- KIT operates promotional pavilion at Saudi Arabia's RGMBS 2026

- Initiative links Korean firms with local pharma companies and investors for IR pitching and commercialization support

Kim In-suk, head of KIT's Bio Innovation Growth Strategy Division, introduces KIT's support programs to local officials at the KIT exhibition space during RGMBS 2026. [KIT]
Kim In-suk, head of KIT's Bio Innovation Growth Strategy Division, introduces KIT's support programs to local officials at the KIT exhibition space during RGMBS 2026. [KIT]

Promising South Korean biotech startups are making a concerted push into the Middle East and North Africa, with Saudi Arabia as their primary entry point.

The Korea Institute of Toxicology announced Tuesday that it is participating in the 4th Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit (RGMBS 2026), held in Saudi Arabia from Monday through Thursday, to help domestic biotech startups expand into the local market and attract investment.

RGMBS is an international event that brings together government officials, global pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, startups and investors from across the biotech and medical sectors.

KIT serves as the lead organization for the bio-health track of the Deep-Tech Startup Initiative Project (DIPS), supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Through the summit, KIT aims to showcase the technology of domestic biotech startups and expand their opportunities to enter the Saudi Arabian and broader MENA markets.

At the venue, KIT is operating a joint "K-Bio Promotional Pavilion" to highlight the technology and competitiveness of Korean companies. It is also facilitating business networking between domestic startups and local pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms and investors.

KIT is also taking part in "Korea Night" and a biotechnology investment forum to support investor relations pitching by Korean companies and identify local investors and potential business partners. The goal is to move beyond simple technology promotion and translate participation into tangible commercialization outcomes, including investment deals and joint ventures.

KIT has led the DIPS bio-health track since 2022, supporting the global expansion of domestic biotech startups. Its services include new drug candidate analysis, toxicity testing, global regulatory consulting, domestic and international mentoring, and overseas commercialization support.

"We hope this will be an opportunity to introduce the outstanding technology of promising Korean biotech companies to the Middle Eastern market and uncover new avenues for cooperation," KIT Director Heo Jeong-du said. "We will strengthen our local network-building and commercialization support to help generate real business results in the global market."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com