Sudair City: Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef today laid the foundation stone for the insulin plant of Sudair Pharma Company, located in Sudair City for Industry and Businesses. This industrial plant is one of the leading projects in the field of manufacturing and localizing diabetes treatments within the Kingdom and is part of the wider strategy to enhance pharmaceutical security and achieve self-sufficiency in the healthcare sector.
According to Saudi Press Agency, through the plant, Sudair Pharma Company aims to localize insulin production, contributing to the continuity of supply and reducing reliance on imports, amid global challenges related to providing the vital medication. The construction is in response to the urgent need for insulin, with an estimated 700,000 patients in the Kingdom requiring the treatment.
The plant is expected to produce more than 15 million insulin pens annually, which will cover the needs of over 500,000 patients in its first year, equivalent to 70% of the total patients needing the vital medication within the Kingdom.
The establishment of the insulin plant is part of the Kingdom's efforts to localize 85% of its insulin needs, valued at approximately SAR1.3 billion annually. This solidifies the Kingdom's position as a regional hub for the production of advanced pharmaceutical products.
The localization of insulin is the fruit of strategic partnerships of government institutions, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with major global pharmaceutical companies. Agreements were signed with the French company Sanofi, in partnership with Sudair Pharmaceutical, as well as with the Novo Nordisk alliance and Lifera, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).