US-based artificial intelligence and quantum technology firm SandboxAQ announced a landmark agreement with Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, to accelerate drug development and build biotech assets worth $1 billion. The deal was unveiled on the sidelines of Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Monday.
The partnership will allow Bahrain to license SandboxAQ's advanced quantitative models—trained on physics, chemistry, and biology—to speed up drug discovery and scientific innovation. According to a joint statement, the collaboration aims to establish Bahrain as a regional biotech hub, with a joint research committee overseeing a three-year program focused on developing new therapeutics.
Creating Regional Biotech Intellectual Property
SandboxAQ CEO Jack Hidary emphasized that the collaboration will enable Bahrain to create and own its own intellectual property in biotech, particularly targeting diseases common in the region such as diabetes and genetic disorders.
"Traditionally, most biotech IP is concentrated in a handful of countries. This enables Bahrain to develop its own assets focused on both regional and global health priorities," Hidary told Reuters.
Leveraging Local Healthcare Infrastructure
The agreement will leverage Bahrain's digital health datasets and hospital infrastructure to design and test new therapies. Clinical trials are expected to begin locally and potentially expand to multiple sites, utilizing the country's existing healthcare framework to support drug development efforts.
Expanding Gulf Region Partnerships
Hidary indicated that SandboxAQ is also in discussions with other Gulf countries about similar partnerships, suggesting a broader regional expansion of AI-driven drug discovery initiatives. Earlier this year, Saudi Aramco signed an agreement with SandboxAQ to deploy its quantum models to enhance the value of downstream products, demonstrating the company's growing presence in the region's advanced computing and data-driven innovation sector.
The three-year program represents a significant investment in biotechnology infrastructure and positions Bahrain to compete in the global pharmaceutical development landscape while addressing specific regional health challenges.
