The emirate is moving from planning to implementation with a regulatory framework spanning longevity research, clinical trials, advanced therapies and patient care
Dubai is accelerating plans to establish a regulated market for longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare. The strategy and operating budget of the Dubai Longevity Authority have now been approved, moving the new body from its establishment phase towards implementation.
Created in June 2026, the Dubai Longevity Authority, or DLA, has been given a broad mandate covering the entire healthcare value chain. Its responsibilities extend from research and development and clinical trials to manufacturing, market delivery, specialised clinics and patient care.
From longevity research to patient care
The authority was established under Law No. 17 of 2026 as a dedicated regulator for what Dubai defines as the Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health sector. Its objective is not simply to extend lifespan, but to develop therapies, preventive interventions and healthcare models aimed at increasing the number of years people live in good health.
The DLA is developing an activity-based licensing framework alongside minimum standards, compliance mechanisms and regulatory oversight. This is intended to provide a structured environment for companies working in life sciences, biotechnology, medical innovation and advanced therapies.
“Dubai’s development model places people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life at the heart of its priorities,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Dubai Longevity Authority.
He said the strategy was designed to create an ecosystem bringing together innovation, talent, investment and regulation while attracting expertise in life sciences, biotechnology and medical innovation.
Controlled environment for new health technologies
A central element of the next phase will be the authority’s Minimum Viable Product programme. Selected innovators will be able to test and develop products and services within a supervised regulatory environment before potentially scaling them more widely.
The model is intended to allow regulation and innovation to develop in parallel rather than requiring new healthcare concepts to wait for a fully established market framework.
Dubai is also planning internationally applicable frameworks for data and intellectual property while developing partnerships with government bodies, federal authorities, investors and private-sector companies.
Building an advanced healthcare ecosystem
The authority’s remit extends beyond regulation. Dubai wants to develop an ecosystem encompassing investment, intellectual property, specialised talent and healthcare infrastructure.
This could be particularly significant for companies developing advanced therapeutic products and services. When the authority was established in June, its mandate included the licensing and supervision of research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing, healthcare delivery and patient clinics.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Dubai Longevity Authority, said the approvals would allow the organisation to advance towards licensed activity and institutional investment.
“We are building a globally competitive ecosystem for the future of health from first principles, spanning the Longevity, Wellness and Advanced Health sector,” Almarri said.
Dubai links healthcare innovation with economic strategy
The longevity initiative forms part of a broader effort to develop advanced healthcare as both a health and economic sector. It supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Social Agenda 33, while seeking to attract international companies, researchers, investors and specialised professionals.
For Dubai’s international healthcare sector, the development could eventually have implications beyond research and biotechnology. A regulatory system covering advanced therapies, specialised clinics and patient care provides infrastructure that could also strengthen the emirate’s position as a destination for patients seeking innovative healthcare services.
The authority will now continue developing its licensing and regulatory structures, expand the pilot programme and begin launching its first market-facing initiatives. Strategic partnerships, investor support and frameworks governing data and intellectual property are also among the priorities for the next phase.
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