Saudi Arabia displays biotech vision at US convention
RIYADH: The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, and King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences will join the Saudi pavilion at the BIO International Convention in Boston, US, from June 16 to 19.
This will be the first joint national representation of Saudi Arabia's biotechnology sector at the event, aligning with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.
The King Abdullah center will display national initiatives and host meetings with global biotech companies to explore research and development partnerships.
The pavilion's program features five sessions, among them a 'super session' on innovation and opportunities in Saudi Arabia's biotechnology sector.
The center will also give presentations on biotechnology and health research, the Saudi Biobank, and the sector's role in Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Health will launch an accelerator program for biotech startups and host a reception for global investors and industry experts to discuss potential partnerships.
The participation underscores Saudi Arabia's efforts to support research and development through digital infrastructure, regulatory support, and institutional collaboration.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
A new flavor for Saudi restaurant meals starting July 1
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — In less than 10 days, the restaurant experience in Saudi Arabia will be completely different from what the diners have been used to for decades. Starting July 1, the new rules regulating restaurant meals are scheduled to take effect, in accordance with the Saudi Food Regulation Policy. The most notable changes will include a list of the menu's ingredients, including calories, details of its nutritional components, and a warning about any ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction in some diners. The new regulation will be implemented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), which emphasizes the need to provide healthy and safe food options for families and diners of restaurants, especially given the large number of people who require meals that do not cause allergies. Starting July 1, restaurants will be required to change their menus to include a clear list of calories, fat and sugar content, sodium (salt) levels, and clear information about allergens. SFDA noted that food outlets will be mandated to display detailed nutritional information on their menus from this date. This includes placing a 'saltshaker' label next to meals high in sodium as a clear guide, disclosing the caffeine content of beverages, and indicating the estimated time required to burn off the calories from a meal. These requirements apply to all menus, whether physical or online, and extend to online food ordering platforms. A large segment of Saudi consumers have welcomed these new regulations, especially given the growing concern in the Kingdom about rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Displaying this information will enable diners to adequately protect their health. Restaurant and café owners have welcomed the new food regulations, to the point that some have even taken the initiative to choose food alternatives that are healthier for their customers. Through these initiatives, the SFDA aims to promote healthier food options, encourage a balanced lifestyle, and help consumers track their salt and caffeine intake in relation to approved health recommendations. The Saudi government is providing all possible assistance to owners of restaurants and cafés to navigate this phase and adapt to Saudi food regulations. The new regulations reflect the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goal of improving the quality of life for citizens.
Arab News
14 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi dentists bring new expertise home from South Korea's top medical schools
SEOUL: When Mohammed Al-Keshan left Makkah to study at South Korea's top university, he found himself not just 8,000 km away from home, but also in a place where everything seemed different from what he was used to. Al-Keshan was already 32 when he started his dentistry residency at Seoul National University in 2017. He neither knew the language nor culture — and at that time, there were not many other students in Saudi Arabia with the experience of pursuing medicine in South Korea. 'Then, there was loneliness and homesickness. The courses were more intense (than in Saudi Arabia), and it took me about two to three months to adapt,' he told Arab News. 'It is not easy to learn at this age and to adapt to the culture. But the Korean people are very kind and smart. They gave me a lot of advice and were very helpful.' Al-Keshan became one of the pioneers in a growing medical exchange program under the Saudi and Korean ministries of health that places a special focus on dental sciences. The Seoul National University School of Dentistry, where he was enrolled, is ranked among the world's 30 best dental schools. After completing his residency in 2021 and receiving certification from the Saudi board, he returned to South Korea in 2024 to pursue further professional development at a special facility that his school runs: the Seoul Dental Hospital for the Disabled. While in other countries dental care for people with disabilities is usually part of general dental care or is provided at specialized departments within broader hospitals, the South Korean hospital is the only dedicated dental hospital in the world exclusively for patients with disabilities. 'Saudi Arabia does not have a whole dental hospital that is dedicated to special needs care like the one at SNU. So, I would like to coordinate with the Ministry of Health to create one when I go back to Saudi Arabia,' Al-Keshan said. 'I would like to help build something similar … because people with special needs have different dentistry needs.' The Saudi-Korean medical exchange program, which began in 2015, initially accepted no more than five dentists per year. The number has since more than doubled. 'I was the second batch that the MOH was sending to Korea. The first batch was in 2015 … It was usually under five people,' Al-Keshan said. 'I think it is around 11 or 12. So, there are many more people now.' For South Korea, the initiative has become a model for global cooperation in healthcare and is resulting in a wave of medical professionals bringing global expertise back to the Kingdom. Prof. Lee Yong-moo, head of SNU Dental Hospital, vowed during this year's commencement ceremony for Saudi doctors to continue the training program to 'nurture talent to develop Saudi Arabia's dentistry field' as the program 'has become a milestone global exchange project that contributes to the growing friendship between the two countries.' As the program expands, more young Saudi dentists are coming to South Korea to study at its top institutions. One of them is Youssef Bajnaid, a 33-year-old dentist from Jeddah, who arrived in South Korea in 2023. He is currently completing his residency in prosthodontics at Kyung Hee University — another institution known for its strong dental program. He studied dentistry for seven years in Saudi Arabia and after a year of learning Korean at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is now a resident in the prosthodontics department. 'My batch is 11 doctors … We want to know the (latest) treatment methods in the dentistry field,' he said. 'And I want to represent my country during my work. I get a lot of support from my professors at Kyung Hee … We have the same vision.'
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
International Yoga Day highlights Saudi Arabia's growing wellness movement
As the world marks International Yoga Day on June 21, a growing number of Saudis are rolling out their mats – not just for fitness, but for peace of mind. In a region where conversations around mental health are rapidly evolving, yoga is gaining ground as a tool for emotional balance, stress relief, and self-care. 'In Saudi Arabia, cultural shifts and increased awareness of holistic health have sparked interest in practices that support both mental and physical wellbeing,' Antony Bainbridge, Head of Clinical Services and Clinical Lead at Resicare Alliance, told Al Arabiya English in an interview. When Lana Nazer, Yoga and Wellness Instructor, first opened Karama Yoga Studio in Jeddah in 2016, yoga was relatively new in the mainstream wellness scene in Saudi Arabia. 'Not many people really knew what yoga was, and those who did had very limited access to it. There were almost no bilingual spaces that felt culturally familiar or inclusive, and very few studios offered the kind of variety and international standards of teaching that I was passionate about bringing to my community,' she told Al Arabiya English. Fast forward to today, the practice has seen exponential growth. 'We now teach thousands of students every year, many of them Saudi, and the appetite for holistic wellbeing is stronger than ever. There's a new generation redefining what health and movement look like, blending tradition with modern wellness in such a powerful and authentic way,' Nazer said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lana Nazer . لنا ناظر (@lananazer_official) In 2021, the Ministry of Sports launched the 'Saudi Yoga Committee,' a sports committee that operates under the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, in response to its increased popularity. According to the committee's website: 'Yoga has a large fan base across the country, and there is a genuine desire to supervise and develop its activities, as well as to support and improve the performance of yogis and sport professionals.' Societal shifts and inclusivity Once viewed as a niche or foreign concept, yoga is now part of mainstream wellness discussions in the Kingdom, particularly among youth and women. 'As stigma around mental health diminishes in Saudi Arabia, yoga has emerged as a socially acceptable, non-clinical way to manage stress and emotional challenges,' Bainbridge noted. The low-impact and accommodating nature of the sport makes it particularly favored by women in the Kingdom. 'At Karama Yoga, we teach with empathy. Every class is layered. We offer variations, we speak both Arabic and English, and we make sure everyone feels welcome, whether it's their first time or their hundredth. We honor tradition, but we teach in a modern, inclusive way that speaks to today's Saudi – mind, body, and soul,' Nazer said. Since the launch of Vision 2030, the percentage of women's involvement in sports in the Kingdom has increased by 150 percent, according to the General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT). Societal shifts are enabling women to take a proactive approach towards fitness and wellness – and yoga fits right in. The rise of mental wellbeing A 2025 study by Gymnation – the largest survey of its kind conducted in the Middle East – showed 92 percent of residents in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates value mental wellbeing. For many, yoga offers a culturally compatible outlet that blends mindfulness, movement, and spiritual reflection. 'Its focus on mindfulness and inner peace aligns with Islamic principles of reflection and self-care,' Bainbridge explained, adding that this makes yoga 'both culturally resonant and spiritually compatible.' The science backs it up. Yoga combines breathwork, gentle physical movement, and meditation – elements proven to regulate the nervous system and lower cortisol levels. 'Yoga fosters present-moment awareness and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping individuals self-regulate emotions,' Bainbridge said. In a fast-moving world, the practice offers a grounding space, according to Karama Yoga's founder. 'For young Saudis, it's become a powerful tool for self-awareness, confidence, and emotional strength. It helps cultivate inner calm, sharpen focus, and build resilience both on and off the mat. It's more than movement. It's emotional resilience, breathwork for anxiety, and a deeper connection to self,' she said. Even in clinical settings, the ancient practice is beginning to find its place. Bainbridge said: 'In Saudi Arabia, while still emerging, some rehabilitation and wellness clinics have started integrating yoga to support treatment for depression, PTSD, and stress-related disorders.' The goal isn't to replace therapy, he added, but to complement it – giving patients more tools to cope with trauma and emotional strain. So, could yoga be part of national health policy one day? Bainbridge and Nazer believe it should be. 'Yoga can be integrated into Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 health goals by promoting it in schools, workplaces, and public wellness programs,' he said. 'Training healthcare providers to use yoga as preventive and rehabilitative care, particularly for stress and lifestyle diseases, can position it as a cost-effective, culturally adaptive solution.' As for Nazer, she said: 'The future of yoga in Saudi is bold and beautiful. With Vision 2030 supporting wellness and female empowerment, I see yoga becoming more integrated into everyday life in schools, workplaces, retreats, and public spaces.' 'My dream is to have every person in Saudi to try yoga at least once by 2030. I truly believe Saudi is the future of wellness. We're not just following global trends anymore. We're leading them in our own way,' she added. As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace both innovation and tradition in its transformation, yoga appears to be more than a fleeting wellness trend – it's becoming a meaningful part of how people move, breathe, and feel better in their bodies and minds.
