RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 8, 2025--
In a landmark step towards advancing cancer care in the Middle East, BOSTON ONCOLOGY ARABIA and SPIMACO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to localize the production of advanced oral oncology treatments in the Kingdom. Announced at the CPHI Middle East conference, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes, fostering local expertise, and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for healthcare transformation.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108766769/en/
Pioneering Pharmaceutical Localization
Focused on the transfer of technology and knowledge, the collaboration will enable the parties to commercialize essential oral oncology medications domestically. The initiative not only improves access to life-saving treatments, but also strengthens the Kingdom’s industrial and healthcare infrastructure.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone toward ensuring that patients in Saudi Arabia and beyond have access to world-class oncology treatments without delay,” said Dr. Abdullah Baaj, CEO of Boston Oncology Arabia. “By localizing production and investing in cutting-edge technologies, we are not just meeting immediate needs—we are modeling a sustainable future for oncology care in the GCC / MENA region.”
SPIMACO CEO Jérôme Cabannes added: "This partnership enhances our ability to provide high-quality oncology treatments and strengthens our commitment to the Kingdom's vision of a self-reliant healthcare system. It reflects our shared dedication to patient care and reinforces our leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry."
Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030
This collaboration reinforces Saudi Arabia’s leadership in regional and global pharmaceutical markets. By establishing local manufacturing capabilities for advanced oral oncology therapies, the partnership aligns with Vision 2030’s goals to reduce dependency on imports, strengthen local industry, and enhance access to innovative treatments for patients across the Kingdom.
Looking Ahead
The partnership will prioritize the commercialization of key oral oncology therapies over the next five years, driving significant benefits including job creation, the development of local expertise and production capacity, and equitable access to critical cancer treatments across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.
This collaboration showcases the potential of bold strategic partnerships to unlock new opportunities to advance oncology care and address critical healthcare needs.
About Boston Oncology Arabia
Headquartered in Riyadh, Boston Oncology Arabia is a leading pharmaceutical company with a mission to impact the lives of one billion patients by 2030. The company is recognized for its innovative approach to conquering market complexity, delivering the full value of its products to the market while achieving outsized and sustainable competitive share. Focused on the licensing, local development, and manufacturing of world-class medicines, Boston Oncology Arabia’s end-to-end supply chain ensures transformative access to essential therapeutics—reaching hospital systems swiftly, reliably and affordably.
Learn more at https://bostononcology.com/
In a landmark step towards advancing cancer care in the Middle East, BOSTON ONCOLOGY ARABIA and SPIMACO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to localize the production of advanced oral oncology treatments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Business Wire)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Wildfires that ripped through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles forced many Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, to evacuate their homes.
California firefighters are battling wind-whipped fires tearing across the area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as the fires burned uncontained early Wednesday.
The Pacific Palisades neighborhood is a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases.
“Evacuated Malibu so last minute,” wrote Hamill in an Instagram post Tuesday night. “Small fires on both sides of the road as we approached (the Pacific Coast Highway).”
Less than 72 hours before, Hollywood’s highest-wattage stars had convened to walk the Golden Globes’ red carpet, the first major event of the exuberant and, for many, triumphant awards season. The revelry of awards season had quickly been snuffed out, too: Premieres of contenders like “Better Man” and “The Last Showgirl” were canceled, the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations were announced via press release instead of at a live event and weekend events like the AFI Awards were preemptively scrubbed.
The Oscar nominations are also being delayed two days to Jan. 19 and the film academy has extended the voting window to accommodate members affected by the fires.
Here's how celebrities and entertainment companies are being impacted by the fires burning in and around Los Angeles:
Jamie Lee Curtis said Wednesday on Instagram that her family is safe, but she suggested her neighborhood and possibly her home is on fire. She said many of her friends lost their homes.
“It's a terrifying situation and I'm grateful to the firefighters and all of the good Samaritans who are helping people get out of the way of the blaze."
Other stars who have homes in the area include Adam Sandler, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
Many are awaiting word on whether their homes survived the flames.
Mandy Moore said her family evacuated too and has since tried to shield her kids from the “immense sadness and worry” that she currently feels.
“So gutted for the destruction and loss,” she posted in her Instagram story. “Don't know if our place made it.”
Woods posted footage Tuesday of flames burning through bushes and past palm trees on a hill near his home. The towering orange flames billowed among the landscaped yards between the homes.
“Standing in my driveway, getting ready to evacuate,” Woods said in the short video on X. Later, he confirmed he had evacuated and added: “It tests your soul, losing everything at once, I must say.”
Officials didn’t give an estimate of structures damaged or destroyed in the wildfire, but they said at least 70,000 residents were under evacuation orders and nearly 30,000 structures were under threat.
The fire burned down Temescal Canyon, a popular hiking area surrounded by dense neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes. Flames jumped famous Sunset Boulevard and burned parts of the Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie,” the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.”
The Palisades fire also destroyed the historic ranch house that belonged to Hollywood legend Will Rogers. It was among multiple structures destroyed at both Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park. The historic Topanga Ranch Motel, built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929, also burned down.
Rogers’ ranch, built on land he bought in the 1920s, occupied some 359 acres in what is now Pacific Palisades. It included a 31-room ranch house, a stable, golf course and riding trails. His wife donated it to California State Parks in 1944.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, have been postponed until Feb. 26.
Film studios canceled two movie premieres due to the fire and windy weather, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day due to the smoky and windy conditions and the J. Paul Getty Trust said two of its museums, the Getty Villa and Getty Center, would remain closed for the next few days.
Universal Studios also canceled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.”
The Walt Disney Co. closed its headquarters in Burbank, and canceled production on several series, including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Doctor Odyssey.” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” which tapes in Hollywood, was canceled for Wednesday and will instead air a repeat.
The production pauses added to further disruptions to the film and TV industry in Los Angeles, including the cancellation of the premiere to Universal’s “Wolf Man” and postponement of the American Film Institute awards gala, scheduled for Friday.
Crew members carry out signs for the new film "Wolf Man" after the premiere was cancelled due to high winds in the area on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
