CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East are set to take place in Riyadh in 2026, with organisers saying the co-located events will place Saudi Arabia at the centre of the global life sciences sector. The summits will run from 11–13 May 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health.
For the first time, CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East will be held together, creating a single platform for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and wider life sciences industries. Organisers said the combined format is intended to support scientific collaboration, investment activity and advanced manufacturing, positioning Riyadh as a regional meeting point for global stakeholders.
A number of international companies have been confirmed as exhibitors, including Boston Oncology, Johnson & Johnson, Fakeeh Care Group, M42 Arabia, Sinovac Holding Group, Eli Lilly and Novartis. The integrated events will present Saudi Arabia’s efforts to scale its pharmaceutical and biotechnology capabilities, aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy.
Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical market is forecast to grow to USD 15.6 billion by 2030, up from USD 11.8 billion in 2024. Under Vision 2030 plans, biotechnology is expected to contribute more than USD 34 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP by 2040, representing 3% of the total. Organisers said these projections reflect the scale of opportunity being created through public investment, evolving regulation and increasing international partnerships.
Mundhir Al-Hakim, Exhibition Director, CPHI & BIO Middle East, Tahaluf, said: “CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East 2026 editions are expected to welcome more than 60,000 visitors, 1,000 exhibiting brands and 400+ speakers from more than 100 countries, making it the most comprehensive life sciences gathering ever hosted in the region. Across three days, attendees will engage in strategic panels, technical deep dives, investment forums, scientific sessions, workshops and highlevel ministerial engagements. The event will also introduce the BIO partneringONE® platform to the Middle East for the first time, enabling targeted one-to-one meetings designed to accelerate licensing deals, collaborations and market entry strategies for global and regional companies.”
Global medicine spending is projected to reach approximately USD 1.6 trillion in 2025. The sector is being reshaped by developments in AI-enabled drug discovery, precision medicine and next generation treatment approaches, which are changing how research is carried out and how new therapies reach patients. Organisers said these themes will feature prominently across the programmes.
Saudi Arabia’s National Biotechnology Strategy, launched in 2024, sets out plans to position the Kingdom as a global biotechnology hub by 2040. The strategy includes creating more than 11,000 specialised jobs, expanding local vaccine and biopharmaceutical production, and accelerating genomics, precision medicine and advanced research and development. CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East will align their content with these national objectives, providing coverage across the value chain from early scientific discovery through to manufacturing, distribution and commercialisation.
BIO Middle East will centre on next generation therapies, including cell and gene therapy, as well as digital and data-driven research and development, clinical trial innovation, vaccine development, biomanufacturing and supply chain resilience. The programme will also feature innovation pitch sessions for early-stage biotechnology companies and emerging talent from around the world, offering investors and industry leaders direct access to new scientific ideas. Practical workshops delivered through the EBD Academy will focus on partnering, investment readiness and commercialisation.
CPHI Middle East will cover the wider pharmaceutical landscape, bringing together API suppliers, CDMOs, machinery and equipment providers, packaging specialists, logistics partners and technology companies. Its agenda will examine quality and GMP standards, sustainable manufacturing, advanced factory technologies, regulatory alignment and workforce development. Dedicated stages, including the Women in Pharma Forum and CPHI Academy, will address leadership, skills and inclusion within the industry.
The joint staging of CPHI Middle East and BIO Middle East is expected to create an end-to-end showcase for pharmaceutical and biotechnology development. Organisers said dedicated areas will include a Deals Hub for partnership signings, an Investor Programme and a Saudi Biotech Garden highlighting national capabilities. Closed roundtable sessions will address topics such as AI-driven drug discovery, rare disease solutions, precision oncology and regional regulatory frameworks. The overall platform is designed to support Saudi Arabia’s localisation agenda, encourage international collaboration and attract long-term investment from global organisations.
