Within the framework of the Kingdom’s strategy to transfer and localize advanced technology, and under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in partnership with the National Livestock & Fisheries Development Program, a partnership agreement was signed between MAS Saudi Arabia and CEVA France to localize veterinary vaccines, enhancing the Kingdom’s position in advanced veterinary industries.

RIYADH:
In the presence of sector leaders, the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program signed a memorandum of understanding with French company Ceva under the patronage of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, who also chairs the program’s board.

The agreement aims to localize vaccine manufacturing, transfer technology and technical expertise, and expand the industrial and commercial production of veterinary vaccines across the Kingdom.

According to the MoU, the two parties will work to achieve high efficiency in mass production scale-up and establish a clear path for sustainable commercial operation that meets the needs of the local and national market, while strengthening the Kingdom’s biosecurity and food security systems.

The agreement includes the development and modernization of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technologies, as well as joint research and development of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) vaccine for camels. It also covers the development of rabies vaccines and integrated prevention strategies to support national disease control efforts.

The collaboration aims to meet the needs of the poultry vaccine market in the Kingdom, currently estimated at around SR750 million, with plans to cover approximately 30 percent of the market through an initial investment of around SR250 million. The market is expected to grow at an annual rate exceeding 10 percent, reaching approximately SR1.25 billion by 2030.

Ceva’s addition to Biotech Park reflects the program’s role in developing new industries within the livestock and fisheries sector and strengthening international partnerships with leading global companies, research centers, and universities. This initiative supports advanced biotechnology industries, enhances veterinary health security, and contributes to sustainable economic development.

Biotech Park, located in Dhurma Governorate, represents the world’s first fully integrated hub dedicated to veterinary biotechnology, positioning the Kingdom as a global center for innovation in this sector.