Date 21/10/2024

Riyadh, October 21, 2024, SPA -- The Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA) has announced the launch of several qualitative initiatives during Health Innovation Week, which is part of the Global Health Forum 2024. These initiatives aim to enhance the research and innovation ecosystem to achieve health and wellness goals, a key priority in the research, development, and innovation sector. They also align with national objectives to find innovative solutions for local and global healthcare challenges.
One notable initiative is the introduction of national missions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. These missions focus on reducing the incidence of non-communicable and infectious diseases by 50% by 2035, aiming to improve the quality of prevention and treatment and foster a healthier community.
Additionally, the authority introduced the Health Research Excellence Award to encourage research and innovation within the health and wellness field. In the Lifetime Achievement Category, the following individuals were honored: Professors Ziad Memish, Rajaa Al-Raddadi, Yaseen Arabi, Fowzan Alkuraya, Hanan Balkhy, Mohamed Temsah, Mahmoud Al-Jurf, Jaffar Al-Tawfiq, Khalid Al-Habib, and Imad Tleyjah. In the Applied Innovation Category, Dr. Feras Khalil and Dr. Hani Najm received recognition, while in the Innovative Companies Category, the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries & Medical Appliances Corporation, Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, and Jamjoom Pharma were honored.
The authority also announced research grants in health and wellness as a national priority for the 2024 cycle, which includes funding of up to 120 million Saudi riyals for more than 100 health research groups. These grants, distributed through three national initiatives covering basic sciences, applied research, and emerging Saudi researchers, aim to enhance the Kingdom's leadership in scientific and research domains both regionally and internationally and invest in developing an innovative environment.
Furthermore, the authority revealed the launch of the National Research Alliance, which includes over 30 entities and organizations across the Kingdom. This alliance seeks to unify research and innovation efforts in cancer research and the fight against infectious diseases, supporting scientific advancement and knowledge within the health and wellness sector.
-- SPA
22:32 Local Time 19:32 GMT
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