Sanofi to localize insulin production in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA—Sanofi has revealed a significant plan to bring its global expertise in insulin manufacturing to Saudi Arabia, with the aim of providing patients in the Kingdom with a more reliable source of quality diabetes medications.

 The announcement follows an offtake agreement signed last year with Sudair Pharma Company (SPC) and the National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO).

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan strives for healthcare self-sufficiency, making the localization of essential pharmaceutical manufacturing a top priority.

With a diabetes prevalence rate of 18.7%—one of the highest globally—the Kingdom faces an urgent need to secure a stable and reliable insulin supply.

Historically dependent on imports, Saudi Arabia is now shifting towards localized production to enhance national drug security and provide greater access to life-saving treatments for hundreds of thousands of patients.

Lama Saleh, General Manager for General Medicines for Sanofi KSA & Gulf, emphasized the importance of this strategic partnership in strengthening healthcare resilience.

Through collaboration with Sudair Pharma and NUPCO, Sanofi is bringing its century-long expertise in diabetes care to Saudi Arabia.

Together with SPC, Sanofi plans to establish a state-of-the-art insulin production facility within the Kingdom. This facility will manufacture, assemble, and package advanced SoloStar insulin pens.

Once fully operational, it will have the capacity to produce approximately 15 million insulin pens annually, meeting the treatment needs of 500,000 patients across Saudi Arabia.

This milestone is expected to cover 70% of diabetic patients receiving insulin in the Kingdom, significantly reducing dependency on external supply chains and bolstering pharmaceutical security.

Saleh stated that this initiative is about more than manufacturing; it’s about ensuring that patients have consistent access to high-quality insulin produced locally to meet their needs.

Through technology transfer, Sanofi aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s healthcare infrastructure and contribute to a future where essential medicines are always within reach.

The localization of insulin production aligns with the broader Health Sector Transformation Program, a key pillar of Vision 2030 that focuses on improving healthcare accessibility, advancing medical innovation, and strengthening national pharmaceutical capabilities.

This initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a regional hub for biopharmaceutical production by developing high-tech manufacturing facilities and investing in specialized local talent.

For Sanofi, this investment goes beyond meeting immediate patient needs. It’s also about building local expertise, transferring knowledge, and fostering innovation within the Kingdom.

“We are not just producing insulin. We are paving the way for the next generation of Saudi professionals, equipping them with the skills and expertise to lead in life sciences and biopharmaceuticals,” Saleh explained.

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to localize pharmaceutical production are gaining momentum, and the insulin manufacturing initiative is considered a bold move and a key milestone in achieving national healthcare resilience.

With greater production capacity, advanced technology transfer, and investment in local expertise, the Kingdom is implementing its strategy for long-term healthcare sustainability.

This shift marks a new era in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare landscape—one where high-quality, locally produced medicines drive better health outcomes for all, including patients with diabetes, healthcare professionals, and the broader community.