UAE-Based Endocare Secures Funds To Expand Across The GCC

Endocare, a Dubai-based metabolic health clinic focused on obesity and longevity care, has secured financing from the Germany-based family-owned investment firm RbetaQ Holding to support its expansion in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Founded by Leyla Azizova, Janik Schmalhorst, and Hecham Harb in the UAE in 2023, Endocare offers a hybrid model that integrates medical hormonal therapy with personalized lifestyle interventions, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. The model has resonated strongly with patients in Dubai, where the clinic has built a regulatory, operational, and clinical foundation that Azizova says is ready to scale. 

“We’re expanding now, because the demand for effective, sustainable obesity care in the Middle East has never been higher,” Azizova, co-founder of Endocare, told Inc. Arabia in an interview. “Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have made public health a national priority, and they are investing heavily in innovative, preventative care models.” 

Endocare’s growth arrives at a moment when the Middle East is grappling with escalating rates of obesity, diabetes, and related chronic conditions, creating an urgent need for more integrated, science-based healthcare solutions. “In the UAE, over 66 percent of adults are overweight or obese, and in Saudi Arabia, more than one in five adults are living with diabetes,” Azizova pointed out. “These conditions are not only widespread—they’re striking earlier, and driving up rates of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.” 

From Azizova’s perspective, Endocare aims to fill a gap in traditional healthcare systems, which often treat obesity, diabetes, and hypertension as separate issues with minimal long-term support. “What’s missing in the current system is an integrated approach,” she noted. “Endocare is uniquely positioned to fill this gap. We combine medical treatment, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy, behavioral coaching, diagnostics, and digital tools into one seamless experience. This hybrid model has proven effective in helping patients achieve sustained metabolic improvements—not just short-term weight loss.” 

To further bolster its technology ambitions, Endocare has appointed Prof. Dr. Ashok Kaul, an expert in data science and artificial intelligence, to its board. His involvement is expected to support the development of digital tools that enhance care coordination and improve clinical outcomes. 

Looking ahead, Azizova sees several major shifts that will shape the regional healthcare landscape over the next few years. “Widespread adoption of GLP-1 medications is reshaping the weight loss landscape, but the challenge now is pairing them with sustainable lifestyle change,” she noted. “Digitization of care is accelerating, with patients expecting seamless, tech-enabled health journeys. And preventive, longevity-focused care is moving mainstream, as people increasingly seek not just weight loss, but long-term healthspan.” 

And it is in this landscape that Endocare aims to make its presence felt. “Endocare sits at the intersection of these trends,” Azizova said. “We combine clinical rigor with innovation to lead the next generation of metabolic care in the region.” 

Pictured in the lead image is Endocare's Hecham Harb, Leyla Azizova, Janik Schmalhorst, and Ashok Kaul. Image courtesy Endocare.