SAUDI ARABIA —Lifera Omics, a subsidiary of Lifera, has announced the appointment of the esteemed Saudi human geneticist Prof. Fowzan Sami Alkuraya as its Chief Medical and Genomics Officer.
In addition to his new role, Prof. Alkuraya will also join the Board of Lifera Omics.
This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone for the company, enhancing its leadership team with one of the most respected figures in human genomics.
With over 17 years of extensive experience in human genomics, Prof. Alkuraya brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be pivotal in advancing Lifera Omics’ objectives.
He previously served as the Chairman of Translational Genomics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh and currently holds the position of Professor of Human Genetics at Alfaisal University.
Prof. Alkuraya’s distinguished career is highlighted by his substantial contributions to the field, including over 590 scientific publications in leading international journals and his frequent participation as a speaker at global conferences on genomic medicine and precision health.
Prof. Alkuraya’s exceptional achievements have earned him numerous prestigious awards. Notably, he was honored with the William King Wilson Prize in Genetics from Harvard Medical School, the King Salman Award for Disability Research, and the Curt Stern Award from the American Society of Human Genetics—making him the first non-US-based recipient of this esteemed accolade.
Furthermore, he has received the Kwiat Prize for Basic Medical Science and the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences.
His postgraduate board certification from Harvard University, among several other certifications, underscores his academic and professional excellence.
Prof. Alkuraya’s innovative work has been instrumental in elucidating the physiological and structural roles of hundreds of genes, leading to the diagnosis of numerous genetic disorders.
His discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of the complex interplay between human genes and health, contributing immensely to the field of human genetics.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the appointment, Dr. Ibrahim Juffali, Chairman of Lifera, conveyed his delight in welcoming such a renowned and respected leader to the Lifera Omics Executive Leadership team.
Dr. Juffali emphasized that Prof. Alkuraya’s profound clinical and scientific expertise will play a crucial role in helping Lifera achieve its mission, which focuses on enhancing Saudi Arabia’s biopharma resilience and supporting the National Biotech Strategy.
Lifera Omics, established in January 2024, is committed to developing cutting-edge multiomic dry and wet lab capabilities that meet the highest global standards.
The company aims to support the genomics objectives outlined in Saudi Arabia’s National Biotech Strategy.
By partnering with clients, Lifera Omics is dedicated to addressing their clinical, population health, and R&D needs, thereby contributing to the advancement of the biopharma industry in the region.
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