Riyadh is rapidly emerging as the Middle East‘s most strategically important life sciences hub, combining government-backed investment, a growing regulatory framework, and expanding international partnerships to attract leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.
February 2026- Saudi Arabia‘s capital city Riyadh is set to become the Middle East’s premier life sciences destination when CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East converge at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, from May 11โ13, 2026.
Held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, the co-located summits are expected to draw over 60,000 visitors, 1,000 exhibiting brands and 400-plus speakers representing more than 100 countries. Major industry players including Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Novartis and Sinovac are among confirmed participants.
The events align directly with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s National Biotechnology Strategy, which targets a biotechnology contribution exceeding USD 34 billion to non-oil GDP by 2040. Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical market, currently valued at USD 11.8 billion, is forecast to hit USD 15.6 billion by 2030.
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Attendees will access investment forums, ministerial engagements, scientific sessions and the BIO partneringONEยฎ platform making its Middle East debut to fast-track licensing deals and market entry strategies across the global life sciences sector.
