Dubai has just done something that lawyers, investors and life sciences companies should pay close attention to.
On 10 June 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Law No. 17 of 2026 establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority (DLA).
This is not simply another healthcare regulator. The DLA is designed to develop a new cross-sector ecosystem bringing together activities that, in most jurisdictions, sit across multiple regulators: healthcare, wellness, biotechnology, nutrition, fitness, personal care and hospitality. Dubai’s ambition is to integrate these sectors within a coherent regulatory and economic framework focused on extending healthy lifespan.
The Authority’s leadership underscores the strategic importance of the initiative. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, serves as President, while Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, chairs its Board. Longevity is therefore positioned not only as a healthcare objective, but also as an economic priority.
The Law entrusts the DLA with developing and supervising the longevity ecosystem across Dubai, including its free zones, using a science-based and risk-proportionate approach. Rather than replacing existing health regulators, it is intended to provide a framework that supports innovation while coordinating a rapidly emerging industry.
The initiative also aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to make Dubai one of the world’s top three cities to live and work by 2033. It reflects a broader policy direction that has been visible for years: focusing on adding life to years, not simply years to life.
For investors and businesses, this could be the most significant aspect of the reform. A dedicated authority has the potential to reduce regulatory uncertainty, provide clearer pathways for innovative products and services, and help establish standards for an industry that has until now largely fallen between traditional regulatory categories.
Dubai is not merely regulating longevity—it is positioning itself to become one of the first jurisdictions to build a dedicated regulatory framework for the longevity economy.As a result of this measure, all businesses subject to enhanced AML compliance rules, including companies selling jewellery and watches, should review their procedures and prepare for a stricter level of scrutiny by the authorities.