Boehringer Ingelheim Partners with Saudi Arabia’s Alpha Pharma to Manufacture Diabetes Drug
- Healthcare and General Service
- October 1, 2024
Highlights
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Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Saudi firm Alpha Pharma to locally manufacture a type 2 diabetes drug
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This collaboration is part of Boehringer’s broader initiative to enhance local pharmaceutical capabilities, addressing the growing prevalence of chronic conditions
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The partnership supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s healthcare sector
Germany-based pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim is collaborating with Saudi Arabian healthcare firm Alpha Pharma to transfer technical know-how for the production of a type 2 diabetes medication. Under this partnership, Alpha Pharma will manufacture linagliptin, a drug commonly marketed under the brand name Trajenta or Tradjenta, which is frequently prescribed as a first-line treatment to lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients.
This collaboration is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s broader initiative to enhance local pharmaceutical capacity in the region, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan. The initiative focuses on transforming the country’s healthcare sector through digitization and achieving self-sufficiency, particularly in response to the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership is also a continuation of Boehringer’s commitment to advancing treatment options in cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. The transfer of technology and knowledge fulfills Vision 2030’s objectives of improving the quality of healthcare services and strengthening preventive measures.
Dr. Raed Al-Soweid, an official at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, emphasized that this collaboration will play a key role in localizing pharmaceutical production in Saudi Arabia, while also advancing the kingdom’s technological and pharmaceutical capabilities.
Currently, nearly 18% of the adult population in Saudi Arabia is affected by diabetes, a number expected to rise to 24.3% by 2026. The condition is more prevalent in urban areas, with 25.5% of the population affected, compared to 19.5% in rural regions. Moreover, about 28% of diabetics in the country are either undiagnosed or unaware of their condition, exacerbating the associated health risks.
