While the world remains fixated on the physical construction of giga-projects (chief among them NEOM), Saudi Arabia is quietly engineering a far more intricate transformation at the molecular level. The Kingdom is pivoting from an economy based on “Black Gold” to one driven by biological data, positioning itself to become a global biotechnology hub by 2040.
This isn’t just about healthcare reform. It is a strategic industrial overhaul designed to contribute over USD 34.6 billion to the non-oil GDP. Under the newly launched “National Biotechnology Strategy,” the government is treating health security as national security, moving to immunise the country against the kind of supply chain shocks seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two-track Strategy For Sovereignty
To achieve these ambitious targets, the Kingdom has adopted a “Two-Track” execution model, a strategy that balances immediate industrial needs with long-term “moonshot” innovation. “Track 1” is focused on the “here and now,” specifically, the domestic mass production of essential vaccines and biosimilars.
Saudi Arabia aims to move beyond simple packaging (fill-and-finish) to “end-to-end” manufacturing of antigens and complex biologics. By targeting a greater than 60% penetration rate for biosimilars, the Ministry of Health intends to drastically cut pharmaceutical import costs while establishing the Kingdom as the primary vaccine exporter for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. This creates a secure industrial base, reducing reliance on Western supply chains for critical medicines.
Simultaneously, “Track 2” builds the laboratory for disruptive technologies (such as Cell and Gene Therapy and personalised medicine). Rather than competing in crowded legacy markets, Saudi Arabia is leveraging its unique demographic data to lead in “precision medicine.”
Because the Saudi population has a high rate of consanguinity and genetic homogeneity, it serves as a “natural resource” for identifying rare genetic mutations. This allows researchers to pinpoint disease-causing genes faster than in diverse Western populations, attracting global R&D partners who need this clean data to develop next-generation therapies.
Interestingly, NEOM has become a living laboratory designed to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global biotechnology hub by 2040. It is a key part of the “Track 2” strategy, focusing on disruptive innovation like personalised medicine and “Cell and Gene Therapy.” NEOM is being built with an advanced, digital-first healthcare system that will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Saudi Genome Programme’s data to deliver predictive and preventative care.
Crucially, NEOM acts as a regulatory sandbox. Its unique legal framework and specialised economic zones are set up to attract top global talent and simplify business for biotech companies, allowing them to quickly research, develop, and test new treatments. This makes NEOM a vital hub for turning research into commercial products.
Mining The Genome For Healthspan
The engine powering this innovation (the Saudi Genome Programme) has evolved from a research project into a clinical reality. The programme is mapping the genetic code of the population to eliminate hereditary diseases, aiming to integrate this data directly into hospital workflows for premarital screening and targeted cancer treatments.
By 2025, the programme aims to have fully operationalised this database, creating a feedback loop where every patient’s treatment contributes to the national research bank. Parallel to this is the work of the Hevolution Foundation, a Riyadh-based non-profit that is fundamentally reshaping the economics of ageing.
With a budget that rivals global venture funds (allocating up to USD 115 million for specific research tracks), Hevolution is funding “Geroscience,” the biology of ageing. The goal is to extend “Healthspan” (the years spent in good health) rather than just lifespan.
By treating ageing as a biological condition that can be slowed, Saudi Arabia is hedging against the future costs of an ageing population, effectively trying to keep its workforce biologically younger and more productive for longer.