Mubadala Healthcare on Sunday announced that the first phase of its National Reference Laboratory (NRL) project for the UAE will begin operations later this year.

The 12,000-square-foot lab, which will be based in the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), aims to improve turnaround times on critical tests for UAE patients, many of which currently have to be sent overseas.

The project is the result of a partnership between Mubadala Healthcare and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), one of the world’s largest clinical laboratory companies, news agency WAM reported.

Mubadala said it had received “significant interest” in the NRL’s services from around the GCC, adding that phase two was scheduled to open in the Mussafah area of Abu Dhabi in 2010.

The second phase will see the NRL ramp up capacity to offer a full range of reference laboratory services carried out locally, reversing the trend of having to send tests abroad.

“The demand for world-class, specialised healthcare services is growing rapidly in the UAE,” said Mark Erhart, executive director of Mubadala Healthcare.

“Currently, a large number of samples are sent abroad for testing. Our goal is to develop the infrastructure and expertise in the UAE that will help reduce test turn-around times and associated costs, as well as delays to critical diagnoses and subsequent treatment for patients.”

About Mubadla Healthcare

Mubadala Healthcare, a division of Mubadala Development Company, is specifically dedicated to investment in strategic, high value and economically sustainable projects that meaningfully enhance the private healthcare infrastructure of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Mubadala Healthcare’s investment focus includes patient care delivery and ancillary services, biotechnology, medical equipment and device manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. In line with Mubadala Development Company’s vision and mission, we evaluate potential projects on both their likely commercial returns as well as on their socio-economic impact, with a view to making substantial contributions to the quality of life in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

In our healthcare services investments, we aim to provide the highest international standards of care and superior clinical outcomes for patients in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. A key objective is to address the needs of patients currently traveling abroad for treatment. Our goal is to create a robust and fully integrated private healthcare infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, designed around the needs of the patient and with an absolute commitment to quality