Riyadh Invests SAR175 Million In Veterinary Lab For Disease Diagnosis And Vaccine Development

Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, has signed a contract for a new veterinary laboratory in Riyadh. The project, costing SAR175 million, is with a specialised national company. This laboratory aims to diagnose diseases and develop vaccines locally.

The laboratory will conduct research and applied studies to benefit animal health in Saudi Arabia. It will serve as a regional reference lab for the Middle East with high-biomarker levels. The facility will also monitor and control the spread of animal diseases through specialised tests.

According to the ministry, this initiative is part of the Veterinary Vaccines Production and Development Center's efforts. It aims to produce vaccines from local pathogenic strains. The laboratory will detect disease causes and determine their DNA sequences.

The new facility will focus on creating vaccines specific to Saudi Arabia using local microbial strains. It aims to increase the production of various local vaccines. Additionally, it will conduct applied research that supports animal wealth and health in the Kingdom.

The ministry highlighted that the lab would update standard methods for detecting animal diseases per World Organization for Animal Health standards. This ensures compliance with good laboratory practices within quality system requirements.

Enhancing Vaccine Industry

This project is part of ongoing efforts to develop new vaccines from local strains with higher immune responses than global ones. The goal is to localise the veterinary vaccine industry in Saudi Arabia. This initiative will help control and eliminate local diseases, preserving animal wealth in the Kingdom.

The establishment of this laboratory marks a significant step towards improving animal health standards in Saudi Arabia. By focusing on local pathogenic strains, it aims to provide more effective solutions tailored to regional needs.

The ministry believes that this project will significantly contribute to controlling animal diseases locally. It also aims to enhance research capabilities and vaccine production within the Kingdom.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve veterinary services and ensure sustainable animal health management in Saudi Arabia. The new lab is expected to play a crucial role in these ongoing efforts.

Overall, this project represents a major investment in the future of animal health and vaccine development in Saudi Arabia. It reflects a commitment to advancing scientific research and improving public health outcomes related to animals.

With inputs from SPA