The Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical market is regarded as one of the fastest growing in the world today, offering opportunities for high-cost innovative therapies, including Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).

ATMPs, which can be classified into gene therapy, somatic-cell therapy and tissue-engineered therapy, are regarded as one of the most ground-breaking treatment modalities for disease and injury. Increased patient and clinician awareness, rising life expectancy, higher disease prevalence and implementation of initiatives to improve local diagnosis of genetic diseases, are some of the driving factors behind the
forecasted, significant growth of the ATMP market in the Middle East & North Africa.

Additionally, the Saudi government is poised to continue the trend observed in the past several years – i.e., being the highest public spender in pharmaceuticals across the entire region. Local partnerships are also highly incentivized, thus creating opportunities for private sector investment into the economy.

Crucially, it is becoming evident to many that achieving premium prices over major European markets is possible in Saudi Arabia. There is also a clear desire by Saudi health entities to enter into managed entry agreements, to further accelerate access to new therapies, while simultaneously facilitating the generation of much needed data.