MoH: New protocol for treatment abroad
September 27, 2020

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health approved on Saturday a new protocol for patients whose treatment requires travel outside the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Ministry explained that patients wishing to travel abroad for treatment at their own expense need to meet certain conditions set by the ministry — firstly, by obtaining an acceptance of treatment from a hospital or specialized center in a medically developed country....

Saudi Ministry of Health: Travel restrictions lifted for treatment abroad
September 26, 2020

JEDDAH: The protocol for patients whose treatment requires travel outside the Kingdom has been approved by the Saudi authorities, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday.

Patients wishing to travel abroad for treatment at their own expense need to meet certain conditions set by the ministry — firstly, by obtaining an acceptance of treatment from a hospital or specialized center"...

Hi-tech warehouse opens in Saudi Arabia to serve health sector
September 24, 2020

JEDDAH: The Public Investment Fund’s National Unified Procurement Co. (NUPCO) has opened a new automated warehouse in King Abdullah Economic City that provides comprehensive distribution and storage for the state health sector.
This is part of NUPCO’s efforts to support the health sector and provide smart supply chains and high-quality logistical services in a partnership agreement with a pioneering private company.
The warehouse is one of"...

Vifor Pharma announces outcome of AFFIRM-AHF topline data
September 24, 2020

• The study narrowly missed statistical significance on the primary endpoint
• Pre-specified adjustment of COVID-19 impact, the study showed a statistically significant advantage
• The totality of evidence suggests that Ferinject® is clinically beneficial in high risk heart failure patients

Regulatory News:

Vifor Pharma today announced topline data"...

TFC announces $1m prize for positive poultry challenge
September 24, 2020

Global innovators and entrepreneurs have been invited to submit sustainable solutions for repurposing poultry waste as part of a sustainability challenge.

Tanmiah Food Company (TFC) is seeking innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by the excess amounts of poultry manure generated by their farms.

Naif Al-Harbi, head of research quality management at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center
September 23, 2020

Dr. Naif Al-Harbi is the director of vaccine development unit and head of research quality management at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC).

KAIMRC recently confirmed its willingness to cooperate with the Health Ministry and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to test vaccines that are currently in their trial phase.

Al-Harbi"...

Saudi health authorities ready to join trials of COVID-19 vaccines
September 22, 2020

JEDDAH: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) in Saudi Arabia is preparing to take part in advanced trials of one or two COVID-19 vaccines.

About 40 potential vaccines are being tested on humans, nine of which are at the advanced stage of clinical trials to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in protecting people against a virus that has infected more than 31"...

Saudi Arabia backs UN’s coronavirus response plan with $100 million
September 20, 2020

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said Friday it was donating $100 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) and toward a number of projects in support of a United Nations response plan to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement was made by the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, during a virtual event with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The International"...

Takeda Presents New Data Highlighting Scientific Advancements in Lung Cancer at ESMO Virtual Congress
September 20, 2020

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) (“Takeda”) today announced that the company is presenting data from its lung cancer portfolio at the virtual European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference. Notably, insights from sub-analyses of the Phase 3 ALTA 1L study reinforce both the compelling evidence of intracranial efficacy with ALUNBRIG® (brigatinib) as a first-line treatment for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as associated quality of life (QoL) data. Takeda is also featuring updated 10-month follow-up results from the Phase 1/2 trial of mobocertinib (TAK-788), demonstrating mobocertinib achieved a duration of response (DoR) of more than one year in the trial’s study population of patients......

Patient recruitment starts for the international PRO-SID study evaluating Panzyga® for primary prophylaxis in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and secondary immunodeficiency
September 18, 2020

Octapharma is pleased to announce that the first site for the international PRO-SID (Primary Infection Prophylaxis with Panzyga® in Secondary Immunodeficiency in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia) study was initiated in Milan, Italy, and patient recruitment is underway. Additional sites across Europe (Italy, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Germany and Russia) and the USA are expected to begin recruitment soon. PRO-SID is the first randomised, placebo-controlled study to"...