Aurobindo to build pharmaceutical factory in KAEC

Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer Aurobindo has become the latest global conglomerate to launch at King Abdullah Economic City’s (KAEC) Industrial Valley.
The company’s investment arm has leased a site in phase one of the Industrial Valley to build its first manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, set to produce oral tablets and capsules. The deal is part of the joint effort by KAEC and the National Industrial Clusters Development Program, with pharmaceuticals being one of six major industries targeted by the drive.
“This partnership is yet another indicator that KAEC is moving forward with its strategic goals and future vision,” said Fahd Al-Rasheed, MD and CEO of KAEC.
Aurobindo has more than 20 manufacturing facilities with several partnerships in India, Europe, the United States, and Brazil. The company intends to invest in a phased plan, starting with the production of medicines to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. The facility is expected to generate more than 150 specialized jobs.
“The decision to base our company’s regional operations in Saudi Arabia came in response to the rising demand for our products in the Gulf,” said Madan Mohan Reddy, director of Aurobindo Pharma
Khalid Al-Salem, president of the National Industrial Clusters Development Program, said: “The fact that we were able to attract this deal at this particular time attests to the very strength of the Saudi economy.”
Nizar Hariri, the program’s VP for Pharma and Biotech Clusters, said that Aurobindo’s decision to enter the Saudi market was based on precise standards for the growth of high-quality drugs and competitively priced branded generics.
Rayan Qutub, CEO of the Industrial Valley, said, “The entry of a leading international company of Aurobindo Pharma’s caliber is yet another milestone in the Industrial Valley’s success in attracting world-renowned pharmaceutical manufacturers.”