Saudi Biotech Strategy: $34.6B Bet on Genomics, Vaccines, and Deeptech
Saudi Arabia is making a calculated move to rewire its healthcare and industrial base through biotechnology. The National Biotechnology Strategy, unveiled as part of Vision 2030, outlines a multi-decade plan to localize biomanufacturing, scale genomic medicine, and build vaccine sovereignty while contributing $34.6 billion to the non-oil GDP by 2040.
This isn’t a moonshot. It’s a methodical pivot toward deeptech-enabled health security, with four strategic pillars: vaccines, biomanufacturing, genomics, and plant optimization. Each is designed to reduce import dependency, stimulate R&D, and position the Kingdom as a regional, and eventually global biotech hub.
Vaccine Manufacturing: From Pandemic Lessons to MENA Exports
Saudi Arabia’s vaccine ambitions are rooted in pandemic-era urgency. The strategy calls for end-to-end manufacturing capabilities, enabling the Kingdom to respond faster to infectious disease threats and supply neighboring markets. The goal is not just self-sufficiency, but regional leadership in late-stage vaccine development.
This includes investment in R&D platforms and regulatory infrastructure to support innovation. The Kingdom’s geographic and logistical positioning makes it a viable node for MENA-wide distribution, especially as global supply chains remain fragmented.
Biomanufacturing and Biosimilars: Cutting Costs, Building Capacity
The Kingdom currently exports $1.5 billion in pharmaceutical products. By 2030, it aims to triple that to $5 billion. Central to this push is the localization of biologics and biosimilars; complex therapies often used in oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.
The Saudi Biotech Strategy sets a target of >60% biosimilar penetration, a move that could significantly reduce healthcare expenditure while expanding access. A domestic biomanufacturing platform would also insulate the health system from global supply shocks and create export opportunities for high-value therapeutics.
Genomics and AI: Precision Medicine for a Genetically Distinct Population
Saudi Arabia’s population has a unique genomic profile, with elevated prevalence of certain hereditary conditions. The strategy prioritizes building a national genomic database and analytics platform, enabling researchers and clinicians to develop targeted interventions.
AI will play a critical role in parsing genomic data, identifying risk markers, and guiding personalized treatment plans. Regulatory reforms are also underway to improve data access and foster innovation in cell and gene therapies. The long-term vision: a precision medicine ecosystem that’s both locally relevant and globally competitive.
November 2025: $50M IB Ventures Fund Signals Commercial Momentum
IB Ventures, a Riyadh-based investment firm, has launched a $50 million fund to back biotech startups in therapeutics, diagnostics, digital biology, and manufacturing. The move aligns with the Saudi Biotech Strategy’s emphasis on commercialization and ecosystem development.
At BIO-Europe in Vienna, co-founder Faisal Al-Abdulsalam described the initiative as part of a broader effort to position biotechnology as a pillar of Saudi Arabia’s future economy. The firm also announced plans to open offices in the US and Switzerland, signaling its intent to connect Saudi biotech with global innovation hubs.
Also Read: Boston in the Desert: Will Riyadh Rise as a Healthcare & Biotech Powerhouse?
