CPHI Middle East is the region's leading pharmaceutical trade event, taking place 14–16 December 2026 at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham. It unites over 1,000 global pharma brands across APIs, finished formulations, machinery, CDMO, and drug delivery.
Dates
14–16 Dec 2026
City / country
Malham, Saudi Arabia
Venue
Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre
Time
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
CPHI Middle East is the premier pharmaceutical gathering in the Middle East and Africa, held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health and organised by Tahaluf and Informa Markets.
Returning 14–16 December 2026 to the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, the exhibition covers the entire pharma supply chain, including active ingredients, finished dosage forms, contract manufacturing, bioprocessing, and packaging.
Co-located with BIO Middle East, it provides an unrivalled gateway to Saudi Arabia's booming healthcare market, driving Vision 2030 localization and connecting global suppliers with regional buyers.
TL;DR
Connect with 1,000+ exhibiting brands and evaluate thousands of pharmaceutical products spanning APIs, excipients, finished dosage forms, and processing machinery under one roof. Engage in targeted bilateral business meetings via the partneringONE® platform, attend specialized conference tracks across multiple theatres, and gain actionable market insights on Saudi Vision 2030 healthcare transformation and local manufacturing opportunities.
Showcase your products directly to over 30,000 qualified pharmaceutical buyers, distributors, and government procurement officials from across Saudi Arabia and the wider MEA region. Accelerate licensing deals, secure regional distribution agreements, and establish strategic partnerships aligned with Saudi Arabia's National Biotechnology Strategy and healthcare localization initiatives.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
4Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, 792P+JQ, Malham 13380, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Entrances & gates
Main Entrance
Primary badge registration, scanning, and security checkpoint.
Visitor regular parking available on first-come, first-served basis.
Wheelchair accessible venue entrances and ramps throughout concourses.
Dedicated male and female prayer rooms located on-site.
Food options
On-site Food & Beverage Concessions
On-site diningParking: Visitor regular parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gate: Enter via Falcon Gate onto Qassim Road for exhibition halls and conference entrances.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Ticket info
Badge collection
Digital badge via email confirmation or official mobile app; physical badge printing available at main venue registration counters.
Ticket notes
CPHI Middle East is strictly a trade-only B2B event. Admission is complimentary for qualified trade visitors upon pre-registration. No persons under 18 admitted (infants in arms accompanied by an adult excepted).
What's on
BIO Middle East
Dedicated biotechnology summit co-located with CPHI Middle East, focusing on cell and gene therapies, genomics, and biomanufacturing under Saudi Vision 2030.
How the last edition performed
Current edition
2026
Official 2026 dates confirmed for 14-16 December 2026 at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham.
Visitors
31,000
Exhibitors
400
Edition #
1
Visitor countries
100
Growth over time
Edition recap
CPHI Middle East 2024 made history as the largest debut pharma event, welcoming 31,000+ attendees and 400+ exhibitors from over 100 countries, with $2.7 billion in deals signed.
New this edition
Co-located BIO Middle East Summit
Inaugural summit co-located with CPHI focusing on cell and gene therapy, biomanufacturing, genomics, and regional clinical trial innovation.
SourceBIO partneringONE® Platform
Advanced one-to-one digital partnering system deployed in Saudi Arabia for pre-scheduled licensing, investment, and distributor meetings.
SourceWomen in Pharma Forum & CPHI Academy
Specialist educational tracks and leadership forums addressing workforce development, GMP compliance, and executive talent in life sciences.
SourcePhotos
Testimonials
If you are in the pharma industry and can attend only one meeting a year, this is THE event to attend. Great space to reconnect with present collaborators and make new connections.
Amazing experience to be at the heart of pharma! All in one space you can connect with your current partners to get the latest information regarding the market situation and trends, as well as meeting with customers, who will enrich you by sharing their needs and challenges.
Attending CPHI was an invaluable experience to strengthen existing relationships and establish new connections. It was a dynamic 3-day event catalysing innovation and collaboration among worldwide pharmaceutical experts.
The CPHI Middle East presents an exciting opportunity for professionals to connect, share insights, and explore potential partnerships that can enhance our research and development efforts. At CPHI AJA Pharma is pleased to present our latest initiatives and product developments, which are designed to revolutionize patient care.
Next edition outlook
2026-12-14 – 2026-12-16CPHI Middle East 2026 co-locates with BIO Middle East at RECC Malham under Saudi Ministry of Health patronage, anticipating 60,000 visitors and 1,000+ exhibitors.
Co-location with inaugural BIO Middle East summit Expansion to 60,000 expected visits and 1,000+ exhibiting brands Introduction of BIO partneringONE® bilateral meeting platform to Saudi Arabia Specialist stages including Women in Pharma Forum and CPHI Academy
Impact
The 2024 debut established CPHI Middle East as the largest pharmaceutical launch in history, drawing 31,000+ attendees and 400+ exhibitors from over 100 countries to Riyadh, generating $2.7 billion in signed commercial contracts.
Audience quality
According to the 2024 post-show report, 74% of attendees hold direct purchasing power, with 44% in executive C-suite leadership and 42% in senior management. Visitors achieved a Net Promoter Score of 53.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors achieved an NPS of 53, with 75% rebooking on-site for the next edition and over 50% doubling their booth footprint, demonstrating high commercial value across regional procurement and CDMO partnerships.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Saudi Arabia’s pharma market is projected to reach $15.6 billion by 2030, underpinned by Vision 2030 and a National Biotechnology Strategy targeting $34 billion in non-oil GDP. CPHI Middle East serves as the critical commercial catalyst for drug manufacturing localization, regulatory alignment, and international investment across the Gulf and Africa.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Localization of Biopharma and Vaccine Manufacturing in KSA
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and National Biotechnology Strategy prioritize local production of vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics to secure national supply chains and create over 11,000 specialised life sciences jobs.
SourceShift Toward Generics and Biosimilars Pricing Reforms
IQVIA market analysis shows Saudi health sector reforms, revised procurement frameworks, and tender pricing adjustments accelerating biosimilar adoption across regional hospitals.
SourceSurging CDMO and Outsourced Formulation Demand
Regional pharmaceutical manufacturers are actively expanding outsourcing partnerships with global CDMOs to localize complex dosage forms, injectables, and active ingredients.
SourcePlan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
King Khalid International Airport
Primary international airport for Riyadh; official pre-booked taxis, Careem, and Uber services available directly from Terminals 1-5 to RECC Malham.
45 km
to venue
30-40 minutes
by car
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Taxi & Ridesharing
Official Riyadh taxi dispatch phone 920003090; Uber and Careem mobile apps widely available.
Rental Car
Car rental desks located at RUH Airport; visitor parking available on first-come, first-served basis.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Weather
Riyadh in December experiences mild, comfortable daytime temperatures averaging 20°C to 24°C (68°F–75°F) with cool evenings dropping to 10°C to 13°C (50°F–55°F).
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
High-speed 5G mobile coverage widely available across Riyadh. Local SIM cards and eSIMs available at King Khalid International Airport (STC, Mobily, Zain).
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Plan your trip
Complete online visitor badge registration on official CPHI Middle East portal. — Ensure contact details and passport names match travel documents.
Verify Saudi eVisa approval on visa.visitsaudi.com and download digital copy. — eVisa covers 90 days stay for eligible nationalities.
Review exhibitor list and book bilateral meetings on partneringONE® platform. — Target priority API suppliers and CDMO manufacturers.
Confirm hotel reservations and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) transfers. — Check drive time from accommodation to RECC Malham.
Download CPHI Middle East mobile app and store digital visitor entry pass. — Prepare QR code for expedited badge collection on arrival.
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 4
What best describes your organizational focus in the pharmaceutical value chain?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Seeking multiple global API and CDMO quotes or exploring Saudi Vision 2030 localization partnerships.
Best for
Procurement directors, formulation R&D scientists, and distributors sourcing APIs, excipients, and machinery.
Min. budget
Not yet confirmed
Timeline
2 to 4 weeks prior to arrange Saudi eVisa and schedule partneringONE meetings.
Risks
Busy floor schedule requiring pre-booked meetings
Peak travel season in Riyadh during December
exhibit
Ready to invest in regional sales presence, sign distributor agreements, or bid on Saudi healthcare tenders.
Best for
API manufacturers, CDMOs, packaging innovators, and bioprocessing equipment providers targeting MEA expansion.
Min. budget
Not yet confirmed
Timeline
3 to 6 months in advance for booth design, booth approvals, and sample shipping.
Risks
Significant booth investment costs
Logistics lead times for customs clearance into KSA
skip
Business does not involve human pharmaceuticals, biopharma, APIs, medical packaging, or related life sciences.
Best for
Non-healthcare general consumers, retail buyers without pharma scope, or attendees under 18 years old.
Min. budget
Not yet confirmed
Timeline
None
Risks
Strict trade-only entry policy strictly prohibits general public and minors
Book with
Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
CPHI Middle East official patronage
Tahaluf
Strategic joint venture between Informa PLC, SAFCSP, and Events Investment Fund.
Official organiser partnership
Informa Markets
Global exhibitions organiser powering the worldwide CPHI brand portfolio.
Official organiser
IQVIA
Knowledge partner providing Saudi pharmaceutical market intelligence and industry reports.
Official Knowledge Partner named on homepage
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
10
References
3
Publishers
10
Date checked
Informa Markets / Tahaluf
National Law Review / EINPresswire
GDN Online / WAM
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
