In a historic gathering that underscored Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 and its National Biotechnology Strategy, Lifera hosted a groundbreaking panel discussion titled ‘Elevating Saudi Biotech to Global Heights’ on October 28, 2024. The event brought together some of the most prominent names in biotechnology for the first time, including:
I. Dr. Noubar Afeyan (PhD.) – Founder & CEO, Flagship Pioneering
II. Dr. Vik Bajaj (PhD.) – Managing Director, Foresite Capital
III. Bob Nelsen – Co-Founder & Managing Director, ARCH Venture Partners
IV. Andrea Ponti – Founder & Managing Partner, GHO Capital
who shared transformative insights on the role of biotechnology in addressing regional and global challenges.
Moderated by Dr. Sara Althari, Founder & Managing Partner of The Althari Group (TAG.), the panel explored themes critical to advancing Saudi Arabia’s National Biotechnology Strategy. From fostering innovation to investing in cutting-edge technologies, the session highlighted the Kingdom’s potential to lead the regional biotech revolution while contributing to global advancements for humanity. With the global biotechnology market value projected to grow from cUSD$483 billion in 2024 to cUSD$546 billion by year-end 2025, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 13% – this a clear opportunity for The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with advancements beneficial for the people of the nation.
Biotechnology – A Pillar of Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its National Biotechnology Strategy aim to position the Kingdom as a regional hub for innovation, contributing to the global biotech industry while enhancing self-sufficiency in areas like vaccine production, genomics, and precision medicine. The Lifera panel provided a platform to discuss actionable steps toward achieving these goals.
“Saudi Arabia’s commitment to biotechnology aligns with a global mission to solve some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare,” said Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Founder & CEO of Flagship Pioneering and co-founder of Moderna. “This is a unique opportunity for the Kingdom to lead in areas like pandemic preparedness, chronic disease management, and the integration of precision medicine across healthcare systems.”
The session reinforced the message that biotechnology could play a transformative role in tackling chronic diseases prevalent in the region, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, while also addressing global health crises.
Collaboration emerged as a central theme with the panel highlighting how partnerships across government entities, academic institutions, and private sector players could accelerate Saudi Arabia’s growth as a biotechnology leader. “Biotechnology is a deeply collaborative industry that thrives on partnerships,” said Bob Nelsen, Co-Founder & Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners. “To become a regional leader, the Kingdom must continue fostering an environment where innovators, investors, and scientists can come together to create transformative solutions. Saudi Arabia has the capital, vision, and drive to make this happen.”
The discussion called for greater regional data-sharing, joint ventures, and research collaborations to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits from the collective expertise of the global biotech community.
Harnessing AI and Data for Regional Impact
The transformative role of artificial intelligence and data in advancing biotechnology, particularly in areas like drug discovery, disease prevention, and personalised medicine emerged as a key point of discussion. “Data is the foundation of biotechnology, and Saudi Arabia’s ability to build and leverage a robust data ecosystem will be key to its success,” said Dr. Vik Bajaj, Managing Director of Foresite Capital. “By creating datasets that represent unique regional populations, the Kingdom can not only drive local advancements but also contribute significantly to the global understanding of disease and treatment.”
The strategic vision of Lifera has already noted the potential of AI-driven innovations to personalise healthcare for regional populations, addressing genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors unique to the Middle East. Through the creation of Lifera Omics in January 2024 and the launch of bioinformatics solutions for genetic testing and drug discovery planned for May 2025, Lifera is establishing capacity to improve the quality of genetic tests offered to patients in Saudi Arabia whilst at the same time developing capabilities to align and curate large datasets for research and development. Through various partnerships, Lifera Omics has differentiated clinical diagnostic capabilities and access to Saudi patient consented data highly enriched for rare diseases. Globally recognised Saudi human geneticist, Professor Fowzan AlKuraya, joined Lifera Omics as Chief Genomics and Medical Officer and is building a team of clinical geneticists and bioinformaticians to deliver innovative data-driven solutions to patients in Saudi Arabia aligned with global initiatives in research and development. The integration of AI into biotechnology offers opportunities to develop treatments tailored to the specific needs of Saudi Arabia’s citizens as well as the wider region.
The discussion turned to the essential infrastructure and talent development required to support Saudi Arabia’s biotech aspirations. From advanced manufacturing facilities to streamlined regulatory frameworks, the forum stressed that building a robust ecosystem is key to scaling innovation.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of biotechnology,” said Andrea Ponti, Founder & Managing Partner of GHO Capital. “Investments in state-of-the-art facilities and its focus on creating a streamlined, supportive regulatory environment position The Kingdom to be a global leader. The nation is uniquely placed to scale biotech innovations not just for its population but for the entire region.”
Equally important is the development of human capital. A call for greater investment in training programs, academic partnerships, and incentives to attract top global talent to Saudi Arabia. “We need to think about people as much as we think about technology,” added Ponti. “Biotech is a deeply human endeavour, and the Kingdom’s ability to cultivate and retain talent will be a decisive factor in its success.” To enable the development of Saudi Arabia’s biotechnology sector, Lifera sent its first cohort of trainees to its customer sites in 2024 to be trained in sterile drug product manufacturing and plans include training approximately 200 individuals through to 2029 in biomanufacturing and genomics.
Illuminating Saudi Arabia’s Path to Life Science Leadership
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward becoming a leader in biotechnology, the panellists provided targeted advice on how the Kingdom can realise its ambitious Vision 2030 goals. Looking further ahead, the global market is expected to reach in excess of a trillion USD$ by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.27% during the 2025-2033 period. Central to their insights was the importance of strategic planning, collaboration, and investing in distinct areas that play to Saudi Arabia’s strengths.
“Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to lead by example,” said Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Founder & CEO of Flagship Pioneering. “By setting bold, long-term goals—whether that’s addressing specific diseases or pioneering advancements in climate-related health challenges—the Kingdom can demonstrate that it is not only a regional leader but also a global innovator.”
Dr. Afeyan further emphasized the need for ambition and focus: “To make those miracles happen, Saudi Arabia must think big—whether it’s developing a universal vaccine, eradicating a specific disease, or tackling the health impacts of climate change. The Kingdom has the resources and vision to aim high and achieve transformative results.”
The need for unity across sectors was reiterated. Bob Nelsen, Co-Founder & Managing Director of ARCH Venture Partners, emphasized, “Achieving these goals requires deep and sustained collaboration—across borders, disciplines, and industries. Saudi Arabia is perfectly positioned to leverage its resources and geography to become a hub for transformative innovation.” He further advised, “To truly lead, you cannot aim for 70% success in too many areas. Instead, focus on achieving 100% excellence in a select few, becoming a world-class leader in those domains.”
Talent cultivation was another critical factor. “Biotechnology thrives on human capital,” noted Andrea Ponti, Founder & Managing Partner of GHO Capital. “Saudi Arabia must invest in building a skilled workforce, forging academic partnerships, and creating incentives to attract global expertise.”
By embracing these strategies, Saudi Arabia can solidify its position as a pioneer in the life sciences, shaping the future of global healthcare and innovation.
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