King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of Investment and AstraZeneca partnership boosts clinical research skills in the Kingdom
Series of initiatives kicks off in Riyadh to enhance health sector R&D capabilities
RIYADH, gulftech – King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), in partnership with the Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA), and AstraZeneca have launched the first in a suite of R&D initiatives – a clinical research capacity-building programme to boost research and development in the Kingdom’s pharmaceutical sector.
The inaugural workshop for healthcare practitioners, which took place in Riyadh on 17-18 May, provided insight into aspects such as the landscape of clinical trials, good clinical practice, and audit and inspection readiness.
In September 2021, the Ministry of Investment, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) and AstraZeneca signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Riyadh Global Summit for Biotechnology.
The agreement seeks to establish world class clinical research facilities in the Kingdom since investing in research and development is critical to developing safe and effective treatments for patients. Such agreement increases investments in clinical trials and real-world evidence, enhance efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, and advance AstraZeneca’s US$80-million-dollar local manufacturing project with the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corporation. It foresees further collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI), genomics and data analytics in drug discovery and diagnostics.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 seeks to put the Kingdom on the global R&D map globally, in order to bring the benefits of research findings to the Saudi population.
Dr Sara Althari, Managing Director of Biotech & Pharma and Advisor to the Minister of Investment, said: ”We are delighted to launch this partnership as part of our wider efforts to boost innovation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia presents exciting opportunities to meet growing demand both here and in the wider region and we are excited to partner with a world-leading pharmaceutical company in developing our position as an innovation hub.”
Sameh El Fangary, Country President for GCC & Pakistan, AstraZeneca, said: “AstraZeneca is actively engaged in clinical trials & scientific research, and we are committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 through investments in local manufacturing and in the field of clinical research. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Kingdom, we are collaboratively working towards the Kingdom’s ambition to bring innovative pharmaceutical products to patients.”
