CPHI Middle East Sees Domestic Manufacturing Expansion in Saudi Arabia

The first CPHI Middle East event, to be held Dec. 10–12, 2024 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, is expected to be host to 30,000 pharma professionals, according to the event’s planners. According to CPHI, the region is planning to expand its domestic manufacturing capabilities as new technology investments are poured into the market.

Indian contract development and manufacturing organizations are expected to invest in the region as they support emerging biotechs that have product development in India, according to CPHI, with more than 80 Indian companies exhibiting at the event. There are a total of 400 companies exhibiting, with more than 65 from Europe and 90 from China.

“The event is held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Health, who will be among more than 160 experts presenting at the event,” CPHI stated in a press release (1). “A Ministerial Panel on 10 December will outline the Kingdom’s strategy to develop a biopharma ecosystem, in alignment with the Kingdom’s vision to be the leading biotech hub in MENA [Middle East and Northern Africa] by 2030 and globally by 2040. The Kingdom has ambitious plans to reduce its reliance on imported drugs. In fact, currently, Saudi Arabia imports over 81% of its generic medicines and 94% of its medical devices, however, by 2030, the Kingdom aims to produce 40% of its drug needs domestically.”

Hala Audi, CEO of UNIZIMA—which specializes in partnerships for bioproduction facilities in emerging market—is a keynote speaker at the event and will discuss building biologics capabilities in emerging markets.

“The event’s success is just another indicator of the significant investment underway in the region,” said Audi in the press release (1). “The rate of change is only accelerating, and the Kingdom is building pharma infrastructure at pace. The [g]overnment is rightly driving the momentum, by focusing on its strengths—a sizeable domestic market, growing scientific and medical talent, and financing power. I believe that with the right technology partnerships, the region is poised to build a biotech ecosystem that will compete with the best globally. Next generation technologies for vaccines and therapeutics including, for instance, RNA based treatments offer an opportunity for KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] and the region to leapfrog and lead the way in biotech.”

The conference agenda will include a variety of topics related to the future of pharmaceutical development in the Middle East and will span four show-floor theaters. Panel discussions will include talks on the expansion of Saudi Arabia’s domestic manufacturing hub.

“CPHI Middle East is set to be the portfolio’s most successful launch to date – with incredibly impressive attendee and exhibitor numbers,” April Hung, brand manager for CPHI Middle East, stated in the release. “This level of interest reflects the region’s ambitions and strong demand for partnerships. The public–private collaboration here is impressive, and by bringing CPHI to Saudi Arabia, we’re helping accelerate the development of partnerships and supply ecosystems that will fuel growth over the next five years. We’re thrilled to launch the show and play a role in building a new ‘heart of pharma’ in the Middle East.”

Reference

1. CPHI. Saudi Arabia Poised to Expand Domestic Manufacturing Eco-system as 30,000 Attendees join Inaugural CPHI Middle East. Press Release. Dec. 9, 2024.