WHX 2027 will add dedicated pharma, biotech, longevity and wellness sectors as Gulf healthcare investment accelerates and more than 90,000 visitors are expected in Dubai
World Health Expo is significantly broadening its scope for its 2027 edition in Dubai, adding four sectors focused on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, longevity and wellness. The expansion reflects rapid investment in healthcare and life sciences across the Gulf as well as growing international interest in preventive medicine, healthy ageing and advanced therapies.
Scheduled for January 25 to 28, 2027, WHX will take place across Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City and Dubai World Trade Centre. Organizers expect more than 90,000 unique attendees and 4,200 exhibitors, with representatives from more than 195 countries.
Gulf healthcare investment reaches new scale
The expansion comes against a backdrop of substantial healthcare spending across the GCC. According to PwC Middle East figures cited by the organizers, healthcare expenditure in the region is projected to reach $159 billion by 2029. More than 160 healthcare projects with a combined value of approximately $53.2 billion are currently underway.
Pharmaceuticals are among the strongest growth areas. IQVIA estimates that the global prescription medicine market reached approximately $1.7 trillion in 2025, an increase of 10% year on year. Pharmaceutical sales in the Middle East and Africa grew by 18%, the highest rate among the regions analyzed.
Solenne Singer, Senior Vice President – Healthcare at inD, said investment was expanding rapidly into pharmaceuticals, biotech, longevity and wellness, representing a fundamental shift in where the healthcare industry sees future value. Bringing together organizations involved in developing, financing, regulating and implementing new healthcare solutions would, she said, connect these expanding sectors with the wider healthcare ecosystem and international investors following developments in the GCC.
Longevity becomes a multitrillion-dollar market
One of the most striking developments is the growing economic significance of longevity. Bank of Singapore estimates cited by WHX project that the global longevity economy could reach $5.4 trillion by 2034, with annual growth of around 6% to 7%.
The UAE is developing into an important regional market. According to figures attributed to the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the country's longevity market is estimated at $32 billion in 2026, compared with $19 billion in 2020.
The new Longevity and Wellness sectors at WHX will concentrate on prevention, healthy ageing, precision health and wellness. A four-day Healthspan Stage at Dubai World Trade Centre will bring together government representatives, healthcare providers, researchers and medical organizations to discuss areas including metabolic health, ageing science, wearable technology, diagnostic data and evidence-based approaches to longevity.
Dubai strengthens its life sciences ambitions
The exhibition's expansion also mirrors Dubai's efforts to establish itself as an international center for life sciences. The Dubai Longevity Authority, launched in June 2026, has a mandate covering the longevity value chain and forms part of the emirate's ambition to rank among the world's top three cities for quality of life and healthy life expectancy.
Dubai is also attracting investment in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, using Financial Times fDi Markets data, the emirate ranked first globally for greenfield foreign direct investment projects in life sciences in 2025.
Dubai Science Park provides another component of this ecosystem, with more than 90 laboratories and around 6,500 professionals.
Saudi Arabia also targets biotechnology growth
The trend extends beyond the UAE. Saudi Arabia's National Biotechnology Strategy aims to make the Kingdom the leading biotechnology hub in the Middle East and North Africa by 2030.
By 2040, biotechnology is targeted to contribute more than $34.6 billion to Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP, illustrating the scale of regional ambitions to develop life sciences as an economic sector alongside healthcare.
At WHX, the new Biotech sector will bring together companies, researchers, regulators and investors. A Biotech & Life Sciences Forum will examine areas ranging from genomics and precision medicine to clinical trials, biomanufacturing and patient access.
Dubai prepares for a global healthcare gathering
The pharmaceutical sector will similarly connect drug manufacturers, biotechnology companies, researchers, investors and healthcare organizations. A new Connections Programme will add dedicated networking sessions across two lounges, intended to facilitate contacts between different parts of the international healthcare industry.
WHX 2027 will form part of World Healthcare Week alongside WHX Tech and WHX Leaders. Together, the events will combine healthcare trade, digital health, investment and industry leadership in Dubai during one week.
With thousands of exhibitors and participants expected from virtually every international market, the expanded event also reinforces Dubai's role as a meeting point between the rapidly growing Gulf healthcare economy and the global pharmaceutical, biotech, longevity and wellness industries.
For more information, please visit: https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/dubai/.
Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of WTX