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Meeting highlights:
- Strategic Priorities: Aligned with Vision 2030, Takeda’s priorities emphasize agility, innovation, and impactful contributions. Our unwavering commitment is to put patients first, support our people, and protect the environment in which Takeda operates. At Takeda, we strive to drive positive change and deliver value through our principles of integrity, fairness, honesty, and perseverance, ensuring that every decision we make and every action we take contributes to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
- Takeda’s Mission adjusted to Saudi's needs: Driving forward meaningful innovation that enhances patient outcomes and ensures equitable access to transformative treatments within Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Arabia’s Unique Position: With a growing population, ambitious Vision 2030 objectives, and a supportive political landscape, Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to advance patient care and elevate healthcare standards. Our focus is to deliver solutions that meet local needs and drive meaningful health outcomes, reinforcing Takeda’s dedication to making a lasting and positive impact on the communities we serve.
- Commitment to Trust and Transparency: Patient Trust Reputation Business, Takedaism.
- Focus Areas: Takeda is dedicated to enhancing patient education, extending support services, and improving access in remote areas, with the goal of elevating the quality of patient care across Saudi Arabia.
- Collaborative Partnerships: Takeda actively pursues partnerships to enhance clinical research and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s healthcare landscape with innovative therapies and evidence-based practices. By working together with local stakeholders, we aim to share our global expertise, advance medical knowledge, and provide transformative treatments that align with the unique needs of the Saudi healthcare system. Through these partnerships, we strive to create sustainable value and elevate healthcare standards.
- Sustainability Through Value Creation: Takeda’s sustainable impact in Saudi Arabia is rooted in delivering solutions that align with the specific healthcare needs of Saudi patients, adding lasting value to communities and the healthcare system.
EF: Could you discuss the role of Saudi Arabia as your regional headquarters and your current priorities there?
KS: We all recognize the profound advancements happening in Saudi Arabia, particularly in healthcare, as part of Vision 2030. For Takeda, remaining competitive is essential to actively contributing to this transformation within Saudi Arabia's healthcare system as part of Vision 2030. This moment presents an excellent opportunity for us. Takeda’s focus on bringing groundbreaking innovations, putting patients first, and maintaining our people- and environment-centric approach aligns seamlessly with the core objectives of Vision 2030. We are well-aligned with Saudi Arabia’s evolving needs and committed to supporting the government and authorities in developing and transforming the healthcare system.
From our side, we focus on pioneering innovation, ensuring healthcare access, and fostering a workplace that values talent and environmental responsibility. We are dedicated to contributing meaningfully to the goals of Vision 2030.
EF: How does your portfolio align with Vision 2030, and what are the main growth drivers and priorities in Saudi Arabia?
KS: We are a focused company dedicated to advancing innovation in the healthcare system. Our primary areas of focus encompass six key therapeutic fields: gastroenterology, oncology, rare diseases, vaccines, neurology, and inflammation. In these areas, we aim to bring either best-in-class or first-in-class treatments—not traditional products, but innovative solutions that address significant gaps in care. In Saudi Arabia, we recognize many growth opportunities, particularly in gastroenterology, inflammation, oncology, and immunology, including blood plasma products. These areas are our primary growth drivers in the region. Additionally, we see significant potential in neurology and vaccines, and as the timing and supply align, we are eager to expand our presence in these areas.
EF: How do you balance resource allocation and attract investment? And why do you believe a dollar invested in Saudi is more valuable than elsewhere?
KS: This is truly an excellent opportunity. Saudi Arabia, with its large population, impressive skills and capabilities, and ambitious Vision 2030 goals, aligns perfectly with Takeda’s strategic vision. The transformation in infrastructure and healthcare over the past decade has been remarkable, positioning Saudi Arabia as an ideal collaborator for innovation and growth. At Takeda, we are committed to contributing and supporting this transformation. Saudi Arabia’s strong economy, skilled workforce, and growing demand for innovation make it an opportune time for us to establish deeper synergies. Our focus goes beyond providing products; it encompasses enhancing patient care and raising healthcare standards across the country. We see many ways to help elevate patient services and improve healthcare standards in the country, making it about more than just the products we provide.
EF: Could you elaborate on how Takeda is advancing patient-centered care and raising standards in the healthcare sector?
KS: At Takeda, our core values focus on putting the patient first, followed by trust, reputation, and finally, business. This intentional order signifies our unwavering focus on patient care as the foremost priority. In Saudi Arabia, we actively strive to earn patient trust and build our reputation by partnering with key medical societies, such as the Saudi Gastroenterology Society, the Saudi Hematology Society, and transplant associations. These organizations are dedicated to improving standards of care, education, access, and diagnosis—goals we share and work towards together.
Our collaboration with healthcare authorities and these societies is not just about promoting our products. Instead, we focus on identifying and addressing gaps in the patient journey, such as ensuring timely diagnosis, enhancing standards of care, and providing support for patient compliance. We also run patient support programs to help overcome barriers that patients face in accessing high-quality care.
Beyond the product, we aim to enhance the entire healthcare experience. For example, we participate in education programs that extend to remote areas, help establish robust referral systems, and support patient compliance with treatments. Through these initiatives, we are committed to filling gaps in the
healthcare system itself, building strong partnerships, and ultimately putting patient needs first.
EF: How do you ensure physicians are well-informed and educated to support the delivery of the new innovations?
KS: Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in education over the years, especially in preparing for Vision 2030. Well before its official launch, the country sent many healthcare professionals abroad to countries like the US, Canada, and Germany to learn from the best. This strategic move has created a highly skilled and educated workforce of healthcare professionals and government authorities, who are now playing a critical role in advancing the nation’s healthcare system.
Today, with Vision 2030 in full motion, we are collaborating with these capable professionals to address the unique challenges in Saudi Arabia. While the main cities have strong medical capabilities, the remote areas still need more support. Our goal is to leverage the expertise of these highly trained professionals to elevate standards of care, not only in urban centers but also in less accessible regions. To bridge this gap, we are helping establish centers of excellence in major cities that can train healthcare providers from remote areas. We are also building a referral system to ensure that patients from these regions receive timely and appropriate care in larger cities if necessary. Our collaborative efforts with local authorities are aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment standards, and access to innovation across the country. Thanks to these initiatives, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system has progressed significantly. Today, the country’s medical standards, protocols, and access to advanced treatments are on par with those of Europe and the United States.
EF: With Vision 2030’s focus on Saudi Arabia becoming a regional R&D hub, how is Takeda positioning itself to support this goal?
KS: Saudi Arabia’s top priority is clinical research. Saudi Arabia has made significant upgrades in terms of infrastructure and capabilities, and now the country is well-prepared for phase two and phase three studies. This progress has already enabled us to initiate multiple research projects. While the infrastructure has advanced greatly, we still face challenges, and we are working transparently with the Saudi Arabia Food and Drug Authority and the national research entity to address them. Just last week, we invited the Vice President of Global Health Regulatory Affairs to meet with the SFDA, where they shared updates on their advancements and requirements. We are actively working to encourage our global team to bring more phase three studies to Saudi Arabia. At the moment, we have around five research projects running in Saudi Arabia, and we are aiming to further expand and elevate the quality of these studies. We are closely collaborating with local and global societies in our therapy areas to strengthen our partnerships and support clinical research both regionally and internationally.
EF: What are the key pillars for a sustainable healthcare ecosystem, and what role does talent play in achieving this?
KS: The Saudi market is highly competitive, with many opportunities and a major focus on achieving Vision 2030 goals. For long-term success, companies must add real value—aligning with Saudi Arabia's healthcare objectives, understanding the local dynamics, and actively contributing to their key goals. This involvement is essential for sustaining a strong presence in the market.
At Takeda, we prioritize innovation and actively support raising healthcare standards across our therapy areas. We are deeply involved in talent development, education, and research, all of which align with the objectives of Vision 2030. This alignment helps ensure our sustainability in the market. Agility and the ability to make fast, impactful decisions are also crucial to staying competitive. Takeda is highly regarded by local authorities, such as the Ministry of Investment and the Saudi FDA, due to our responsiveness and proactive actions. For example, we have gone above and beyond by working with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to understand the local burdens and registering products at the Saudi FDA to align Saudi Arabia’s priorities with our expertise. Our responsiveness in these situations makes a significant difference. We were also one of the first companies to establish a regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, and we are committed to local content and economic participation. Our proactive approach to supporting local needs demonstrates our dedication to contributing meaningfully to the Saudi healthcare ecosystem.
EF: Five years from now, when Vision 2030 is completed, what would you consider a great accomplishment?
KS: The goal is to be recognized as one of the strongest partners in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its healthcare KPIs as part of Vision 2030. This will make an enormous difference because it will allow us to be involved not just in executing the vision, but also in shaping it. We will not just be following plans—we will be part of making the decisions and guiding the future direction.
This is already happening with the healthcare societies we work with. We collaborate closely to define the goals and vision, and to determine what needs to be achieved. It is not just about helping them reach their objectives, but about actively contributing to building the vision itself. If we can do this with the Saudi authorities, it will be a major accomplishment.
