Longevium Raises $7 Million, Spinneys Expands Saudi Stake, and Dubai Advances Autonomous Logistics - إنت عربي

Longevium Healthcare has closed a $7 million funding round to establish an AI-powered longevity research laboratory at Dubai Science Park, Spinneys plans to raise its ownership in Spinneys Saudi Arabia from 50% to 70% through the acquisition of an additional 20% stake for SAR 18 million (about $4.8 million), and Dubai has launched a new autonomous logistics joint venture, Shift, aimed at deploying driverless vehicles across ports and airports by the end of 2027.

"The facility will operate as a dedicated research and development centre rather than simply serving as an extension of the company’s existing clinic network," Longevium said, outlining the laboratory's role in developing AI-driven healthcare innovations.

Longevium, which currently runs three clinics in Dubai—Jumeirah 3, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Jumeirah Village Circle—employs around 100 doctors and specialists and has treated more than 30,000 patients. The company plans for the new laboratory to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 and to focus on technologies including AI-powered biological age assessment tools, digital twins for personalised health monitoring, early disease detection, regenerative medicine research, and preventive healthcare and long-term wellness solutions.

Spinneys expands Saudi footprint

Dubai-listed grocery retailer Spinneys will buy a further 20% stake in its Saudi subsidiary from Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Hokair Holding Group for SAR 18 million, a move that would take its holding to 70% pending regulatory approvals. Spinneys Saudi Arabia was established in 2022 and has been central to the retailer's regional expansion: in 2025 the company opened two Saudi stores and also entered the Kuwaiti market during the summer.

• Transaction value: SAR 18 million (approx. $4.8 million)
• Post-transaction stake: 70% held by Spinneys
• Strategic aim: expand store network and capture premium grocery demand in Saudi Arabia

Shift aims to commercialise autonomous logistics

Dubai's new venture, Shift, is a partnership between the Dubai Future Foundation and UK autonomous driving technology company Oxa. The initiative targets the "first commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles across Dubai’s ports and airports before the end of 2027," with vehicles intended to transport goods and equipment within logistics zones to boost operational efficiency and workplace safety.

"These investments indicate that autonomous driving technologies in the UAE are moving beyond pilot projects and testing phases towards full commercial deployment," the reporting notes, citing recent sector activity such as Abu Dhabi Investment Office agreements in November 2025 and CargoX’s $250 million raise in June 2026.

The UAE has seen multiple commercialisation moves: in November 2025 the Abu Dhabi Investment Office signed commercial deployment agreements for autonomous mobility technologies covering logistics applications, and UAE-based delivery specialist CargoX raised $250 million in mid-2026. Shift is positioned to capitalise on that momentum by concentrating deployments in ports, airports and logistics hubs.

Outlook

Taken together, the three developments underline distinct but overlapping investment trends across healthcare, retail and logistics in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Longevium’s R&D-focused laboratory seeks to translate clinic-level data—drawn from roughly 100 specialists and more than 30,000 patients—into AI-driven preventive and diagnostic tools. Spinneys’ increased stake in Saudi Arabia signals confidence in expanding consumer demand for premium grocery retail. And Shift targets rapid scaling of autonomous vehicle operations for goods movement, aiming to transform pilot projects into commercially viable logistics services by the end of 2027.