Rubedo Life Sciences Partners with SVAX to Advance Phase 2 Clinical Trials in Saudi Arabia and Dubai
During the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Week in Riyadh, Rubedo Life Sciences, Inc., a San Francisco-based AI-driven biotechnology company specializing in selective cellular rejuvenation medicines, announced a strategic partnership with SVAX, a leading Saudi vaccine and biologics manufacturer and clinical research organization (CRO).
The collaboration focuses on advancing RLS-1496, Rubedo’s lead candidate, into Phase 2 clinical trials for Atopic Dermatitis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Emirate of Dubai. SVAX will support Rubedo’s regulatory filings and oversee the conduct of the trials, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to expanding clinical capabilities within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The partnership marks a key milestone for Rubedo as a Hevolution Foundation portfolio company, reflecting the region’s growing strategic importance in healthy longevity research and life sciences innovation.
Prof. Mazen Hassanain, Managing Director and CEO of SVAX, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying:
“We are thrilled to be working with the Rubedo team to bring this innovative therapy to Saudi Arabia, particularly when conditions like Atopic Dermatitis and Vitiligo are such high areas of unmet need in our region.”
Rubedo Chief Business Officer Ali Siam highlighted the strategic alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, stating:
“This partnership with SVAX will translate our vision into reality by partnering with one of the leading pillars of the Saudi National Biotech Strategy.”
Rubedo CEO Dr. Frederick Beddingfield emphasized the global importance of the GCC trial, noting that it would include patient populations that have historically been underrepresented in dermatological clinical research.
“Incorporating study sites at the crossroads of three continents will help provide a more representative overall patient population for the evaluation of RLS-1496,” he said.
The announcement follows the U.S. FDA’s clearance of Rubedo’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a Phase 1b/2a study of RLS-1496 in patients with actinic keratosis. The GCC study is expected to begin in Q2 2026.
HRH Princess Dr. Haya Bint Khaled bin Bandar Al Saud, Hevolution Foundation’s Senior Vice President of Research, lauded the collaboration:
“Teaming up with SVAX for this GCC trial underscores our region’s rapid growth in clinical research capabilities and our commitment to elevating healthspan science. This collaboration is set to revolutionize geroscience and strengthen the regional biotech landscape.”
The Rubedo–SVAX partnership represents a major step toward positioning Saudi Arabia and the GCC as global leaders in biotech innovation and healthy longevity research.
