Sarat Ventures Y Innovations Biotech Fund to invest in companies focused on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia just turned up the heat on biotech. Sarat Ventures Y Innovations Biotech Fund (UK) has rolled out a new $50M early-stage investment fund with one big goal — put the Kingdom on the global biotech map. Anchored by Allocator One, the fund is a bold move to turbo-charge life sciences and lock biotech firmly into Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 playbook.

The fund is led by two powerhouses: Dr. Megan Yung of Yung Ventures, known for shepherding young biotech firms from lab bench to global markets, and Dr. Huda Alfardus, who helped launch Saudi Arabia's first private accelerator. Together, they bring global know-how and local connections — a recipe for a biotech boom.

"Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in life sciences. We are excited to help build the early foundation for biotech in the Kingdom and the surrounding MENA region," said Dr. Alfardus.

How will it work?

This isn't just about writing checks — it's about building an ecosystem.

• Capital + Expertise: The fund will back early-stage biotech companies with a clear pathway into Saudi markets.
• Deep Diligence: Thanks to its alliance with Y Innovations Group, it brings rigorous due-diligence capabilities and a knack for turning scientific sparks into viable therapies.
• Commercialization Muscle: With Megan Yung at the helm, portfolio companies get access to global commercialization strategies and the playbook for international expansion.
• Local Connections: Dr. Alfardus opens doors across ministries and innovation hubs, ensuring startups can plug directly into Saudi Arabia's infrastructure.

Or, as Dr. Yung puts it: "We are laying the foundation for transformative therapies and sustainable growth. The Saudi biotechnology sector is anticipated to reach $11-12B by 2030, and this initiative is poised to leverage our team's close ties to strategic players in this market."

Why does it matter?

Because this is how you build an industry from scratch — not in theory, but in real time.

• It aligns perfectly with Vision 2030, which is all about diversifying the economy beyond oil and into knowledge-driven sectors.
• It creates a launchpad for transformative biotech breakthroughs right in the Kingdom — instead of importing them years later.
• It provides entrepreneurs in the MENA region access to global expertise, funding, and mentorship, closing the gap between local innovation and international markets.

For Saudi Arabia, this isn't just a bet on biotech — it's a bet on becoming a regional powerhouse in life sciences.

The context

The timing couldn't be better. Biotech is booming worldwide, with therapies being developed at lightning speed — from mRNA platforms to gene editing. The Kingdom, flush with capital and eager to reinvent its economy, is going all-in on sectors like biotech where the ROI can be measured not just in dollars but in lives saved.

And Sarat Ventures Y Innovations Biotech Fund isn't coming out of nowhere. Y Innovations Group already has a reputation for spotting promising science early and turning it into market-ready companies. Now, with this fund and its Saudi focus, they're aiming to set a new gold standard for biotech venture capital in the Middle East — one that could ripple far beyond the region.