Biogénesis Bagó to build Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine site in Saudi Arabia

The Argentine biotechnology company will start the tech transfer project with MAS Company, a local partner to improve animal health in the region.

Biogénesis Bágo, the international biotechnology company specialized in the development, production and delivery of products for animal health, signed an agreement with MAS Company, a leading veterinary services company in the Saudi market, for the construction of a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine manufacturing site in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which aims to help the Kingdom strengthen its food security as well as become the first Arab country free of foot-and-mouth disease.

Considering the relevance of the partnership between Biogénesis Bagó and MAS Company for the future of the Kingdom´s animal health, it was celebrated at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia, hosted by Eng. Abdulrahman Al Fadley, president of Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority, the ambassadors of both countries and other representatives from Investment and Foreign Affairs ministries.

The development of the industrial site will involve investments of up to USD 60 million and more than 400 high-skilled job opportunities in the country and will conclude in the most modern FMD vaccine manufacturing site in the region.

This joint venture has three stages, from the design, construction and commissioning of a vaccine site that will have the capacity to supply the local market and Middle East.

The CEO of MAS company Nawaf Al Ibrahim stated that this biotechnology project is aligned with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a reforms programme through which the country seeks to be self-sufficient and sustainable in food security.

Biogénesis Bagó was selected to carry out this project due to its vast experience and global leadership related with vaccines´ production and other associated services for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in Latin America and Asia. The company’s capacity to quickly attend FMD emergencies and its deep knowledge of different contexts and countries which are affected by this disease, is highly recognized by animal health authorities and scientific institutions around the world.

Also the company became a long-time supplier for the North American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Bank which covers US and Canada and, more recently, Biogénesis Bagó was selected to supply the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), created by the US Government to protect American livestock in case of an emergency.

Besides its expertise in FMD, the company is committed to enhance animal health, through a wide range of other vaccines and pharmaceutical products, including its rabies vaccine, which is used in many countries for official vaccination campaigns.

Dr. Esteban Turic, CEO of Biogénesis Bagó mentioned that “Having been selected to carry out this project is a new recognition of our capacity and leadership in FMD vaccines as well as of the standard of excellence of our professionals in terms of knowledge and tech transfer experience around the world. Also, our shareholders are key to enhance our commitment to invest in human capital, innovation and industrial development”. Dr. Turic added: “The signing of this agreement with MAS company is a new commitment to enhance our expansion strategy to anticipate the future of animal health.”

Shareholders from both companies were also present at the meeting. Mr. Hugo Sigman from Insud Group and Mr. Juan Pablo Bagó and Mr. Sebastián Bagó from Bagó Group, Mr. Nawaf Al Ibrahim and Mr Abddala Al Ibrahim from MAS company shared the relevant event at Riyahd.