King Abdulaziz University and Diana Medical Factory Sign MoU to Support Research Innovation and Localize Pharmaceutical Industries

King Abdulaziz University, represented by the King Fahd Medical Research Center in
cooperation with the Center of Research Excellence for Drug Research and
Pharmaceutical Industries, signed a memorandum of understanding with Diana
Medical Factory. The MoU aims to strengthen research and scientific cooperation in
ways that contribute to improving quality of life, achieving sustainable development
goals, and developing national capabilities.

Representing the university at the signing was Vice President for Scientific Research
and Innovation Prof. Amin bin Youssef Noaman, while Diana Medical Factory was
represented by Executive Director of the Research and Development Center Dr.
Abdullah Omar Salem Bawazir. Through the MoU, both parties seek to build a
knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, research, and development.

The MoU aims to develop and train talent in modern pharmaceutical technologies,
molecular genetics, and genomics. It also supports scientific research in human,
animal, and environmental health; promotes the development of new pharmaceutical
products using advanced technologies; and enables the transition of research
outputs from the laboratory stage to industrial applications that meet the needs of the
Saudi market, strengthen national drug security, and support the localization of
pharmaceutical industries.

Areas of cooperation include exploring opportunities to develop and train human
talent, support scientific research in health-related fields, advance sophisticated
pharmaceutical industries, and develop innovative manufacturing technologies
aligned with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, in addition to developing
validated analytical methods.

As part of its initial projects, the MoU targets performance indicators that include
training talent from both parties and exploring opportunities to employ students or
collaborating researchers as contributors or staff members, as appropriate. The
projects also include providing logistical support to advance research for the
production of medical products registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority
and completing clinical trials through the Ministry of Industry, alongside developing
biosimilar products and modern pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.