UAE-based Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) plans to invest Dhs1.23bn ($335m) over the next three years to build new factories and expand abroad, reported Gulf News. Julphar, the biggest pharmaceutical firm in the UAE, will set up seven new manufacturing plants in Ras Al Khaimah and open manufacturing facilities in seven countries. Abdul Razzaq Al Yousef, Julphar's chief executive, said the company was also planning to open a chain of retail pharmacies across the Mena region.