M42 expands footprint in Brazil, AD Ports sells assets to Aldar, and another wager on autonomous aviation

M42 goes shopping in São Paulo

Abu Dhabi healthtech group M42 expands further into Latin America, with its renal care arm Diaverum acquiring four dialysis clinics in São Paulo state, according to statements (here and here). The acquisition lifts Diaverum’s footprint in Brazil to 18 clinics and three vascular access centers. The acquired network delivers more than 220k treatments annually.

Why now: M42 said the acquisition supports its strategy of building globally connected care platforms from Abu Dhabi, making good on its expansion plans announced some two years ago. The group has already been building out its international footprint, having expanded into Saudi Arabia and Bahrain last year while also taking an undisclosed stake in UK biotech firm Juvenescence.

… And why Brazil: Brazil’s chronic kidney disease burden is significant, with more than 10 mn people affected, making it one of the largest growth markets for specialist renal services.

AD Ports sells Kezad warehouses to Aldar for AED 650 mn

AD Ports offloads its warehouse portfolio, Aldar beefs it up: AD Ports sold three warehouses — spanning 161k sqm of leasable area — in Khalifa Economic Zone (Kezad) Logistics Park to Aldar Properties for AED 650 mn, adding another step to the asset-recycling program it launched last year, according to a statement. This sale alone covers 65% of AD Ports’ minimum AED 1 bn asset-monetization target for 2026.

Aldar has been absorbing some of AD Ports’ warehouse portfolio, with two warehouses in Kezad sold to Aldar for AED 570 mn in November 2025. AD Ports also sold Kezad Logistics Park Free Zone 3 to Mair Group for AED 295 mn in January.

Another wager on autonomous aviation

Abu Dhabi-based Remah International Group has signed an agreement with US aerospace and defense technology company Merlin to explore introducing autonomous aviation capabilities in the Emirates, according to a press release. The tie-up will assess aircraft platforms and use cases for Merlin’s AI-powered autonomy stack across civil and defense applications.

Why it matters now: Merlin said autonomy can improve operational resilience, reduce risk to human crews, and extend mission endurance — themes likely to resonate as the UAE reassesses defense priorities after repeated drone attacks exposed the cost challenge of using expensive interceptors against cheaper aerial threats.

It also fits a broader push into autonomous defense systems: Edge previously formed a USD 200 mn joint venture with US-based Anduril to develop autonomous technologies for civil and military use in the Emirates.