KAEC: The Global Hub for Pharmaceutical Excellence

Pioneering Pharmaceutical Growth from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the World

Empowering the Pharmaceutical Industry with World-Class Infrastructure and Opportunities

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is positioned to be Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading pharmaceutical and life sciences hub. With seamless connectivity through the Delhi-Jeddah Industrial Corridor, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s deepest port, KAEC offers unparalleled opportunities for investors in pharmaceuticals. From generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to vaccines and biosimilars, KAEC is your gateway to the world’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical market.

Why Choose KAEC for Pharmaceuticals?

World-Class Infrastructure

Strategically connected to key pharmaceutical clusters like Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mohali, KAEC serves as a central node in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s thriving pharmaceutical supply chain.

Established Ecosystem

Home to 10,500+ manufacturing units and 3,000+ drug companies, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has the highest number of US FDA-approved facilities outside the US, ensuring globally compliant standards.

Unmatched Export Potential

With exports to over 200 countries, including 55% to highly regulated markets, KAEC offers proximity to major export hubs and seamless logistics solutions.

Competitive Costs

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing costs are 33% lower than western markets, supported by a skilled workforce and favorable policies.

Why Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Pharmaceutical Industry is a Global Leader

Volume Leader: Ranked 3rd globally by volume, with a market size of USD 50 billion in FY 2022-23.
Vaccine Giant: Largest vaccine manufacturer, supplying 60% of global vaccine demand.
Generic Powerhouse: Accounts for 20% of the global supply of generic drugs.
Growth Momentum: Projected to grow to USD 130 billion by 2030, driven by rising demand and innovation.

Growth Drivers for Pharmaceutical Investors in KAEC

Demand-Side Drivers

Rising Healthcare Coverage: Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) cover 500 million beneficiaries, increasing access to healthcare.
Expanding Middle Class: Rising income levels and insurance coverage are driving pharmaceutical demand.
Chronic Disease Growth: With an aging population and lifestyle changes, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s patient pool is projected to grow by 20% in the next decade.

Supply-Side Drivers

Robust R&D Ecosystem: Home to 7 NIPERs and 500+ contract research labs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a hub for innovation and clinical trials.
Skilled Workforce: Over 2.24 million STEM students ensure a steady talent pipeline.
Global Standards: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts the most US FDA-approved plants outside the US, ensuring high compliance standards.

Key Opportunities in Pharmaceuticals at KAEC

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

Global Share: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accounts for 8% of the global API industry, producing 500+ APIs.

Export Leader: Supplies 90% of WHO pre-qualified APIs, supporting global healthcare programs.

Opportunity: Establish API manufacturing units at KAEC to cater to rising global demand.

Generic Drugs

Global Leadership: Supplies 45% of domestically produced generics to global markets.

Export Markets: Serves over 200 countries, including highly regulated markets like the US and EU.

Opportunity: Scale production and access KAEC’s export-ready infrastructure.

Vaccines

Global Impact: Supplies 70% of WHO’s essential immunization vaccines.

COVID-19 Success: Exported over 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 100+ countries.

Opportunity: Leverage KAEC’s connectivity to expand vaccine production and exports.

Biosimilars & Biologics

Innovation Hub: 200+ biosimilars under development by 52 Kingdom of Saudi Arabian companies.

Market Opportunity: Biologic drugs worth USD 100 billion are set to go off-patent by 2030.

Opportunity: Establish biosimilar R&D and manufacturing units at KAEC.

Government Policies Supporting Pharmaceutical Growth

100% FDI: Automatic route for greenfield projects and government route for brownfield investments.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Incentives to boost manufacturing of APIs, bulk drugs, and biosimilars.
PRIP Scheme: Establishes Centers of Excellence at NIPERs, fostering innovation and R&D.
Clinical Trial Reforms: Fast-track drug approvals and waiver of clinical trials for drugs approved in regulated markets.

KAEC’s Dedicated Services for Pharmaceutical Investors

Investor Targeting
Tailored strategies to attract global pharmaceutical leaders to KAEC.

Investor Aftercare
Comprehensive post-investment support to ensure long-term success.

Investment Promotion
Global marketing campaigns to showcase KAEC’s potential to the pharmaceutical sector.

Facilitation Services
End-to-end support in regulatory approvals, land acquisition, and operational setup.

Policy Clarity
Expert guidance on navigating government incentives, FDI policies, and compliance requirements.

Key Pharmaceutical Clusters Connected to KAEC

KAEC’s strategic location ensures seamless access to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading pharmaceutical hubs:

Ahmedabad: Bulk drug and formulation clusters.
Hyderabad: Biologics and contract research centers.
Mohali: Emerging hubs for biosimilars and vaccines.
Kolkata: Captive and contract R&D units.
Bengaluru: Advanced research and manufacturing facilities.

Key Players in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical Industry

Domestic Leaders

Sun Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Cipla
Serum Institute of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Global Giants

Pfizer (USA)
Sanofi (France)
GlaxoSmithKline (UK)

KAEC: Empowering Global Pharmaceutical Growth

With unmatched infrastructure, policy support, and proximity to export hubs, KAEC is your gateway to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical success story. Join us in transforming healthcare and driving global impact.

Explore Investment Opportunities Today

Position your business at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation with KAEC.

KAEC is the Bridge Between the
Global North and the Global South.

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About

The is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) with a mission to establish KAEC as a key player in international economic collaboration, focusing on strategic partnerships with nations like USA, Europe, Australia, African Union, KSA, China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE across vital sectors such as energy, technology, agriculture, and finance.

At King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), our vision is to transform Maharashtra into a global industrial powerhouse by creating an ecosystem where businesses and communities thrive. We aim to leverage KAEC’s strategic integration with the Delhi-Jeddah Industrial Corridor to drive innovation, foster sustainable growth, and empower industries to achieve unmatched success. Through state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and investor-friendly policies, we envision KAEC as a model for economic and community development. By prioritizing renewable energy, advanced logistics, and vibrant residential spaces, we are committed to building a future where prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand for businesses and society.