Kimark to "Al Arabiya.net": We intend to establish the largest laboratory for laboratory animals in the capital Riyadh

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The King Abdullah International Medical Research Center "KIMARC" in Saudi Arabia intends to establish a specialized laboratory for laboratory animals in Riyadh, which will be one of the largest laboratories of its kind globally, in addition to creating a level three laboratory to meet the requirements for handling types of bacteria and viruses that necessitate advanced levels of protection and precautions.

Mohammed Al-Tukhis, the Director of Research at the Partnerships and Collaborations Department in the center, told "Al Arabiya.net" that the center "is seeking to develop and expand the laboratory for laboratory animals to reach a qualitative level that makes it one of the largest laboratories in the world," explaining that the laboratory will allow conducting experiments on small and medium-sized animals, given the need for research in the field of biotechnology for specialized laboratories and equipment.

Al-Tukhis added that the center is also working on establishing a level three laboratory in Riyadh, which meets the requirements for handling types of bacteria and viruses that require special levels of protection and precautions.

Regarding the outcomes of the partnerships that the center holds, Al-Tukhis clarified that they include transferring knowledge and technologies from outside the Kingdom to within it, in addition to developing national competencies and producing new research and discoveries.

He pointed out that some agreements and contracts include programs to train researchers and doctors on modern techniques that are not available in the Kingdom, enabling them, upon their return, to conduct research that contributes to the transfer and localization of these techniques.

He added that these partnerships could lead to multiple outcomes, including patents, scientific research, and the localization of certain technologies and treatments.

The Director of Research at the Partnerships and Collaborations Department in the center, Al-Tukhis, explained that the process of bringing medical research outputs to the market takes years, due to its connection to human health and the necessity of passing through testing phases and obtaining approvals and regulatory permits.

He indicated that the development stages include toxicity tests, animal trials, and then clinical trials, culminating in obtaining a permit from the Food and Drug Authority.

According to his estimate, the process usually takes 3 to 5 years for research results to become tangible in the market, while scientists and researchers can observe preliminary results within a period ranging from 3 to 6 months, depending on the nature of the research and its stages.