Saudi Arabia to host landmark life sciences summit as CPHI, BIO Middle East collaborate in Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA—Saudi Arabia positions itself at the forefront of the global life sciences sector as CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East announce their co-location for the first time.

The unified platform will run from 11 to 13 May 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, bringing together leaders from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences industries worldwide.

The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia will serve as the patron for both events, which organizers expect to attract more than 60,000 visitors, 1,000 exhibiting brands, and over 400 speakers from more than 100 countries.

International industry titans including Boston Oncology, Johnson & Johnson, Fakeeh Care Group, M42 Arabia, Sinovac Holding Group, Eli Lilly, and Novartis have confirmed their participation, establishing Riyadh as the region’s central destination for scientific collaboration, investment, and advanced manufacturing.

Vision 2030 drives pharmaceutical growth

The Kingdom rapidly scales its pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities in line with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.

Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical market projects growth to USD 15.6 billion by 2030, up from USD 11.8 billion in 2024.

The biotechnology sector aims even higher, targeting contributions of more than USD 34 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP by 2040, representing 3% of the total.

National investment, improving regulatory frameworks, and growing international partnerships create substantial opportunities across the sector.

Global medicine spending will reach approximately USD 1.6 trillion in 2025, with innovation increasingly driven by AI-enabled drug discovery, precision medicine, and next-generation treatment modalities.

Comprehensive programming across three days

Attendees will engage in strategic panels, technical deep dives, investment forums, scientific sessions, workshops, and high-level ministerial discussions.

The event introduces the BIO partneringONE® platform to the Middle East for the first time, enabling targeted one-to-one meetings to accelerate licensing deals, collaborations, and market-entry strategies.

Mundhir Al-Hakim, Exhibition Director at Tahaluf, describes the 2026 editions as the most comprehensive life sciences gathering ever hosted in the region.

BIO Middle East focuses on next-generation therapies, cell and gene therapy, digital R&D, clinical trial innovation, vaccine development, and biomanufacturing.

The event hosts innovation pitches featuring early-stage biotech companies and emerging talent, giving investors direct access to promising breakthroughs.

CPHI Middle East highlights the full pharmaceutical landscape, covering API suppliers, CDMOs, machinery providers, packaging innovators, logistics partners, and technology enablers.

Its programme explores quality excellence, sustainable manufacturing, advanced factory technologies, regulatory alignment, and workforce development.

The co-location creates dedicated spaces, including the Deals Hub for partnership signings, an Investor Programme, a Saudi Biotech Garden showcasing national capabilities, and closed roundtables addressing AI-driven drug discovery, rare disease solutions, and precision oncology.