- In April 2024, Riyadh Pharma, a leading Saudi-based pharmaceutical manufacturer, signed a strategic collaboration with a global biotech firm to establish local production capabilities for antibody drug conjugates. This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing regional biopharmaceutical manufacturing and improving access to targeted cancer therapies across the Middle East. The move supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to localize advanced drug technologies and strengthen oncology care infrastructure
- In March 2024, The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) announced the launch of a national oncology research program focused on advanced biologics, including ADCs. This initiative aims to support clinical trials, build diagnostic capacity for precision medicine, and expand access to innovative cancer treatments. The program underscores the government's commitment to advancing cancer care and fostering public-private research partnerships
- In February 2024, BioCentrix Africa, a Johannesburg-based biotechnology firm, secured funding for a multi-phase clinical trial of its next-generation HER2-targeting ADC candidate. The trial, conducted in collaboration with academic medical centers, aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this therapy in treating metastatic breast cancer. This development demonstrates the growing R&D landscape for ADCs within the African continent and the region's shift toward homegrown biotech innovation
- In January 2024, Egypt’s Ministry of Health partnered with a European oncology consortium to introduce ADCs into select public cancer hospitals under a pilot access program. The partnership includes the establishment of training programs for oncologists and pathologists, as well as capacity-building for HER2 and Trop-2 diagnostic testing. The initiative is expected to expand precision treatment options for underserved populations in Egypt
- In December 2023, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) announced the formation of a strategic alliance with a leading Asian biosimilar developer to explore the co-development of biosimilar ADCs for hematologic cancers. This collaboration is focused on technology transfer, regulatory alignment, and affordability, aiming to make high-cost cancer therapies more accessible across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region
