The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact, with over 700 million confirmed cases and fatalities exceeding 7 million. The economic implications are significant, with the global economic impact projected to surpass $80 trillion. In response to this crisis, the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign has been instrumental in curbing the pandemic and facilitating the resumption of normal social and economic activities.

This presentation provides an overview of our vaccine development, which began as a concept within the research laboratories at KAUST and has since evolved into a tangible biopharmaceutical product. We provide a brief overview of the project’s progress and current status and discuss the potential impact of what could be the first COVID-19 vaccine developed within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.