Saudi Arabia and France: Agreement to localize the veterinary vaccine industry
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the biosecurity and food security system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the capital, Riyadh, witnessed the signing of a significant agreement under the auspices of the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli. The National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector signed a memorandum of understanding with CEVA, a leading French company in the field of animal health, to localize the veterinary vaccine industry and transfer advanced technologies to the Kingdom.
Transfer of mRNA technologies and epidemic control
This agreement is particularly significant given the nature of the technologies targeted for localization. The memorandum includes work on developing and upgrading messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technologies, a revolutionary technology that has proven its effectiveness globally. The collaboration also focuses on joint research and development of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) vaccine for camels, representing a radical solution to a long-standing health challenge in the region. Furthermore, the agreement encompasses the development of rabies vaccines, thus bolstering national efforts to control zoonotic diseases.
Economic dimensions and alignment with Vision 2030
This move aligns perfectly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to localize promising industries and achieve self-sufficiency. Economically, the collaboration targets the needs of the Kingdom's poultry vaccine market, currently estimated at around 750 million riyals. The company plans to capture approximately 30% of this market in its first phase, with investments reaching 250 million riyals.
Economic forecasts indicate that this market will grow at a rate exceeding 10% annually, reaching a size of approximately 1.25 billion riyals by 2030, driven by continued government support for poultry projects and the expansion of local production to enhance food security.
"Biotech Park" City: A global center in Darma
The joining of Ceva as the first international partner in the Future Veterinary Biotech Park in Dhurma Governorate marks the official launch of this ambitious project. This city is the first specialized and integrated zone for veterinary biotechnology in the world, solidifying the Kingdom's position as a regional and global hub for these advanced industries.
This city is expected to play a pivotal role in serving not only the Saudi market, but also the markets of the Gulf countries, the Middle East and Africa, by providing advanced research and industrial infrastructure, and applying the highest international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards, which will contribute to raising the efficiency of local production and ensuring its sustainability.
