Barbados is making a strategic leap into the global life sciences industry with a monumental new development. Export Barbados (BIDC) and Dubai-based EarlyHealth Group (EHG) have signed a Letter of Intent to establish EarlyHealth City Barbados, a US$200 million world-class pharmaceutical and life sciences cluster.
A Transformative Project for the Island
The agreement, announced on November 14, 2025, marks a significant step in positioning Barbados as the life sciences hub of the Caribbean. The project will be anchored in Newton, Christ Church, and is designed to attract international pharmaceutical partners, drive industrialization through sustainable contract manufacturing, and significantly expand laboratory and clinical research capacity for Barbados and the wider region.
Prime Minister the Hon Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, has championed the initiative, calling it a "transformative project" for the island. She emphasized that the project extends beyond physical infrastructure, stating it will "drive job creation and build local scientific and technical talent, allowing Barbadians to play a central role in developing a new industry." She identified it as a cornerstone of the nation's economic future.
Inside the US$200 Million Life Sciences Hub
Spanning 45 acres, EarlyHealth City will be a formidable complex. Its core will consist of three massive domes providing over 250,000 square feet of dedicated contract manufacturing space. This facility will be equipped to produce a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including oral solids, semi-solids, liquids, and advanced biologics.
The manufacturing hub will feature integrated capabilities for cell cultivation, upstream and downstream bioprocessing, and will be capable of full scale-up to commercial release. Critically, all operations will adhere to stringent United States and European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, ensuring global quality and compliance.
EHG, a global pharmaceutical services company operating in 60 countries, has already secured Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several key clients, including Acarpia Farmaceutici Srl, Bioeq AG, Formycon AG, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (SOBI), and multiple manufacturers from Asia, Europe, and South America.
Cybersecurity, Cricket, and Community
In a unique blend of technology and community, the City will incorporate a fourth dome housing a state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre (SOC). This facility, designed and managed by EHG's partner Cyb3r Limited, will utilize an AI-driven cybersecurity and data-analytics infrastructure to safeguard the cluster's digital assets, manage regulatory data, and provide secure network operations.
The same dome will also feature an unexpected addition: a 30,000 square foot high-performance cricket training facility operated by the global sports company DriveFITT. This facility aims to integrate cutting-edge biomechanics and recovery technology to enhance athletic performance, with a specific focus on training and nurturing new generations of West Indies fast bowlers.
Upon completion, EarlyHealth City Barbados is projected to host a community of more than 1,000 professionals. The development will include wellness amenities, restaurants, and collaborative workspaces, creating a modern, sustainable ecosystem. Dr. Dan A. Renout, Chief Executive Officer of EarlyHealth Group, summarized the vision, stating, "EarlyHealth City Barbados is more than a manufacturing site. It is a platform for transformation... we are creating an ecosystem that strengthens supply resilience, generates skilled employment, and connects the Caribbean to the global pharmaceutical industry."
