2025/4/14
Polaris Group-KY (6550) announces today its US California subsidiary Polaris Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PPI) signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company (a fully owned subsidiary of Astra Industrial Group, a listed company in Saudi Arabia) to introduce ADI-PEG20 (ADZODI), a novel treatment for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM), to the 7 markets in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. This partnership is set to improve the treatment landscape by delivering innovative therapeutic solution aimed at improving patient outcomes across the region.
Under the terms of this agreement, Polaris will develop and manufacture the product, and Tabuk Pharmaceuticals will hold the marketing authorization rights and be responsible for registering, importing, and promoting it in the region. The agreement enables Tabuk to leverage Polaris ’s cutting-edge research and development expertise, bringing forth a novel metabolic therapy across multiple tumor types in Saudi Arabia and GCC region. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing healthcare by making high-quality, life-saving treatments more accessible.
Steve Hsu, CEO of Polaris Pharmaceuticals, stated:
“We are very excited about this partnership with Tabuk Pharmaceuticals as one of leading pharmaceutical companies in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. This partnership not only strengthens our alliance but also highlights our shared dedication to expanding access to critical oncology and rare disease treatments. This collaboration with Tabuk reflects Polaris’s ideal strategic partnership model to bring new treatment options to people living with serious cancer diseases.”.
Ismail Shehada, CEO of Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, stated:
“We are thrilled to partner with Polaris to introduce this innovative therapy to the MENA region. This collaboration aligns with our strategic goal of expanding access to life saving specialty medicines in key markets, addressing critical healthcare needs, and improving quality of life for patients. Our combined expertise will ensure that this breakthrough treatment reaches healthcare providers and patients, bringing meaningful value to the healthcare system.”
With healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region facing growing demands, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering value-driven solutions that meet the unique needs of the region.
About Polaris
Polaris Group is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to pioneering advanced therapies, primarily focusing on metabolic-related diseases. Our lead drug candidate, ADI-PEG 20 (ADZODI), is presently advancing through the BLA-enabling stage for MPM and clinical development for other indications. ADI‑PEG 20 is a biologic in late-stage clinical development for a wide range of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, soft tissue sarcoma, glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia and others. ADI-PEG20 is designed to disrupt cancer cell metabolism, providing a novel approach to treating a wide range of cancers heavily influenced by metabolic pathways. Our mission is to revolutionize the treatment of complex diseases like cancer by concentrating on their metabolic foundations, ultimately striving to enhance patient outcomes globally.
About Tabuk
Established in 1994, Tabuk Pharmaceuticals is a leading Saudi pharmaceutical company with a regional presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Tabuk Pharmaceuticals develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes various branded generics, in addition to manufacturing pharmaceutical products for renowned international partners at its manufacturing sites in Saudi Arabia, as part of its continuous efforts to cover the needs of patients by providing high quality medicines. Tabuk Pharmaceuticals is a major player in the pharmaceutical sector thanks to its four state-of-the-art manufacturing sites located in Tabuk and Dammam in the Kingdom, as well as in Sudan and Algeria, orchestrated by a team of more than 2,400 employees. Tabuk Pharmaceuticals reaches patients in 17 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, with future plans to expand its presence in the region. For more information, please visit https://www.tabukpharmaceuticals.com.