Global biopharmaceutical company Takeda recently hosted an event “Innovation and Hope: Connecting Minds to Transform HAE Patient Care” in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This pivotal gathering brought together leading healthcare professionals to discuss innovative therapies and collaborative strategies for managing Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) in the Middle East.
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 individuals worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of swelling in various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and throat. Symptoms can be unpredictable and may occur at any age and swelling of the upper airways can be particularly dangerous and may lead to fatal asphyxiation. HAE attacks can last up to 5 days and may spread to another location before resolving, and can be triggered by factors such as stress, injuries, hormonal changes and dental procedures. Symptoms typically worsen over the first 24 hours and subside over the next 48–72 hours. These unpredictable symptoms can lead to severe complications, making timely diagnosis and treatment crucial.
To address the gaps in HAE diagnosis and treatment in the region, this event showcased leading HAE healthcare experts from the region through a series of plenary sessions and panel discussions. These sessions raised awareness of both the clinical and societal dimensions of HAE care. It primarily focused on the nuances of local healthcare systems, diagnosis and treatment protocols, while also presenting the latest real-world case studies, clinical findings, and research to improve the lives of HAE patients.
“HAE has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, affecting their emotional well-being, education, careers, and family dynamics,” said Dr. Khaled Sary, General Manager, Takeda West Gulf Cluster. “Our event highlighted our commitment to advancing HAE patient care through innovative therapies and comprehensive support systems. By bringing together healthcare professionals, we aimed to raise awareness of HAE and tackle the diagnostic and treatment challenges in the Kingdom. We hope this event fosters a regional consensus that guides future efforts and helps bridge existing gaps in HAE care.”
Commenting on the event, Dr. Rand Arnaout, Consultant and Section Head of Allergy and Immunology at the Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre-Riyadh, said, “Hereditary Angioedema is an inherited, potentially fatal disease often misdiagnosed, which delays appropriate treatment and significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. This event hosted in Riyadh, KSA has been quite valuable in fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals

across the region to address the diagnosis and treatment challenges. By sharing the latest research and treatment options, we are taking critical steps toward improving patient care and ensuring that HAE patients are diagnosed early and receive the timely, effective treatment they deserve.”
Takeda is dedicated to enhancing access to HAE treatments across the Middle East by fostering regional collaborations and implementing tailored patient care approaches. The emphasis will remain on both short-term and long-term strategies to ensure sustainable improvements in HAE management, ultimately benefiting patients and their families in the region.

Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) has announced its investment in Global Ventures III, an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Global Ventures. The fund size is in excess of $150 million.
The fund will target investing in tech and tech-enabled sectors across Saudi Arabia, MENA, and Sub-Sahara Africa, focusing primarily on Supply Chain Tech, Agritech, Enterprise SaaS, and emerging technologies, including AI and Deep-tech.
Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO and Board Member at SVC said: “Our investment in the venture capital fund by Global Ventures is part of SVC’s Investment in Funds Program, in alignment with our strategy to catalyze venture investments by fund managers investing in Saudi-based startups, especially during their early stages.”
Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner at Global Ventures, added: “We are proud of our deep and continued partnership with SVC, and the investment underscores our continued deep commitment to enabling and building the Saudi Arabian VC and startup ecosystem. The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through.”
SVC is an investment company established in 2018. It is a subsidiary of the SME Bank, part of the National Development Fund. SVC aims to stimulate and sustain financing for startups and SMEs from pre-Seed to pre-IPO through investment in funds and direct investment in startups and SMEs.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 30, 2024

Nine-year-old Fareed Mohammed Felemban, a student of global online education platform 51Talk, delivered a compelling speech at the inaugural Impact Makers Forum, marking a significant milestone as the event’s youngest speaker. The young environmental advocate from Jeddah, who previously spoke at COP29, showcased the emerging influence of Saudi Arabia’s next generation on the global stage.

Speaking on “My Vision for a Green Future,” Fareed presented his insights on environmental protection, drawing from a Saudi perspective. His presentation included practical environmental actions such as tree planting, water conservation, and plastic reduction initiatives, receiving widespread acclaim from the audience.

“Fareed’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of quality online education in developing Saudi youth’s international presence,” said Tom Zeng, MENA GM of 51Talk at 51Talk Saudi Arabia. Since establishing its Middle East headquarters in Saudi Arabia in 2023, 51Talk has helped 400,000 Saudi students enhance their English-speaking abilities through its one-on-one foreign teacher instruction model.

The Impact Makers Forum, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Media, brought together over 300 influencers and industry experts from around the world. The event secured more than 50 cooperation agreements valued at over 1 billion Saudi Riyals, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing prominence in the digital influence sector.

Prior to this appearance, Fareed’s presentation at COP29 garnered significant media attention from major outlets including Al Arabiya, Rotana khalijia, and CGC. His participation in the Impact Makers Forum further solidifies his position as Saudi Arabia’s youngest environmental influencer while demonstrating the success of 51Talk’s mission to empower Saudi youth with global communication skills.

“Through platforms like 51Talk, we’re seeing young Saudis like Fareed confidently step onto the world stage,” added Tom Zeng,MENA GM of 51Talk. “This perfectly aligns with our goal of making quality English education accessible while fostering the next generation of global Saudi voices.”