Mumbai-headquartered drug firm Wockhardt has set up its first facility in the Middle East in Dubai for the manufacturing of new chemical entities (NCEs) to cater to global markets. The facility is spread over 10,000 sq m, self-sufficient for handling warehousing, manufacturing operations, product testing and product stability, Wockhardt said in a statement. Habil Khorakiwala, Founder-Chairman, Wockhardt, said: "With the new facility in the Middle East, we aim to focus on our commitment to developing NCEs to fight the health issues. "With Wockhardt′s commitment to research and development, we have five breakthrough NCEs that have been accorded Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) status by USFDA.” The five novel antibiotic drugs are in an advanced stage of global clinical development. He added Wockhardt is poised for a quantum leap into the future. Murtaza Khorakiwala, MD, Wockhardt, said: "Wockhardt has dedicated significant resources for the discovery and development of novel antibiotics.”