Drugmaker Jamjoom Pharma wants localize production of a type 2 diabetes drug in Saudi Arabia

Jamjoom Pharma will work to localize the production of a diabetes drug under an agreement signed with the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCPGA), the company said in a Tadawul filing yesterday.

In context: Last week, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman launched the National Biotechnology Strategy last week in a bid to create a domestic biomanufacturing industry that could see the Kingdom become self-sufficient in the production of biologics. The plan focuses on the localization of vaccines, bio-manufacturing, genomics and plant optimization. This is set to contribute SAR 130 bn to non-oil GDP by 2040.

Local manufacturing + tech transfer: The three-year contract will run until January 2026 and would see the drugmaker locally produce sitagliptin phosphate, an oral therapy, in addition to sharing the technology behind the production with LCPGA.

What we don’t know: The timeline and cost of the investment will be worked out and disclosed at a later stage. Regulatory approvals from the Saudi Food and Drug Agency (SFDA) are also in the pipeline.

Jamjoom is in the midst of a push to expand its manufacturing base: It got the go-ahead last Sunday from SFDA to register its new manufacturing facility in Jeddah. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to locally produce 25 mn units of eye care products annually. Construction work is expected to cost SAR 200 mn.

LCPGA inked three more agreements: The authority inked three other agreements on Sunday — with Aja Pharma, Saudi Arabian Japanese (Saja) and MSD — to locally develop some of their pharma drugs. The move is expected to generate a total of SAR 250 mn over the next ten years.

ICYMI- Localizing insulin production: Sudair Pharma and Sanofi have established a partnership in October 2023 to establish a factory to produce and package insulin. The seven-year agreement will see the global pharma player transfer the required know-how to Sudair. Local production today covers just 20% of the domestic market needs for insulin, Argaam reports.