
Biocon has entered a partnership with Tabuk Pharmaceuticals for the commercialisation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) products in the Middle East.
The collaboration aims to provide products for diabetes and chronic weight management in select countries within the region.
Biocon will develop and manufacture these GLP-1 products.
Biocon CEO and managing director Siddharth Mittal stated: “I am pleased to expand our partnership with Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, which paves the way for our vertically integrated, complex GLP-1 formulations entry into Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.”
Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Astra Industrial Group, will own marketing authorisation rights for the products.
The company will also be responsible for their registration, importation and promotion.

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By GlobalDataThe partnership includes provisions for expanding the agreement to cover additional GLP products.
An option for a technology transfer could enable local manufacturing in the future.
Tabuk Pharmaceuticals CEO Ismail Shehadah stated: “We are confident that this partnership supports our efforts to manufacture and localise a range of GLP-1 products in the region and strengthen our market-leading position in the area of diabetes medications, in line with our strategy.
“This also stands as a commitment from our side to support the 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia through localising speciality pharmaceutical products in the Kingdom.”
GLP-1 medications lower blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss. They function as physiological hormones that regulate glucose through GLP-1 receptors, enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon production.
The hormones also slow gastric emptying and reduce food intake, which helps maximise nutrient absorption while controlling weight.
Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, successfully integrated the biosimilars business of Viatris in 31 European countries, in December 2023.