Jeddah Valley: Atomic accelerator for producing medical isotopes and supporting innovation
Dr. Sattam Linjawi, CEO of Wadi Jeddah, the investment arm of King Abdulaziz University, announced a significant strategic step: the company's acquisition of a state-of-the-art nuclear accelerator dedicated to producing highly complex medical radioactive materials. This announcement underscores the company's pioneering role in localizing advanced technologies and strengthening the knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia.
Strengthening the knowledge economy and keeping pace with Vision 2030
The actions of Wadi Jeddah Company are perfectly aligned with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to transform universities from purely academic institutions into platforms that produce knowledge and support the national economy. Since its establishment in 2010 by royal decree, the company has been working to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercial application, contributing to the creation of promising investment opportunities and diversifying income sources away from oil.
Localization of the medical isotope industry
In detailing the medical achievement, Lenjawi explained that the Valley's Molecular Imaging Company possesses a nuclear accelerator, a rare and advanced technology in the region. This project, a result of a partnership with American and Italian companies, has successfully transitioned from producing a single radioactive material to four specialized materials used in the precise diagnosis of cancerous tumors and intractable diseases such as Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
This project is of great strategic importance to health and pharmaceutical security in the Kingdom, as the local production of radioactive isotopes – which are characterized by a short half-life and require speed in transportation and use – contributes to ensuring the availability of these vital materials to hospitals and medical centers without total dependence on imports, with a localization rate exceeding 95% and by Saudi hands.
An integrated environment to support startups
Jeddah Valley's role extends beyond direct investment to include building a comprehensive support system for startups. Lenjawi emphasized that the company offers a range of logistical, legal, and administrative services to ensure the transformation of patents into successful commercial products. Project selection is subject to rigorous criteria, including economic feasibility, alignment with regional needs, and competitiveness in both local and global markets.
Lenjawi cited the successful example of the company “Tiryaq”, which started from the research center of the College of Pharmacy, and today owns nine drugs that are traded in the markets, which proves the success of the business model that the company follows in turning research into tangible products.
Expansion in the mining, Hajj and Umrah sectors
In addition to the healthcare sector, Jeddah Valley's investments are also targeting other vital sectors, including Hajj and Umrah services, crowd management, and food supply chains. The CEO also revealed a strong focus on the mining sector, coinciding with the establishment of the Saudi College of Mining with the support of the Ministry of Industry. This opens up broad opportunities for investment in the Kingdom's abundant mineral resources and strengthens the university's position as an active development partner across various sectors.
