Abu Dhabi has taken another major step towards becoming a global life sciences hub with the launch of Biosphere Labs, the GCC’s first commercially scaled shared biotechnology laboratory facility.
Located in Masdar City and developed in partnership with M42 and Attentive Science, the facility was announced during the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, United States. Biosphere Labs is designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing researchers and biotechnology companies by providing immediate access to advanced laboratory space, specialised scientific equipment, operational support services and industry networks.
The shared-lab model is expected to help start-ups, researchers and life sciences companies reduce the time, cost and complexity involved in developing and scaling new innovations, eliminating the need for major upfront investment in laboratory infrastructure.
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The facility complements Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) cluster, launched in 2025, which aims to create an integrated ecosystem for medical research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare innovation.
Officials say Biosphere Labs will strengthen collaboration between healthcare, research, investment and innovation sectors while helping researchers and companies transform scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions. The facility will be operated by Attentive Science and is expected to accelerate the journey from laboratory research to real-world applications.
Masdar City Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Baghoum described the launch as a defining moment in the city’s life sciences journey, while M42 and Attentive Science highlighted the project’s role in attracting global expertise, fostering innovation and supporting the development of new technologies, therapies and intellectual property.
Biosphere Labs joins a growing network of leading life sciences organisations based in Masdar City, including M42, the Abu Dhabi Biobank, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Insilico Medicine.
The launch underscores Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to biotechnology, precision medicine and healthcare innovation, further cementing its ambition to become a leading regional and international destination for scientific research and life sciences entrepreneurship.
