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Afghan and Saudi health ministers have discussed ways to strengthen coordination in preventing communicable, non-communicable diseases, combating drug abuse, ensuring the quality and safe legal imports of medicines, and eradicating polio. According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, Minister Mullah Noor Jalal Jalali met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health, Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajil, during an official visit to the Kingdom. The statement added: “The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Minister of Health. Discussions focused on enhancing joint efforts in the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases, combating drug abuse, strengthening health cooperation, ensuring the quality and safe legal imports of medicines, eradicating polio, and improving health infrastructure with support from the Salman Foundation.” Jalali emphasized that the MoPH was committed to improving disease prevention and overall health outcomes through joint programs. Al-Jalajil assured the Afghan side of continued cooperation in polio eradication, drug abuse prevention, and strengthening health institutions. The visit follows an official invitation from the Saudi Minister of Health and aims to bolster health cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

China’s Innovent Biologics said on Monday its GLP-1 injection led to more weight loss and better control of blood sugar in patients with diabetes than injectable semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight-loss medicines. The late-stage head-to-head trial compared different doses of the two drugs in patients with diabetes and obesity to assess glycemic control and weight loss. One group received a 6 mg dose of the mazdutide drug that Innovent develops and the other a 1 mg dose of injectable semaglutide. Innovent, which secured exclusive development and commercialisation rights in China for mazdutide from Eli Lilly under undisclosed financial terms in 2019, is also approved in China to sell that drug as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. It is one of a number of Chinese weight loss and diabetes drugmakers ramping up competition with Novo and Lilly in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market. Novo sells injectable semaglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes in China under the brand name Ozempic to control blood sugar. In the trial, which enrolled 349 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, mazdutide showed greater improvements in both HbA1C – a measure of blood sugar over time – and weight reduction. Patients who took Innovent’s...

The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, launched the “Saudi Pharmacopoeia” on the sidelines of the SFDA's participation in the Global Health Exhibition (GHE) held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham from October 27 to 30, under the theme “Invest in Health.” Dr. Aljadhey stated that the Saudi Pharmacopoeia marks a new phase that affirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's global leadership in this vital field, supported by a laboratory infrastructure that enhances the compliance of pharmaceutical products registered in the Kingdom with the highest standards of quality, efficacy, and safety. The Pharmacopoeia also includes specialized chapters, most notably the "Halal" chapter, which is a regulatory precedent among global pharmacopoeias. This reflects the Kingdom's efforts in adopting regulatory standards compatible with Islamic Sharia, contributing to enhancing the confidence of regional and international markets. Dr. Aljadhey emphasized that the SFDA is leading this national project, based on its pivotal role in developing the drug regulatory system, reflecting the Kingdom's global position in the field of medicine. He noted that the Pharmacopoeia contributes significantly to supporting the growth of the national pharmaceutical industry and plays an effective role in achieving compatibility with...

SandboxAQ, a U.S.-based artificial intelligence and quantum technology firm, signed an agreement with Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund on Monday aimed at speeding up the development of drugs and creating biotech assets worth $1 billion. The deal, announced on the sidelines of Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, will see Bahrain's Mumtalakat license SandboxAQ's large quantitative models trained on physics, chemistry and biology to accelerate drug discovery and scientific research. "The collaboration will help position Bahrain as a regional biotech hub, with a joint research committee guiding a three-year program aimed at developing valuable new drugs," they said in a statement.

MapLight Therapeutics (MPLT.O), opens new tab debuted on the Nasdaq on Monday with a valuation of $787 million, becoming the first company to go public under a rarely used regulatory provision since the start of the U.S. government shutdown. Shares of the Redwood City, California-based company, which is developing treatments for central nervous system disorders, opened at $19 apiece, nearly 12% above the initial public offering price of $17. With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission closed due to the government shutdown, more than half a dozen companies have tapped a provision that allows registration statements to automatically become effective 20 days after filing, rather than wait for the regulator's approval. MapLight, backed by Novo Nordisk's controlling shareholder Novo Holdings, raised $250.8 million in the IPO by selling 14.75 million shares. Affiliates of Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs (GS.N), opens new tab bought 476,707 shares of MapLight in a concurrent private placement. The company's lead experimental drug candidate, ML-007C-MA, is currently being developed in mid-stage studies to treat schizophrenia, and hallucinations and delusions caused by the Alzheimer's disease. BIOTECH THAW Biotech IPOs are also making a nascent comeback after a months-long dry spell. The sector has been grappling with regulatory uncertainty and poor returns, side-lining...

Saudi Arabia - During the activities of the first day of the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Pfizer and Lifera, a PIF Company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to discuss cooperation opportunities in the localization of the pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a step aimed at achieving one of the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop the biopharmaceutical industry sector and enhance national pharmaceutical security. This initiative aligns with the broader context of the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025, a renowned era that has significantly unfolded the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. Marked by a strategic partnership across energy, aviation, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and space, this collaboration signals a transformative phase of global engagement—centered on knowledge exchange, technology localization, the creation of high-quality employment opportunities, and the advancement of a diversified, sustainable Saudi economy. Mr. Nick Lagunowich, President of Emerging Markets at Pfizer, stressed that this partnership comes as part of the company's ongoing commitment to supporting health and industrial development in the Kingdom, saying: "We are proud to collaborate with Lifera in an important step towards exploring pharmaceutical localization opportunities in Saudi Arabia, as we believe that...

Jordan’s pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector enjoys a high production capacity reaching 1.6 billion dinars annually, making it a safety valve for the country under all circumstances. The sector’s locally manufactured products include human and veterinary medicines, medical disinfectants, dental supplies, laboratory reagents, medical devices, multi-use medical and therapeutic materials, nutritional supplements, and more. According to the sector’s representative at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Dr. Fadi Al-Atrash, the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries are among the most strategic and vital industrial sectors contributing to the national economy. They are characterized by their diverse expertise and strong interconnection with other sectors related to healthcare and medical supply chains in the Kingdom. Dr. Al-Atrash told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the sector is both capital- and technology-intensive, supported by a specialized scientific workforce of chemists, biologists, and technicians. It also contributes significantly to national exports, thanks to the high quality and tangible impact of its products. He added that the sector, which includes 151 active establishments across Jordan, is considered one of the largest economic activities in terms of value-added creation. It is divided into three main sub-sectors: human pharmaceuticals, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. The sector’s value-added ratio from total production reaches 51%,...

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, announced that Pakistan aims to increase its pharmaceutical exports from the current $1 billion to $30 billion in the coming years. Speaking at the inauguration of the 22nd Health Asia 2025 exhibition at Karachi Expo Center, Kamal said the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors hold the highest export potential in Pakistan. The event brought together participants, delegates, and companies from over 50 countries, showcasing healthcare innovations, medical devices, and pharmaceutical products. Kamal emphasized that the government is fully committed to facilitating the industry, holding extensive consultations with stakeholders to remove export barriers. “We are ready to do everything necessary to help the industry achieve this goal,” he stated. He also revealed plans to begin local vaccine production within the next 12 to 18 months, eliminating the need for $500 million in vaccine imports. Collaborations are underway with Chinese, Saudi Arabian, and Turkish companies to support this initiative. Kamal expressed confidence that Pakistan will soon not only meet its domestic vaccine needs but also become an exporter, saving up to $1 billion annually as demand grows.

The Saudi Arabia E-Pharmacy Market was valued at USD 923.56 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.10 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 14.76%. The market is witnessing robust growth due to increased internet and smartphone usage, making healthcare more accessible via digital platforms. Consumers are shifting towards online pharmacies for prescription and over-the-counter medications, drawn by convenience and product availability. The rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension further drives the need for reliable pharmaceutical access. Government initiatives promoting digital health, coupled with supportive e-commerce regulations, are enhancing sector growth. As awareness and digital engagement increase, the demand for e-pharmacy solutions is expanding rapidly across the Kingdom. Growing Internet Penetration Expanding internet usage is a key growth driver in Saudi Arabia's e-pharmacy sector. As of early 2024, the country recorded a 99.0% internet penetration rate, with over 36.84 million users. This widespread connectivity enables consumers to access e-pharmacy platforms easily through smartphones, supporting on-the-go purchasing and prescription management. The convenience of comparing prices, browsing a wide range of products, and receiving doorstep delivery has led more users to adopt online pharmacy services. The digital shift is further encouraged by the rise in e-commerce infrastructure and growing...

The U.S. could have saved up to $1.5 billion in the first year following approval of a drug if the price after rebates and discounts aligned with its benchmark, an analysis from an influential drug pricing watchdog showed on Thursday. The data from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, based on an analysis of 23 drugs previously reviewed by the research firm, comes as President Donald Trump has called for U.S. drug prices to match those paid in other high-income nations. ast month, Pfizer and Trump cut a deal to cut prices for drugs the company sells to the Medicaid program for low-income Americans and to ensure the U.S. would not pay more for new medicines than other high-income nations. U.S. patients currently pay by far the most for prescription medicines, often nearly three times more than in other developed nations, even as the government tries to rein in the costs. The review showed that aligning the prices with ICER's Health Benefit Price Benchmark could have saved about $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion in the first year post-approval alone. The benchmark suggests a price range that aligns fairly with the overall health benefits the treatment provides for patients over their lifetime.