In a landmark step toward advancing healthcare innovation, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has launched its first national biotech accelerator, in collaboration with BioLabs, a global leader in life sciences incubation. The announcement was made by Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Health for Planning and Development, at the BIO International Convention in Boston.
This initiative marks a significant move toward positioning the Kingdom as a global biotech and health innovation hub, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy
The Biotech Accelerator Program is part of the broader Health Sector Transformation Program and the National Biotechnology Strategy. These strategies aim to:
- âś… Drive local innovation in healthcare
- âś… Strengthen global partnerships in life sciences
- âś… Support economic diversification through high-tech industries
- âś… Empower Saudi biotech startups with world-class resources
By nurturing biotech entrepreneurship, the program aims to improve the quality of healthcare services, reduce dependence on imported technologies, and accelerate the development of homegrown solutions.
Meet the First Cohort of Startups
The inaugural batch includes eight pioneering Saudi biotech companies, each addressing critical challenges in medicine, diagnostics, and genetic research:
- Plansulin – Developing plant-based insulin for more affordable diabetes treatment
- cellNUA – Creating bee-derived nanotherapies for targeted healing
- SAGEbio – Specializing in vaccine manufacturing technologies
- Novo Genomics – Focusing on advanced genetic diagnostics
- MammoStem – Innovating in regenerative medicine
- NanoPalm – Treating genetic disorders with cutting-edge solutions
- KaRama Bio – Designing tools for early disease diagnostics
- PhageTech – Combatting antibiotic resistance using phage therapies
These startups reflect a wide scope of biotech potential in the Kingdom, from preventive care to next-gen therapies.
A Robust Program for Deep Science Innovation
The seven-month accelerator offers a comprehensive support structure to the selected startups. Participants will gain:
- âś… Tailored training tracks aligned with startup maturity
- âś… Hands-on mentorship from global biotech experts
- âś… Access to advanced research labs and technical facilities
- ✅ Global visibility through BioLabs’ international network
This is not only Saudi Arabia’s first biotech-focused accelerator, but also BioLabs’ first official initiative in mMiddle East, a move that signifies international trust in the region’s innovation capabilities.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare from the Kingdom
The Ministry of Health emphasized its continued support for nurturing Saudi talent, investing in research and development, and strengthening the innovation ecosystem in life sciences. This launch sends a strong message about the Kingdom’s determination to lead in biotech innovation on a global scale.
What does the future of Biotech look like in Saudi Arabia?
With the launch of the Ministry of Health Biotech Accelerator Program, Saudi Arabia takes a bold step toward becoming a powerhouse in healthcare innovation. By backing homegrown startups and fostering international collaboration, the Kingdom is laying the foundation for a future where science, innovation, and national talent work hand in hand to improve lives.