KSA, August 28, 2025 – In a pioneering move that underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable innovation, Portalis Capital Investments LLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kingdom’s National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP), Tanmiah Food Company (Tanmiah), and Dutch biotechnology company Micreos Food Safety B.V. (Phageguard). The signing ceremony took place during GreenTech Amsterdam at the RAI Convention Centre, a global hub for agricultural innovation.
This first-of-its-kind public-private partnership will facilitate the introduction of Phageguard’s natural bacteriophage technology to ensure even higher Salmonella safety standards in the poultry sector. The initiative aligns directly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of enhancing food security, public health, and environmental sustainability. Through the support of NLFDP, the partnership aims to accelerate regulatory pathways, enable technology transfer, and drive private-sector implementation.
Tanmiah Food Company will lead the application and pilot testing of Phageguard S in Saudi Arabia in partnership with the NLFDP. Upon successful completion of the pilot scheme, the parties will explore a potential long-term offtake agreement. This project is expected to eventually support local job creation and empower knowledge-sharing around clean food safety technologies.
Dr. Sulaiman M. Alajel, General Supervisor of the Biotechnology Sector at the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, added:
“At the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP), we believe in the transformative power of science. This partnership marks a bold step toward a healthier, technology-driven future for Saudi Arabia. Our mission extends far beyond facilitation—we serve as a national catalyst for innovation. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering the private sector, unlocking access to advanced biotechnologies such as phages, and making meaningful strides in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Together, we are not merely adopting global best practices—we are helping define and shape them.”
“We always put the quality and safety of our products first, and this initiative will further strengthen our ability to drive standards even higher,” said Marcos Delorenzo, CEO of Agriculture Development Company (ADC), Tanmiah’s Fresh Poultry division. “It will help ensure food security in Saudi Arabia through an innovative and sustainable multiparty partnership, which is a key pillar of our long-term strategy to support and accelerate the growth of the Kingdom under Vision 2030.”
Mr. Pieter de Maaker, Partnership Lead at Portalis Capital, remarked, “This agreement represents more than a business milestone – it is a shared step toward a healthier, more sustainable food system rooted in innovation and cross-border collaboration.”
The partnership stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking policies and Portalis Capital’s ongoing mission to connect purpose-driven innovation with impactful markets across the globe.
