MS Pharma Secures Strategic Investment from Olayan Financing Company to Accelerate MENA Biosimilars Expansion
Key Insights
MS Pharma (search) announced a minority equity investment from Olayan Financing Company (search) to strengthen its financial position and advance growth plans in the MENA region.
The partnership will support expansion of MS Pharma (search)'s biosimilars (search) portfolio and manufacturing capabilities across the region to better serve patients and healthcare providers.
MS Pharma (search)'s biologics (search) site became the first in Saudi Arabia to receive SFDA (search) GMP approval for biologics manufacturing, with plans to become the first local biologics supplier.
MS Pharma (search), a leading pharmaceutical company in the MENA region, announced that Olayan Financing Company (search) (OFC) has made a minority equity investment in the company through a new share capital issuance. The strategic partnership is designed to accelerate MS Pharma's growth across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, with particular focus on expanding its biosimilars (search) portfolio and manufacturing capabilities.
Strategic Investment Details
The transaction involves MS Pharma (search) issuing new share capital in exchange for a substantial cash investment from OFC, resulting in OFC acquiring a minority stake while MS Pharma's existing majority shareholders retain control. The investment strengthens MS Pharma's financial position and provides flexibility to advance ambitious growth plans across the MENA region.
"We are delighted and honored to welcome OFC as partners in the company," said Ghiath Sukhtian, Chairman of MS Pharma (search). "Their global operational and investing expertise, as well as their deep roots in KSA, will add significant value to MS Pharma and benefit all our stakeholders."
Biosimilars Leadership and Manufacturing Milestones
The partnership builds on MS Pharma (search)'s established leadership in biosimilars (search), particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the company achieved a significant regulatory milestone. MS Pharma's biologics (search) site became the first in the Kingdom to receive SFDA (search) GMP approval for biologics manufacturing, positioning the company to become the first supplier of locally manufactured biologics to the Saudi market this year.
Kalle Kaend, CEO of MS Pharma (search), emphasized the timing of the investment: "This investment comes at an exciting inflection point for MS Pharma. It will enable us to deepen our expertise in biologics (search), expand our reach in KSA and the wider MENA region, and accelerate our growth in biosimilars (search)."
Alignment with Vision 2030
These milestones reinforce MS Pharma (search)'s commitment to localization under the Saudi National Biotechnology Strategy and Vision 2030. The company remains dedicated to expanding high-quality biologic therapies across the region through close collaboration with regional and international health authorities, maintaining the highest standards of regulatory excellence and quality.
Nabeel Al-Amudi, CEO of Olayan Financing Company (search), noted: "MS Pharma (search) has established itself as a leading pharmaceutical platform in the region, with strong capabilities across generics and biologics (search). We are pleased to partner with the company at this stage of its growth and look forward to supporting its continued expansion in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region."
Global Expansion Strategy
Beyond regional growth, MS Pharma (search) aims to deepen collaboration with global development and licensing partners, offering its manufacturing capabilities to support export into global markets. The company operates five manufacturing facilities across Jordan, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, including a newly launched biologics (search) plant serving the broader MENA market.
MS Pharma (search) employs over 2,000 people across 12 countries and specializes in the development, production, and distribution of generic and biologic therapies. The company is headquartered in Amman, Jordan, with management offices in Zug, Switzerland, and remains committed to improving patient access to high-quality, affordable medicines throughout the region.