KACST Showcases Innovations In Health Technologies And Disease Control At Global Health Exhibition

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) participated in the Global Health Exhibition from October 21 to 23 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. The event, themed "Invest in Health," aimed to enhance local content in the health sector. Dr. Batoul bint Mohammed Yousef Baz, KACST Vice President of the Health Sector, discussed KACST's role as a national laboratory and innovation hub.

Dr. Baz emphasized the significance of partnerships among the health sector, research centers, private entities, non-profit organizations, and innovation incubators. These collaborations aim to find innovative solutions that advance healthcare services and improve public health and quality of life. She highlighted the strategic partnership with Seha Virtual Hospital in establishing a clinical trials center for digital health solutions.

The clinical trials center aims to enhance Saudi Arabia's global position in clinical research by enabling innovation and evaluating startups within a health innovation incubator environment. Dr. Baz also stressed the importance of adhering to research ethics frameworks and regulations. This commitment has helped the Saudi Food and Drug Authority reach maturity level 4 (ML4) in regulating medicines and vaccines.

In a session titled "Utilization of Bio-engineering in infection control - Biocontrol of Dengue Fever Project," Dr. Essam Tawfik, KACST General Manager of the Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics Institute, highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts in controlling dengue fever using Wolbachia replacement technology. This initiative is conducted in collaboration with Weqaya and Jeddah Municipality.

KACST's pavilion at the exhibition showcased its National Laboratory's efforts to localize health technologies for controlling vector-borne diseases through eco-friendly methods like Wolbachia replacement technology. The pavilion also featured NanoPalm, a Garage incubated company offering low-cost biorobots for treating sickle cell disease, which enhances clinical trial success rates while reducing costs.

KACST introduced visitors to GDDPS—Genomic-Driven Rx—developed with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. This system uses drug notification data from pharmacovigilance platforms alongside genetic databases like the Saudi Genome Database to inform treatment decisions based on global legislation such as CPIC guidelines.

Epidemic Prediction Platform

KACST presented its epidemic prediction platform designed to tackle pandemics like Covid-19 by supporting public health measures through AI technologies. It analyzes demographic, geographical, environmental, and medical data to develop predictive models that identify factors contributing to epidemic spread in population centers.

The "Alamy" platform was also showcased by KACST during the exhibition. This tool helps patients track symptoms accurately and manage pain using advanced applications and wearable devices. It facilitates effective communication with doctors for managing pain while providing data analysis profiles for personalized treatment planning.

The exhibition highlighted KACST's commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation, partnerships, and technology localization. These efforts aim to improve public health outcomes while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in clinical research and technological advancements within the health sector.

With inputs from SPA