Pfizer and Lifera sign MoU to expand Saudi Arabia's pharmaceutical manufacturing

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Dubai/Riyadh – Pfizer Saudi Arabia and Lifera, the biopharma platform backed by the Public Investment Fund, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate opportunities for onshore pharmaceutical production. The announcement came on the opening day of the Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh.

The collaboration supports Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by aiming to strengthen the Kingdom’s life sciences sector, reduce reliance on imported medicines and build greater national resilience through enhanced local manufacturing and strategic technology exchange.

The MoU places particular emphasis on knowledge and technology transfer, workforce development and the establishment of domestic research and production capabilities — measures intended to reinforce supply chains and support sustainable healthcare delivery.

Lifera, established by the PIF to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s biopharma ambitions, plans to leverage this partnership to scale production of vaccines, biologics and advanced therapies as part of a wider economic diversification effort.

Industry observers say the agreement represents a long-term commitment to transform the Kingdom into a regional life sciences hub: beyond improving medicine access, it is expected to catalyse local R&D, create high-value employment and enhance Saudi competitiveness in the regional healthcare market.