IB Ventures launches Saudi Arabia’s first $50 million biotech fund with global ambitions

IB Ventures launches Saudi Arabia’s first $50 million biotech fund, led by Dr. Hamad Al Omar and Dr. Yazeed Al Sufyani, to build a global biotech ecosystem.

IB Ventures, a Saudi investment platform dedicated to biotechnology, has officially launched as the Kingdom’s first biotech-focused venture capital fund, marking a key development for the region’s growing life-sciences industry.

The $50 million fund aims to build an integrated biotechnology ecosystem by combining venture funding, incubation, and acceleration under one platform. In addition to supporting Saudi startups, IB Ventures plans to attract international biotech founders to establish a presence in the Kingdom — creating a bridge between local innovation and global markets.

Headquartered in Riyadh, the firm is expanding with offices in Switzerland and the United States, two leading biotech hubs, to connect Saudi entrepreneurs with international research centers, investors, and commercialization partners.

IB Ventures’ strategy focuses on business development, commercialization, scale-up, and exit planning, supported by an in-house incubator and accelerator. The founding team includes Dr. Hamad Al Omar and Dr. Yazeed Al Sufyani, who bring complementary expertise in biotechnology, venture capital, medical research, and operations.

The company said the launch of IB Ventures marks a pivotal move toward building a modern biotechnology sector in Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of transforming the Kingdom into an innovation-driven economy. The platform is designed to bridge science and enterprise by connecting researchers, investors, and startups to accelerate the commercialization of biotechnology innovation.

IB Ventures emphasized that its integrated model combining venture capital, incubation, and acceleration will help translate early scientific breakthroughs into scalable businesses. The company invited investors, partners, and entrepreneurs to participate in shaping a new biotechnology ecosystem for Saudi Arabia that fosters local innovation and strengthens global collaboration.