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Business Upturn
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Saudi Arabia Concludes Landmark BIO 2025 Debut as Kingdom Opens Doors to Global Biotech Collaboration
BOSTON, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saudi Arabia has concluded its landmark debut at the BIO International Convention 2025, having signed more than a dozen partnerships, launched a national biotech accelerator program with Biolabs and established the Kingdom as a global hub for life sciences. Over four days, Saudi delegates showcased an ecosystem ready for collaboration across scientific discovery, clinical research, and advanced therapeutics. The Kingdom's presence spanned the entire biotech value chain – from early research to manufacturing, from regulatory frameworks to commercialization pathways. 'Saudi Arabia is stepping into biotech with intention and scale,' said His Excellency the Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Eng. Abdulaziz AlRamaih. 'Biotech sits at the intersection of our health transformation and economic ambition, and we are investing with that dual mandate in mind.' Partnerships and Programs Take Center Stage Throughout the week, Saudi Arabia hosted one of the most active national pavilions at the conference, convening more than 25 entities across government, research, investment and innovation. More than a dozen new memoranda of understanding were signed with international partners, including leaders in genomics, AI-enabled diagnostics, gene therapy, and biomanufacturing. The Ministry of Health also formally launched its national biotech accelerator program in collaboration with BioLabs, welcoming an inaugural cohort of eight Saudi-founded biotech startups in areas ranging from protein engineering to precision genomics. The launch event brought together venture capitalists, researchers, and biotech executives to discuss the Kingdom's innovation momentum. The Kingdom's Super Session at BIO 2025 featured senior representatives from the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the Saudi National Institute for Health (SNIH), the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The panel revealed how Saudi Arabia is coordinating across policy, clinical infrastructure, and public investment to create a biotech ecosystem built for scale and scientific depth. In parallel, the delegation held more than 50 one-to-one meetings with global biotech firms and visited U.S. innovation hubs to explore collaboration in research, manufacturing, and translational medicine. The Kingdom also participated in a dedicated gathering for Saudi research talent studying in the United States, underscoring the Kingdom's long-term commitment to human capital in health and life sciences. Advancing Genomics and Genetic Medicine The Kingdom's ambition in genomics also drew significant interest. Through the Saudi Genome Program, the Kingdom has developed one of the region's most comprehensive population-specific genomic datasets, paving the way for earlier diagnosis, localized drug development, and new therapeutic approaches for inherited diseases. National screening efforts – led by Saudi Arabia's Public Health Authority, Weqaya – are expanding access to genetic risk detection through prenatal and newborn programs. Institutions like KFSH&RC and KAIMRC continue to drive forward clinical trials and translational research, supporting a growing pipeline of personalized treatments rooted in real-world data. Already, over 130 peer-reviewed publications have leveraged Saudi genomic data to inform rare disease research and advance precision diagnostics. The Kingdom's cell and gene therapy readiness now spans regulation, clinical trials, and talent development, with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's fast-track approval of advanced therapies positioning it as one of the world's most agile regulators. A Platform for the Future Under the National Biotechnology Strategy, with the continued support of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Saudi Arabia is making biotech central to its national transformation, and the health and economic prosperity of its people. The Kingdom concludes BIO 2025 with a clear message: Saudi Arabia is open for collaboration, primed for innovation, and committed to lasting partnerships. About Saudi Biotech The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was proud to debut its first-ever national pavilion at BIO International, being held in Boston June 16-19, 2025. Rooted in Vision 2030, this initiative showcased a fully integrated life sciences ecosystem – combining a future-ready lifestyle, world-class research institutions, streamlined regulation, and digital infrastructure built for speed, scale, and scientific impact. The Kingdom offers a seamless environment for biotech innovation with fast-track clinical trial approvals, robust regulatory alignment via its ML4-designated Food and Drug Authority, and nationwide digital platforms like NPHIES and the world's largest Virtual Hospital. Saudi Biotech brings together the Kingdom's leading health and science entities, including the Ministry of Health, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Saudi National Institute of Health, Public Health Authority, and the Saudi Health Council, all of whom play vital roles in enabling a regulatory environment that supports clinical innovation. It also features institutions powering translational research and IP protection, such as the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Funding and investment facilitators were also present, including the Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and the Saudi Business Center, alongside localization powerhouses like Lifera, Lean, and the Public Investment Fund. Visitors had the opportunity to explore how talent and livability are central to the Kingdom's strategy through participation from the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Premium Residency Center. Finally, NEOM showcased the Kingdom's most ambitious vision – a purpose-built frontier for biotech, precision medicine, and future health. Visit to learn more. Contact:Saudi Biotech [email protected]
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
How AI is decoding multi-omics data to boost health and longevity in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing the future of healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence and omics-based diagnostics to deliver personalized, preventive care. This is part of a broader transformation that frames longevity not just as an individual aspiration but a national priority. Central to this transformation is the integration of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics disciplines into clinical practice — powered by AI. Leading the charge is Rewind, a Saudi Arabia-based company using the technology to pioneer proactive, individualized care. 'At Rewind, we harness the power of AI and omics technologies to shift healthcare from a generalized, reactive model to one that is deeply personalized and proactive,' Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind, told Arab News. 'AI is the engine that makes this vast data actionable. It identifies patterns, predicts health risks, and recommends the most effective interventions for each individual.' He said that 'such a dynamic, data-driven approach' enables healthcare to be 'as unique as the patient it serves.' • Integrating AI with omics-based diagnostics supports early disease detection and predicts health risks. • In cancer care, AI and genomics are used together to match patients with the most effective targeted therapies. • Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK are making major investments in the integration of AI and omics. Omics refers to a group of biological fields ending with the suffix '-omics,' each examining a different layer of biological data on a system-wide scale. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of how the body functions. Transitioning from this broad understanding to actionable insights requires AI's ability to analyze trillions of variables across DNA, protein expression, metabolic changes, and epigenetic shifts. This capability allows practitioners to intervene earlier and more accurately than ever. 'Omics-based diagnostics have already begun to make a profound impact on patient outcomes,' said Zaher. 'The precision enabled by genomics and multi-omics technologies allows us to detect diseases at their earliest molecular stages — often well before any clinical symptoms appear. 'Beyond disease detection, multi-omics approaches help in monitoring disease progression and response to treatments. The result has been an increase in patient satisfaction, as they experience better health outcomes and more personalized care.' Saudi Arabia's commitment to health innovation is evident in both its infrastructure and ambition. National initiatives like the Saudi Genome Program and investments through the Hevolution Foundation are driving the development of a knowledge-based healthcare system aligned with Vision 2030. 'Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has made healthcare innovation a strategic priority,' said Zaher. 'The government has invested heavily in infrastructure that supports cutting-edge research, particularly in AI, genomics, and biotechnology.' This focus is positioning Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global longevity economy, according to Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group. 'Saudi Arabia and its GCC counterparts are strategically positioned to be not just participants but global pioneers in the longevity economy,' Kaminskiy told Arab News. 'With Vision 2030, the Kingdom has set the foundation for integrating economic diversification, healthcare innovation, and AI governance — all key components of a national longevity strategy.' Kaminskiy, who has authored multiple books on AI and healthspan, believes that AI has shifted from a supporting role to something far more central to the field. 'We are now witnessing a paradigm shift where AI is not just an assistant but the architect of next-generation healthcare platforms,' he said. 'Just as fintech redefined personal finance, AI will redefine personal health.' Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in mainstreaming AI and omics-based care into national systems. Zaher of Rewind noted that overcoming these hurdles will require both technological and cultural shifts. 'Integrating AI and precision medicine into a national healthcare system comes with several challenges, the most pressing of which is the need for a robust data infrastructure,' he said. 'Healthcare data is often fragmented or siloed, making it difficult to create a cohesive system that AI can utilize effectively.' Another critical challenge is training healthcare providers to engage with this new era of medicine. Zaher said the integration of AI and precision medicine into clinical practice demands 'a level of technological literacy that has yet to become widespread across the healthcare workforce. 'We need targeted training programs that equip providers with the skills to interpret AI-generated insights and translate them into actionable, patient-centered care,' he added. Looking ahead, Kaminskiy said establishing ethical data governance will be vital to ensuring progress. 'Data is the lifeblood of AI-powered longevity,' he said. 'But it is not just the amount of data that matters — it is the ownership, security, and ethical governance of that data that will define the winners in this domain.' The Hevolution Foundation is playing a key role in funding and shaping the longevity research agenda in the region. According to Zaher, it is 'poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating global healthspan science by providing the funding and resources necessary to drive innovation in aging research. 'Through supporting projects that focus on extending healthspan and preventing age-related diseases, Hevolution is helping to set a global standard for longevity science,' he added. As Saudi Arabia expands its investment in AI-driven healthcare and global collaborations deepen, the boundaries between technology, biology, and medicine are blurring — bringing the goal of healthy aging closer to reality.
