BIOPharma-MEA
Biopharma-MEA is a Dubai-based pharmaceutical master distributor that brings innovative biotech and niche medicines from multinational manufacturers to patients across the Middle East and Africa, specializing in rare genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and oncology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BIOPharma-MEA does
Biopharma-MEA is a Dubai-based pharmaceutical master distributor that brings innovative biotech and niche products from multinational manufacturers to patients across the Middle East and Africa. Founded in 2007 by Dr. Mohamed Ramzy and operationally led by General Manager Tamer Eissa, the company has grown to exceed $140 million in turnover with more than 75 employees. The portfolio spans rare genetic disorders (cystic fibrosis, mucopolysaccharidosis, phenylketonuria, CLN2/Batten disease, sickle cell disease), infectious diseases (hepatitis C, hepatitis B, HIV, COVID-19, invasive fungal infections), cancer via the ANKTIVA immunotherapy, thrombosis via the LEO Pharma portfolio, and infertility treatments with gonadotropins.
The business model is master distribution: Biopharma-MEA handles regulatory strategy, market access, local medical education, pharmacovigilance, and commercialization execution for its multinational partners, then routes product through a network of local distributors and wholesalers to reach healthcare systems. Active manufacturer partners include ImmunityBio (ANKTIVA for bladder and lung cancers across Saudi Arabia and MENA), LEO Pharma (thrombosis in Saudi Arabia), and Gilead. Revenue is generated via transaction fees on distribution, with pricing set by manufacturer partners. Recent strategic activity includes a wholly owned Saudi subsidiary, SFDA approvals for ANKTIVA in 2026, and ongoing UAE regulatory discussions to extend the MENA footprint.
BIOPharma-MEA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BIOPharma-MEA
- Legal name
- Biopharma Middle East & Africa
- Website
- https://biopharma-mea.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Biopharma-MEA is a Dubai-based pharmaceutical master distributor that brings innovative biotech and niche medicines from multinational manufacturers to patients across the Middle East and Africa, specializing in rare genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and oncology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BIOPharma-MEA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Distribution
- NAICS
- Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers (4251)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Health, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAJ)
Keywords
Where BIOPharma-MEA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
BIOPharma-MEA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Distribution: Biopharma-MEA generates revenue by distributing innovative pharmaceutical products from multinational partners to healthcare systems and patients across the Middle East and Africa. The company serves as master distributor handling regulatory positioning, market access strategies, local medical education, marketing, commercialization, and pharmacovigilance support.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
BIOPharma-MEA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BIOPharma-MEA acts as a master distributor for multinational pharmaceutical companies across the Middle East and Africa, specializing in niche and biotech products for rare genetic disorders and infectious diseases. The company provides end-to-end market access services including regulatory strategy, local medical education, marketing, commercialization execution, pharmacovigilance, logistics, and financial support to its manufacturing partners.
Product overview
Biopharma-MEA is a pharmaceutical distribution company specializing in niche and biotech products across the Middle East and Africa. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the company operates as a master distributor providing market access for multinational pharmaceutical companies. The portfolio spans rare genetic disorders (Cystic Fibrosis, Mucopolysaccharidosis, Phenylketonuria, CLN2/Batten Disease, Sickle Cell Disease, Hemophilia), infectious diseases (Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV, COVID-19, Invasive Fungus Infections), infertility treatments with gonadotropins, and partnership products including the LEO Pharma Thrombosis Portfolio and ImmunityBio's ANKTIVA for cancer treatment. The company functions as a pharmaceutical importer and distributor rather than a technology product platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) Treatment Curative hepatitis C therapeutics distributed by BIOPharma-MEA across the Middle East and Africa for patients with chronic HCV infection.
- HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Treatment Innovative HBV therapeutics distributed by BIOPharma-MEA for managing hepatitis B infections in the Middle East and Africa.
- HIV Treatment Innovative HIV therapeutics distributed by BIOPharma-MEA across the Middle East and Africa for patients requiring chronic disease management.
- IFI (Invasive Fungal Infection) Treatment Antifungal therapeutics covering polyenes, azoles, allylamines, and echinocandins drug classes, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA for life-threatening invasive fungal infections in immunosuppressed patients.
- COVID-19 Treatment Pharmacologic COVID-19 therapeutics distributed by BIOPharma-MEA across the Middle East and Africa.
- Cystic Fibrosis Treatment CFTR-mutation-targeted therapeutics for cystic fibrosis patients, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA in the Middle East and Africa.
- MPS (Mucopolysaccharidosis) Treatment Therapeutics for MPS lysosomal storage disorders, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA as part of its rare-disease portfolio.
- Achondroplasia Treatment Therapeutics for achondroplasia distributed by BIOPharma-MEA to address the most common form of skeletal dysplasia characterized by disproportionate short stature.
- CLN2 (Batten Disease) Treatment Therapeutics for CLN2 (Batten disease), a rapidly progressive childhood neurodegenerative disorder and leading cause of dementia in children and adolescents, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA.
- PKU (Phenylketonuria) Treatment Therapeutics for phenylketonuria and hyperphenylalaninaemia, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA to manage elevated phenylalanine from PAH gene mutations.
- Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Therapeutics for sickle cell disease distributed by BIOPharma-MEA to address complications from atypical hemoglobin molecules.
- Infertility Treatment Full fertility management portfolio of urinary and recombinant gonadotropins for ovulation induction, IUI, ICSI, and IVF treatments, distributed by BIOPharma-MEA across MENA.
- LEO Pharma Thrombosis Portfolio Exclusive commercialization of LEO Pharma's Thrombosis Portfolio in Saudi Arabia under a master-distribution agreement with BIOPharma-MEA.
- ANKTIVA (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) FDA-approved ANKTIVA immunotherapy for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, commercialized in MENA through BIOPharma-MEA under partnership with ImmunityBio and Cigalah Healthcare.
- End-to-end market access services for multinational pharma partners Full-service market access offering for multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers, including regulatory strategy, market access analysis, local medical education, on-ground commercialization, pharmacovigilance, logistics, and financial support across MENA.
Companies that use BIOPharma-MEA
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BIOPharma-MEA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BIOPharma-MEA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ImmunityBiocoreImmunityBio partnered with Biopharma-MEA and Cigalah Healthcare to launch ANKTIVA (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) in Saudi Arabia for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Biopharma-MEA established a wholly owned subsidiary in Saudi Arabia to support physicians and healthcare systems. Distribution was achieved within two months of the partnership announcement, ahead of the February-announced deadline. The partnership is expanding across the broader MENA region with ongoing discussions with UAE regulatory authorities.
- Cigalah HealthcarecoreCigalah Healthcare partnered with Biopharma-MEA and ImmunityBio to commercialize ANKTIVA for bladder and lung cancers across the MENA region. The three companies are working together to expand access to immunotherapy treatments for cancer patients in the Middle East and North Africa.
- LEO PharmacoreBiopharma-MEA entered into an exclusive agreement with LEO Pharma to commercialize the Thrombosis Portfolio in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration represents a significant stride towards enhancing patient care in Saudi Arabia by addressing the need for treatment options in thrombosis. The partnership aligns with Biopharma-MEA's commitment to bringing healthcare solutions to the region.
- GileadminorGilead is listed as a partner on Biopharma-MEA's website. The partnership involves providing Gilead's pharmaceutical products to patients across the Middle East and Africa region.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BIOPharma-MEA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals: Jordan-headquartered, London-listed pharmaceutical company with both manufacturing and substantial branded/generic distribution across the MENA region. Highly comparable business model combining specialty pharma distribution with a broad MENA footprint.
- Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries): UAE-based pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor headquartered in the same Dubai corridor as BIOPharma-MEA. Comparable MENA-centric specialty pharma distribution and manufacturing operations across branded generics and specialty products.
- Tabuk Pharmaceuticals: Saudi Arabia-based pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor with a broad MENA distribution network and a focus on branded specialty products. Comparable regional specialty pharma distribution play, especially given Saudi market importance.
- SPIMACO Addwaeih: Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries & Medical Appliances Corporation, a leading Saudi pharma manufacturer and distributor operating across MENA. Directly comparable regional specialty distribution and licensing model with multinational partners.
- Neopharma: Abu Dhabi-based pharmaceutical manufacturer and in-licensing partner operating across the GCC. Comparable model of partnering with multinational innovators for regional distribution and in-licensed specialty products.
- Acino: Switzerland-headquartered specialty pharmaceutical company with an explicit MENA focus and a portfolio of in-licensed and acquired specialty products distributed across emerging markets. Closely comparable commercial-out-licensing and distribution model.
- MS Pharma: Jordan-based regional pharmaceutical company with manufacturing and specialty distribution across the MENA region. Comparable in its regional breadth and reliance on in-licensing arrangements with multinational pharma companies.
- Alvogen: US-headquartered specialty generics and branded pharmaceutical company with significant MENA commercialization partnerships and an emerging markets distribution focus. Comparable in-licensing and regional commercialization approach.
Broad incumbents
- Sanofi (MENA operations): Global biopharmaceutical company with established direct MENA operations and specialty product lines (rare disease, vaccines, immunology). Relevant as a potential direct market entrant that could bypass master distributors like BIOPharma-MEA.
- Roche (MENA operations): Global pharmaceutical major with a strong specialty and rare disease franchise and growing direct presence across the Middle East. Relevant broad incumbent as both a potential partner and a potential competitor to BIOPharma-MEA's specialist distribution role.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BIOPharma-MEA social profiles
Digital presenceBIOPharma-MEA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BIOPharma-MEA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
BIOPharma-MEA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BIOPharma-MEA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BIOPharma-MEA
What does BIOPharma-MEA do?
BIOPharma-MEA acts as a master distributor for multinational pharmaceutical companies across the Middle East and Africa, specializing in niche and biotech products for rare genetic disorders and infectious diseases. The company provides end-to-end market access services including regulatory strategy, local medical education, marketing, commercialization execution, pharmacovigilance, logistics, and financial support to its manufacturing partners.
Is BIOPharma-MEA a public or private company?
BIOPharma-MEA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was BIOPharma-MEA founded?
BIOPharma-MEA was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is BIOPharma-MEA based?
BIOPharma-MEA is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does BIOPharma-MEA make money?
One revenue line is on record: pharmaceutical Distribution.
Who are BIOPharma-MEA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries), Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, SPIMACO Addwaeih, Neopharma, Acino, MS Pharma and Alvogen. Broad incumbents are Sanofi (MENA operations) and Roche (MENA operations).
Does BIOPharma-MEA have an API?
No public API is recorded for BIOPharma-MEA.
What industry is BIOPharma-MEA in?
BIOPharma-MEA's product category is Pharmaceutical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAJAB, Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors, with a secondary code of BPADANAJ, Health, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Regulatory Cooperation. Its NAICS code is 4251 and its SIC code is 5122.