Foundation laid for $365m Philex Pharma at SFZ

The process to set up an international complex for pharmaceutical industries at Salalah Free Zone (SFZ) started with the foundation laying ceremony of Philex Pharmaceuticals on Saturday.

The complex, which is to come up with an estimated investment of $365 million, is a strategic partnership between ABELA International and Arab Group for Investment. The investment is in line with the good relations between Qatar and Oman and an attempt to benefit from the promising opportunities in the pharmaceutical industries in the world.

The foundation ceremony was held at the factory site inside the newly constructed SFZ campus under the auspices of Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad al Mehrzi, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of Salalah Free Zone Company. Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud al Busaidy, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar, was also present on the occasion.

The pharmaceutical company would come up on 100,000 square metres area in three phases, as the first phase would cover 10,000 sqm and would be ready for commissioning in another 36 months. South Korean company CTCBIO would provide technical support in the establishment of Philex Pharmaceuticals in Salalah.

According to Waseem Hamad, CEO of Philex Pharmaceuticals, the company would have three production lines for medicines under which more than 100 drugs would be produced.

“The first line is to produce 250 million tonnes of tablets and capsules per year while the second line would focus on ODF (oral doses film) with a target of 100 million tonnes a year and finally on bio technology and vaccines through our South Korean partner CTCBIO, which is renowned name in medicine production technology globally,” said Hamad.

The aim is to serve as a global logistical pharmaceutical hub for local

First in ME with ODF technology, to produce more than 100 medicines