King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Crown Prince and Prime Minister
Confidential & Official
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator
Official Strategic Presentation for Endorsement as an Independent Specialized Entity
Presented To
H.E. Minister of Communications & Information Technology
Chairman of KACST • Chairman of RDIA • Chairman of NTDP
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Document Reference: SBA-GOV-2025-STRAT
Confidential & Official
Official Address
H.E. Minister of Communications & Information Technology
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Your Excellency,
This strategic presentation outlines the imperative for establishing the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator as an independent specialized entity. It provides an evidence-based roadmap aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy to position the Kingdom as a global hub for life sciences innovation.
We present a comprehensive analysis of current ecosystem gaps, a tailored operational model integrating global best practices, and a strategic plan to unlock significant economic and social impact by 2040.
Strategic Alignment
Direct contribution to National Biotech Strategy & Vision 2030 goals.
Evidence-Based
Data-driven gap analysis benchmarking Boston & Swiss ecosystems.
Decision Requested
Endorsement to establish the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator as an independent specialized entity.
Authorization to proceed with the proposed operational model and Phase 1 funding allocation.
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator Initiativeوثيقة رسمية - للاستخدام الداخلي فقط
Royal Vision & Directive
Our country has vast capabilities, and we must invest in our youth and our resources to build a knowledge-based economy that competes globally and secures a prosperous future for generations to come.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
This directive forms the foundation for establishing specialized entities like the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator, aimed at localizing high-value industries and fostering national innovation.
Official Government Presentation
Vision 2030
Crown Prince Vision
We have all the ingredients for success: a strategic location, investment power, and a young ambitious population. Now we localize advanced industries and lead innovation.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Crown Prince and Prime Minister
HRH's vision drives the urgency to establish the Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator now—capturing the global biotech wave while it's rising and positioning the Kingdom as a leader.
Official Government Presentation
Vision 2030
H.E. Minister's Strategic Roles
Unifying National Leadership Across Innovation, Research, and Biotechnology
Minister of MCIT
Communications & IT
Driving the Kingdom's digital transformation agenda, establishing robust digital infrastructure, and enabling the TechBio revolution by integrating advanced computing with biological sciences.
Chairman of KACST
King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology
Leading national R&D execution, managing national labs, and fostering scientific innovation backbone.
Chairman of RDIA
Research, Development & Innovation Authority
Setting national research priorities, strategies, and funding mechanisms for the R&D ecosystem.
Board Member
Riyadh BioCentral Foundation
Overseeing the establishment of Riyadh as a global biotechnology hub and medical research center.
Chairman of NTDP
National Technology Development Program
Providing financial incentives and support programs to accelerate tech adoption and venture growth.
Unique convergence of authority enables seamless execution of the National Biotechnology Strategy.
Strategic Alignment
MAPPING CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL GOALS
VISION 2030
NATIONAL STRATEGY
SAUDI VISION 2030
Vibrant Society
Increase life expectancy and improve quality of life for citizens.
Thriving Economy
Diversify GDP sources and grow non-oil exports through innovation.
Ambitious Nation
Enhance government effectiveness and enable high-performing sectors.
ACCELERATOR CONTRIBUTIONS
National Health Security
Localization of vaccines, biologics, and advanced diagnostics to ensure resilience against health threats.
Economic Diversification
Creating high-value jobs and contributing 3% to non-oil GDP through a thriving biotech sector.
Job Creation & Talent
11,000+ high-value jobs by 2030 for Saudi scientists, researchers, and biotech professionals.
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator InitiativeStrategic Alignment with Vision 2030 Goals
Strategic Imperative
BIOTECHNOLOGY AS A NATIONAL PILLAR
RIYADH BIOCENTRAL
NATIONAL STRATEGY
National Mandate
National Strategy
Vision 2030 priority sector for economic diversification and health security.
Riyadh BioCentral
Flagship governance body ensuring alignment and execution excellence.
Health Sovereignty
Critical need for localized R&D to address regional genetic and disease profiles.
Priority Modalities & Focus Areas
Vaccines & Biologics
Developing local capabilities for vaccine production and advanced biological therapies to ensure supply resilience.
Biomanufacturing
Building GMP-compliant facilities for pilot and commercial-scale production of therapeutics.
Precision Diagnostics
Advancing genomics and biomarker-based diagnostics tailored to regional health profiles.
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator InitiativeNational Biotechnology Strategy Implementation
Section 01 Conclusion
Strategic Context &
National Mandate
Establishing the foundation for the Kingdom's leadership in biotechnology through unwavering political will and strategic alignment.
Executive Summary
Leadership Vision
The initiative is directly derived from the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince to localize cutting-edge industries.
National Strategy Alignment
The National Biotechnology Strategy (2024) explicitly targets global hub status by 2040, mandating specialized infrastructure and ecosystem enablers.
Institutional Governance
Ministerial roles across MCIT, KACST, and RDIA provide a unified and robust governance framework to execute this ambitious mandate urgently.
Coming Next
Global Biotechnology Market Outlook
Exponential Growth Trajectory & Market Opportunity (2024-2034)
Section II
Global Context
Market Valuation Forecast (USD Trillion)
Source: Precedence Research (2024); Grand View Research Analysis
12-14%
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Driven by personalized medicine, orphan drugs, and breakthroughs in gene therapy.
2034 Projection
Market size set to triple within the decade, representing a massive economic opportunity for early ecosystem entrants.
Window of Opportunity
Establishing the Saudi Accelerator now positions the Kingdom to capture significant value from this global expansion wave.
Global Benchmarking
The Boston Model: Critical Density
Biotech Startup Density
Boston / Cambridge
↑10x Higher Density than national avg
The "Kendall Square" Effect
Success is driven by hyper-proximity: universities, hospitals, and labs co-located within 1-2 square miles.
Ecosystem Success Pillars
Benchmarking AnalysisSpecialized Infrastructure
- ✓
Millions of sq ft of commercial wet-lab space
- ✓
Shared containment facilities (BSL-2/3)
- ✓
Pay-as-you-go equipment access models
Clinical Integration
- ✓
Direct connection to top research hospitals
- ✓
Seamless "Lab-to-Bedside" pathways
- ✓
Integrated clinical trial networks
Specialized Capital
- ✓
Investors with scientific/PhD backgrounds
- ✓
Patient capital (7-10 year horizons)
- ✓
De-risking via non-dilutive grants (NIH)
Talent Density
- ✓
Recycling of experienced founders
- ✓
University pipeline (MIT, Harvard)
- ✓
Mentorship from industry veterans
Regional Strategic Gateway
Accessing the $50B+ MENA Biotechnology Market
Riyadh
Central Hub
350M+
Addressable Population
Direct access to GCC, North Africa, and Levant markets via Riyadh.
$50B+
Regional Pharma Market
Rapidly growing demand for biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies.
Tier 1
InfrastructureClinical Trial Readiness
Diverse genetic pool and modern hospital infrastructure for global studies.
Why Riyadh?
Within 6-hour flight of 60% of the world's population. The only regional capital with the regulatory maturity (SFDA) and investment capacity to anchor a global biotech cluster.
LIVE DATA: REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
Sources: World Bank Population Data, IQVIA MENA Pharma Report 2024
Critical Gap: Specialized Infrastructure
The "Wet Lab" Bottleneck Stifling Innovation
Priority Issue
Gap Analysis Phase
✕Severe Shortage of "Wet Labs"
Unlike software startups that need only laptops and coffee, biotech ventures require regulated BSL-2/BSL-3 containment facilities. These are virtually non-existent for early-stage companies in the current ecosystem.
Prohibitive Build Times
Building a compliant lab takes 18-24 months of permitting and construction. This "Dead Zone" kills startups before they can run their first experiment.
The Consequence
"Without ready-to-use labs, Saudi innovators are forced to outsource R&D abroad, leaking IP and value outside the Kingdom."
The Financial Barrier
Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Comparison
Market Failure
Private real estate developers will not build speculative wet labs due to high cost and specialized risk. Government intervention is required to bridge this gap.
Source: JLL Life Sciences Outlook 2024; Internal Gap Analysis
Current Gap Analysis: Company Density
Comparative assessment of ecosystem maturity vs. global benchmarks
Strategic Assessment
Gap Matrix
Biotech Startups Per Million Population
Critical Mass Deficit
Current density is insufficient to sustain a self-reinforcing ecosystem. Without intervention, the "cluster effect" observed in mature hubs cannot ignite.
Company Density
Startups per million capita
Wet Lab Infrastructure
Availability of BSL-2/3 spaces
Early-Stage Funding
Pre-seed / Seed availability
Talent Pipeline
Experienced Founders/CSOs
Source: Startup Genome Report 2024, National Strategy Gap Analysis
Vision & Mission
Saudi Biotechnology Accelerator
Strategic Direction
Vision 2040 Roadmap
Our Vision
The 2040 Ambition
"To establish Riyadh as the Biotech Capital of MENA and a leading Global Hub by 2040, driving the future of health and innovation."
Our Mission
To accelerate venture readiness, navigate complex regulatory pathways, and enable rapid market access for transformative biotechnology innovations.
Venture Readiness
Developing investment-grade startups capable of attracting global capital.
Regulatory Navigation
Ensuring compliance and expediting approvals with SFDA partnership.
Market Access
Connecting innovations to clinical networks and commercial opportunities.
Strategic Imperative
Bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient impact through a specialized ecosystem approach.
Official Government Presentation
Strategic Objectives
DRIVING TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION
VISION 2040
National Biotechnology Strategy
Localize Priority Modalities
Establish domestic capabilities for vaccines, bio-manufacturing, and advanced therapeutics to ensure health sovereignty.
Enable Clinical Trials
Transform hospitals into commercial trial hubs, streamlining patient recruitment and regulatory pathways.
De-risk Early Science
Provide proof-of-concept funding and specialized infrastructure to bridge the 'valley of death' for startups.
Integrate AI & TechBio
Leverage AI and supercomputing to compress drug discovery timelines from years to months.
Attract Global Founders
Position Riyadh as a premier destination for world-class scientists and entrepreneurs.
Export-Ready Products
Develop high-value biotech products compliant with global standards for international markets.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia • Vision 2030