Ended
Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 2026
14–16 SEP 2026· 3 days · In person
Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre · Riyadh
Free
About the event
The Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit (RGMBS) 2026 stands as a premier international platform that bridges scientific discovery with strategic investment, hosted at the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre and organized by the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC). This landmark event is deeply aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy launched in 2024 under the direction of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, positioning biotechnology as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's economic diversification and sustainable development. Professionals across healthcare, research, investment, and policy should attend to gain unparalleled insights into the four core pillars: building capabilities, investment and funding, research and development infrastructure, and governmental strategies and regulatory support.
Typical topics covered at RGMBS include cutting-edge advancements in medical biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, industrial bioprocessing, and precision medicine, alongside sessions on regulatory frameworks, talent development, and public-private partnerships. Attendees will explore how biotechnology can address national health priorities, reduce import dependency, and create high-value jobs. The summit uniquely connects scientific leadership with investment capital and policy frameworks, enabling delegates to understand the full innovation lifecycle—from lab research to market deployment.
For professionals, attending RGMBS offers direct access to government policymakers, clinical innovators, industry leaders, and global investors, fostering collaborations that accelerate the localization of biotechnology innovation. Participants will gain actionable knowledge on navigating Saudi Arabia's evolving regulatory environment, securing funding for biotech ventures, and leveraging the Kingdom's strategic geographic position for bio-based industries. Ultimately, RGMBS empowers attendees to contribute to Saudi Arabia's global competitiveness, drive sustainable health solutions, and play a pivotal role in transforming the nation into a biotech hub that serves both regional and international markets.
Agenda
40- 09:00–09:15Welcome RemarksSpeakers: Saad Al Mohrij
- 09:15–09:35National Biotech Strategy: Ambitious VisionPresentation · Speakers: Namer Balilah
- 09:35–10:05Global Partnerships in BiotechPanel Discussion · Speakers: Steve Qing Yang, Ahmed Alaskar, Eric Garfunkel, Alec Reynolds, Jackie Ying
- 10:05–10:25Computational Biology in ActionPresentation · Speakers: Nikolay V. Dokholyan · Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Biotech
- 10:45–11:05Multi-Agent AI Hubs for Cancer Access and Clinical TrialsPresentation · Speakers: Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla · Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Biotech
- 11:05–11:25Genome Editing Beyond CRISPR: Mitochondrial DNA Editing In Vitro and In VivoPresentation · Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Biotech
- 11:25–11:45AI-Enabled Biocatalysis and Synthetic Biology for Drug DevelopmentPresentation · Speakers: Xiaoguang Lei · Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Biotech
- 11:45–12:00Building KSA’s AI-Biotech VisionPresentation · Theme: Artificial Intelligence in Biotech
- 13:00–14:30Official Opening CeremonyOpening Ceremony · Theme: Official Opening Ceremony
- 14:45–15:15The KAIMRC Gene Therapy Localization Journey: From Vision to ImplementationPresentation · Speakers: Marcello Maresca, Seng H. Cheng, Sausan Alfaris · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 15:15–15:45Population Genomics as a National AssetPresentation · Speakers: Fowzan Alkuraya, Khalid Fakhro · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 15:45–16:05Genetic Basis of Experimental Autoimmune DiseasesPresentation · Speakers: Vijay Kumar Kuchroo · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 16:05–16:25From Heatstroke Biology to Bedside Diagnostics: A Saudi Translational Model for Precision Acute CarePresentation · Speakers: Abderrezak Bouchama · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 16:25–16:45Epigenomics Decoding CancerPresentation · Speakers: Zdenko Herceg · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 16:45–17:15From Population Proteomics to Precision HealthPresentation · Speakers: Cynthia Lawley, Moritz Hartmann · Theme: Multi-Omics: From Discovery to Global Impact
- 09:00–09:20Investing in AI to Shape the Biotech FuturePresentation · Speakers: Kasim Kutay · Theme: Invest in Biotech
- 09:20–09:40Structural Nanomedicine in Vaccine DevelopmentPresentation · Speakers: Chad Mirkin · Theme: Invest in Biotech
- 09:40–10:00Lifera as a National Biotech ChampionPresentation · Speakers: Fadi Al-Buhariran · Theme: Invest in Biotech
- 10:00–10:20Strategic Manufacturing: National ResiliencePanel Discussion · Speakers: Niazr Alhariri, Cornelia Heike Jahnel, Ammar Altaf, Abdulrahman Al-Samari · Theme: Invest in Biotech
- 10:40–11:10Decoding Immune Tolerance: Regulatory T Cells and the Future of MedicinePresentation · Theme: Cross Immune Insights: Tapping into the Future
- 11:10–11:30Immunity in SpacePresentation · Speakers: Rayyanah Barnawi · Theme: Cross Immune Insights: Tapping into the Future
- 11:30–11:50ImmunoCancer InsightsPresentation · Speakers: Keith Flaherty · Theme: Cross Immune Insights: Tapping into the Future
- 11:50–12:00Re-shaping Neuro-ImmunologyPresentation · Speakers: Saef Izzy · Theme: Cross Immune Insights: Tapping into the Future
- 13:00–13:30From Plate to Healthspan: Food Biotechnology, Investment and National StrategyPanel Discussion · Speakers: Sundus Sameer Malaikah · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 13:30–13:50Advances in Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Repair and Magnetic Therapy: From Research to Clinical ApplicationSpeakers: Mitsuo Ochi · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 13:50–14:10The Future of Biomedical Engineering in BiotechnologyPresentation · Speakers: Alex Shalek · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 14:10–14:30Building Saudi Biomedical Engineering CapabilityPresentation · Speakers: Batoul Albaz · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 14:30–14:50Biologics and Biosimilars Localization in KSAPresentation · Speakers: Ahmed Aljedai · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 14:30–14:50CRISPR Engineering of Circuits to Create Cell Based DrugsPresentation · Speakers: Matthew Porteus · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 15:10–15:30Biotech in Action: King Abdulaziz UniversityPresentation · Speakers: Tareef Alaama · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 15:30–16:00Marine Biotechnology and the Blue BioeconomyPanel Discussion · Speakers: Diaa Tohamy Youssef, Kyle J. Lauersen, Sana Abdulrahman Fadil, William Gerwick, Laurent Meijer · Theme: Bioengineering and Synthetic Biology: Enabling the National Biotech Strategy
- 09:00–09:20AI-Empowered Bio-WorkersPresentation · Speakers: Stefan Wagener · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 09:20–09:40Korean Bio-Health InitiativePresentation · Speakers: Youn Hee Choi · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 09:40–10:10Setting the Foundation for Clinician-Scientists in BiotechPanel Discussion · Speakers: Mohammed Bosaeed, Antonina Mitrofanova, Suman Lal, Mohammad Almuqbil · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 10:10–10:40The Economy of Scientific MindsetPanel Discussion · Speakers: Khaled Manaa Alkattan, Ashiq H. Khan, Andre Hofmann, Roger Kitterman · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 10:40–11:00Global Standards in Biotech SciencePresentation · Speakers: Adel Alharf · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 11:00–11:30Regulation as an Enabling Scientific ToolPanel Discussion · Speakers: Joseph Caspar Scheeren, Mariam Al Eissa, Abrar Almusharraf, George F. Gao, Ammar Altaf, Khalid Alburikan · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 11:30–11:50Defining the Next Era of Human Health Through Biomarker InsightPresentation · Speakers: Bandar Alghanem, Sarantis Chlamydas · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 11:50–12:00Clinical Translational ModelKeynote Presentation · Speakers: Hyun-Young Park · Theme: Biotech Workforce: Excellence from Within
- 13:00–14:00Closing CeremonyClosing Ceremony · Theme: Official Closing Ceremony
Speakers
61Fowzan AlkurayaChief Medical & Genomics OfficerSteve Qing YangCo-CEODiaa Tohamy YoussefProfessorKyle J. LauersenAssociate Professor Bioengineering, Chair Bioscience and Bioengineering ProgramsSana Abdulrahman FadilAssistant Professor and Chair, Department of Natural Products and Biotechnology, Faculty of PharmacyKhaled Manaa AlkattanConsultant thoracic surgery Dean college of medicineAhmed AlaskarExecutive DirectorMarcello MarescaSenior DirectorBandar AlghanemChairmanVijay Kumar KuchrooDirectorWilliam GerwickDistinguished Emeritus Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical SciencesNikolay V. DokholyanWeir M. and Linden C. Tucker Professor of Neurology
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Abderrezak BouchamaChairman, Experimental Medicine DepartmentSeng H. ChengSenior Vice President, Research & Product DevelopmentSaef IzzyAssociate Professor of Neurology; Director, Immunology of Brain Injury ProgramKeith FlahertyDirector of Clinical Research; Professor of MedicineArturo Loaiza-BonillaCo-Founder and Chief Medical AI Officer; Systemwide Chief of Hematology and Medical OncologySarantis ChlamydasGlobal Lead, Human Health and MultiOmics StrategyJoseph Caspar ScheerenFounderAlex ShalekDirector, Institute for Medical Engineering & Science | Institute Member | MemberNiazr AlhaririSnr. Advisor to Minister of Industry and Mineral ResourcesAshiq H. KhanEVP, Chief Commercial OfficerCynthia LawleySr Director, Global Population Health and Scientific StrategyEric GarfunkelVice President for Global AffairsAndré HofmannChief Executive OfficerHyun-Young ParkProfessorSundus Sameer MalaikahAssistant ProfessorRoger KittermanSenior Vice President, Managing PartnerMariam Al EissaSenior Genetic ConsultantAlec ReynoldsSenior Partner, Global InitiativesXiaoguang LeiProfessorJackie YingChief Innovation and Research OfficerStefan WagenerChief Executive Officer and Co-FounderMohammed BosaeedConsultant, Adult Infectious Diseases/Chairman, Infectious Disease Research DepartmentKhalid FakhroChief Medical Genomics LeaderZdenko HercegHead of Epigenomics and Mechanisams BranchMoritz HartmannHead of Roche Information SolutionsKasim KutayChief Executive OfficerRayyanah BarnawiAstronaut and Biomedical Researcher/SupervisorMitsuo Ochi12th PresidentAhmed AljedaiVice Chairman and Managing DirectorMatthew PorteusProfessor of PediatricsTareef AlaamaPresidentLaurent MeijerFounder, President and Chief Science OfficerSausan AlfarisScientific Liaison, Gene Therapy LocalizationSaad Al MohrijChief Medical OfficerNamer BalilahStrategy and BiotechnologyAbrar AlmusharrafAssistant CEO of Labs & Research SectorChad MirkinDirector, International Institute for NanotechnologyCornelia Heike JahnelHead of Investor RelationsFadi Al-BuhariranGroup Chief Executive OfficerBatoul AlbazVice President, Health SectorYoun Hee ChoiSenior Research FellowAntonina MitrofanovaAssociate Dean for Research, Deputy Director, ProfessorSuman LalFounder, Industry Advisor in Healthcare and Medicine, Senior AdvisorMohammad AlmuqbilPediatric Neurology & Neurogenetics Consultant, Associate ProfessorAdel AlharfVice President for Drug SectorGeorge F. GaoDirector, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases; Director, CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of MicrobiologyAmmar AltafAssistant Deputy Minister for Industrial SectorsKhalid AlburikanDeputy Minister of Health for InvestmentAbdulrahman Al-SamariChief Executive Officer
The venue
24.71N 46.65E
Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre
Event news
All news →Biotech Investment to Create 11,000 Jobs in Saudi Arabia by 2030, Summit Told20 SEPKACST Highlights National Biotech Capacity Building at Riyadh Summit17 SEPRiyadh Medical Biotechnology Summit closes with over 40 agreements worth more than SAR 5 billion17 SEPSDAIA Showcases Data and AI Initiatives at Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 202615 SEPKing Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation and KIMARC Sign Four Biotechnology Agreements at Riyadh Summit15 SEPRiyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 2026 to Open Monday Under Crown Prince's Patronage9 SEPRiyadh Biocentral Foundation launched alongside RGMBS 2026 announcement25 MAR