• Alpha Pharma manufactures an innovative treatment from Boehringer Ingelheim to facilitate access to treatment for type 2 diabetes patients in the Kingdom.
• Boehringer Ingelheim is working to enhance the capabilities of the local pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom through partnerships aimed at meeting the needs of its healthcare sector in line with “Saudi Vision 2030.”
• Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology is an important factor for Boehringer Ingelheim’s growth and expansion in the Kingdom.

[Jeddah, Saudi Arabia] - Under the patronage of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA), Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, today announced the successful transfer of manufacturing operations for one of its innovative drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through Alpha Pharma, a leading Saudi pharmaceutical company. This announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Boehringer Ingelheim with the Ministry of Investment in 2023, which focuses on enhancing cooperation in local pharmaceutical production and knowledge transfer to improve the health of Saudi society. The collaboration with Alpha Pharma aims to combat type 2 diabetes in the Kingdom, which is fully aligned with the pillars of Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was officially announced during a signing ceremony held in Jeddah, attended by senior representatives from the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the National Center for Industrial Development, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, and a number of senior executives from both companies.

The drug is used to treat type 2 diabetes. As a research-based company that believes in partnerships as a key to success, this collaboration will reinforce its commitment to patient health in the Kingdom. It takes a comprehensive approach to identifying the broader therapeutic needs in the interconnected fields of cardiology, renal medicine, and metabolism, including type 2 diabetes. The partnership between the two parties underscores the critical importance of joint collaboration and its positive impact on improving patient outcomes and contributing to the overall health of society.

Walid Al-Mashaq, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim in Saudi Arabia, said: “The signing of this agreement today marks a very important occasion for us and our partners at Alpha Pharma as we continue our journey to improve human health in the Kingdom. In line with Vision 2030 and our corporate objectives at Boehringer Ingelheim, this announcement confirms our ongoing commitment to directing our dedicated investments to support local manufacturing and ensure the availability of the latest medicines to patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moving production of the drug to the Kingdom represents a valuable opportunity to leverage and optimally integrate Saudi talent into the pharmaceutical sector, enhancing our impact and helping achieve our mission to positively impact the lives of future generations.”

Commenting on the agreement, Sheikh Yasser Al-Naghi, Chairman of Alpha Pharma and CEO of Siqala Healthcare Group, said: “We are proud of Alpha Pharma’s strategic collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. Manufacturing an innovative medicine from one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies in the Kingdom represents an important milestone in our commitment to enhancing healthcare efforts and bringing this vital national sector to the highest levels of innovation. This agreement reflects our commitment to providing treatment for type 2 diabetes directly to patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, improving their chances of controlling the disease, which benefits them and society as a whole.”

For his part, His Excellency Eng. Saleh Al-Khabti, Deputy Minister of Investment for Investment Operations, said: “We are pleased to witness this cooperation between Alpha Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim, as it falls within the ongoing national efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and support the diversification of the national economy in the Kingdom. The local manufacturing agreement is in line with the goals of Vision 2030. We also recognize the vital role of such partnerships and their positive impact on developing the healthcare sector and enhancing the ongoing transformation that the Kingdom is witnessing across all sectors.”

Dr. Raed Al-Suwaid, Vice President of the National Center for Industrial Development, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Sector, commended this step, adding: “Alpha Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim demonstrate the highest level of commitment to knowledge transfer and enhancing healthcare in the Kingdom by producing important medicines locally and contributing to the advancement of technological and pharmaceutical capabilities. This initiative embodies our shared efforts to raise manufacturing standards and ensure excellence by relying on international best practices in the production of essential treatments for patients in the Kingdom.”

Dr. Ashraf Al-Qurain, Head of the Medical Devices and Supplies Sector at the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, commended the efforts of both parties to reach this agreement. He said, "The significance of today's announcement goes beyond local production efforts, but rather reflects the tremendous opportunities to empower the local healthcare system. By investing in developing local expertise, we look forward to significantly contributing to the sustainable growth of the pharmaceutical sector and enhancing our ability to meet the essential healthcare needs of the Kingdom's population."

It's worth noting that Boehringer Ingelheim's presence in the Kingdom dates back to the 1970s. Building on its mission and continuing its efforts to enhance its legacy, the company provides support in the fields of heart, kidney, and metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, by developing advanced treatments, as a research-based company dedicated to changing people's lives for generations to come.

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About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim develops innovative therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As an innovation-driven leader in the pharmaceutical industry, the company aims to create value by fostering innovation in areas where urgent medical needs remain unmet. Founded in 1885 in Germany as a family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim has embraced a long-term vision and employs approximately 53,000 people serving more than 130 markets in two core areas: human pharmaceuticals and animal health. For more information, please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

About Alpha Pharma

Established in 2017, Alpha Pharma is a leading generic pharmaceutical manufacturer in Saudi Arabia, with a strong focus on producing high-quality, affordable medicines. Committed to upholding the highest manufacturing and quality standards to ensure patient safety, the company serves the healthcare needs of numerous markets across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Alpha Pharma's world-class facility boasts a production capacity of up to 900 million tablets and capsules, and 33 million vials of syrup and suspensions annually. The company is part of the Saqala Healthcare Group, one of the largest healthcare distributors in Saudi Arabia. For more information, please visit our website: www.alphapharma.com.sa.

© Press Release 2024