New partnership aims to localise vaccine production and strengthen animal health security in the Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has entered a strategic partnership with France to build a domestic veterinary vaccine industry, marking a major step toward stronger animal health systems and improved biosecurity. The collaboration brings together Saudi authorities and French pharmaceutical expertise to develop local manufacturing capacity for veterinary vaccines and related biotechnology products.
The agreement has been concluded under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and involves France’s animal health company CEVA. The initiative focuses on transferring technical know-how, expanding commercial-scale production, and supporting innovation in veterinary medicine within the Kingdom.
By producing vaccines locally, Saudi Arabia aims to reduce reliance on imported products while ensuring a more stable and secure supply for livestock and poultry sectors. Officials view the move as part of a broader strategy to modernise animal health infrastructure and safeguard food systems against disease outbreaks. The partnership is also expected to contribute to regional veterinary research, improve disease surveillance, and create new opportunities for skilled jobs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing. With global concerns rising over animal-borne diseases and supply chain vulnerabilities, the Saudi-French collaboration reflects a growing international push toward self-sufficiency and resilience in veterinary healthcare.
