At a time when the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement sectors are experiencing rapid shifts alongside consecutive economic and geopolitical challenges, exceptional Egyptian enterprises are firmly establishing their presence in regional and international markets. They achieve this through a vision rooted in innovation, industrial localization, and building strategic partnerships with major global firms.

Among these prominent figures is Dr. Tamer Mohamed El-Saady, Chairman of Vitamy Group and Vita Middle East Pharma. With a career spanning over 25 years in the pharmaceutical and business management sectors, Dr. El-Saady has built an extensive international network. He established an integrated pharmaceutical entity operating across several Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, boasting dozens of pharmaceutical and nutritional products alongside partnerships with global firms in Europe and Turkey.

In this interview, Dr. El-Saady discusses the establishment of the group, the challenges facing the pharmaceutical and supplement industries in Egypt and the wider region, and his vision for transforming Egypt into a regional and global industrial hub. He also outlines new investment and expansion plans, the critical role of R&D, and his call for SMEs to form alliances to navigate global market pressures.

The Early Journey: Rooted in Expertise

How did your journey in the pharmaceutical and business sectors begin?

Our journey began over 25 years ago with continuous work in the pharmaceutical sector, driven by a deep interest in business management. This led me to pursue business administration studies at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Arab Academy, culminating in an MBA.

Throughout this career, I gained extensive experience working with several Egyptian, regional, and multinational companies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In 2009, I relocated to the United Arab Emirates, where I managed products for a multinational firm in the Middle East. This experience significantly expanded our business horizons and helped build a robust network of strategic relationships.

In 2017, Vitamy Group was founded, which now comprises several companies across the GCC countries. In January 2024, I was honored to receive the Golden Visa under the “Investors and Entrepreneurs” category from the Dubai government.

Today, Vitamy has successfully forged partnerships with more than 13 global companies from nations including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Turkey. We have also established successful collaborations with over 11 distributors across the Middle East.

Currently, the group has over 55 pharmaceutical and nutritional products circulating in Gulf markets, alongside more than 35 products undergoing registration in various countries. The group stands out as a pioneer in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and medical devices, focusing on introducing innovative global products for the first time in the Middle East to improve patient care and quality of life.

Navigating Market Pressures: External and Internal Challenges

What are the most prominent challenges currently facing the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement sectors?

The challenges can be divided into external and internal factors.

On the external front, the region is experiencing complex geopolitical and economic shifts that have directly impacted market stability and global supply chains. These conditions have led to consecutive crises, most notably difficulties in shipping raw materials, surging freight rates, and the continuous rise of the US dollar exchange rate—all of which have driven up production costs.

These factors heavily impact the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, particularly in Egypt, where a large percentage of manufacturing relies on imported raw materials. Consequently, any disruption in supply chains or foreign exchange volatility immediately reflects on the cost of the final product, placing additional pressure on both companies and consumers.

This reality highlights the urgent need to expand export operations rather than relying solely on the domestic market. Expanding into foreign markets is a strategic step that generates foreign currency for both companies and the state, while driving the development of Egypt’s pharmaceutical industry and boosting its global competitiveness.

This requires high corporate agility, an ability to adapt to global changes, strict adherence to international specifications, and meeting the regulatory registration requirements of target countries. It also demands continuous investment in quality and innovation in line with modern global trends. In this regard, relevant bodies like the Ministry of Health and the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) are making vital efforts to upgrade the sector by improving regulatory procedures and supporting local manufacturing.

What about the most pressing internal challenges?

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the primary challenge is the necessity of funding Research and Development (R&D) to remain competitive.

This is a critical hurdle; many SMEs find it financially difficult to sustain R&D spending. As a result, any internal or external economic crisis leaves them highly vulnerable to losing ground or exiting the market entirely. Therefore, I highly encourage these companies to pursue mergers or establish strategic partnerships among themselves to co-develop the industry, share R&D costs, and face market pressures collectively. Unity is strength.

Are there regulatory challenges facing the industry as well?

Certainly. One of the most prominent regulatory challenges is the prolonged period required for product registration. This is partly due to the high volume of applications relative to the number of specialized personnel and pharmacists within regulatory authorities.

This creates bottlenecks and delays registrations, which negatively affects production timelines and marketing plans. Overcoming these challenges requires synchronized efforts between the public and private sectors to upgrade regulatory infrastructure, streamline procedures, and expand exports to ensure sustainable growth for this vital sector.

The Story Behind Vita Middle East Pharma

How did the concept of establishing Vita Middle East Pharma come about?

Vita Middle East Pharma was established in Egypt in 2018. The name was carefully chosen to reflect our core vision: “Vita” means “life” in several languages and draws inspiration from words like vital and vitality, while “ME” stands for the Middle East—the primary region where we operate to fulfill our mission.

Our company motto clearly embodies this vision:

“Together for a Better Quality of Life.”

From day one, we held a clear objective to deliver genuine value to the healthcare sector by focusing on innovative pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements that keep pace with global advancements and fulfill patient needs.

The company has prioritized product registration as a foundational pillar for establishing a strong, sustainable market presence, successfully building a portfolio of over 90 products between those currently marketed and those under registration.

Our strategy focuses on introducing original, innovative products for the first time to Egypt and the Middle East. For instance, we have applied to register an original, innovative biologic treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the first time in Egypt. Additionally, we are introducing modern treatments for diabetes patients in accordance with the latest international clinical protocols, while importing original reference products from Germany to conduct necessary bioequivalence studies and analyses to ensure top-tier quality and efficacy.

Furthermore, we work on delivering the latest FDA-approved treatments across multiple fields, including pain management, gastroenterology, diabetes, migraines, angina, and ophthalmology. This excellence extends beyond pharmaceuticals into dietary supplements, where we offer globally innovative products—some manufactured locally—utilizing advanced technologies like triple-layer tablets.

Competitive Edges and Future Expansions

What sets Vitamy Group apart from its competitors?

Our foundation relies on innovation and building robust alliances with leading multinational corporations to transfer the latest manufacturing technologies into Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa.

We have already succeeded in convincing three global companies from Spain, France, and Italy to manufacture their products within our facilities, with plans to re-export these products to several European and African markets. This step aligns with our vision to transform Egypt into a regional and global manufacturing hub that international companies rely on for high-quality, cost-competitive production.

To attract further global investments, we have allocated land in Sadat City, secured the necessary licenses, and laid the foundation stone for our first facility specializing in dietary supplements, built to the highest international benchmarks. Our second plant will be dedicated to therapeutic pharmaceuticals, equipped with modern, innovative production lines to sharpen our competitive edge locally and internationally.

How do you view the company’s future over the coming years?

Our vision is to transform our facilities in Egypt into an integrated industrial hub serving major multinational corporations, acting as a pivotal launchpad for production and export to regional and international markets.

This vision aligns seamlessly with the Egyptian state’s objectives to position the country as a global industrial center. Egypt possesses powerful fundamentals, including a highly strategic geographic location, modern infrastructure, a qualified workforce, and multiple international trade agreements. Additionally, mounting government support for the manufacturing and export sectors serves as an essential catalyst for achieving sustainable growth and securing a bright future for the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt.

Words of Advice for Entrepreneurs

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs and startups?

My core advice is the absolute necessity of having a clear, well-defined vision, alongside identifying your unique strengths to build upon in a competitive market. Establishing a successful entity requires developing a true competitive advantage, whether in quality, innovation, or management. I also emphasize the importance of integration and collaboration between different companies; working together has become a necessity to navigate today’s challenges.

What are the most prominent lessons you have learned throughout your journey?

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is beautifully illustrated in the Prophetic Hadith: “If the Hour (the Day of Judgment) is about to look upon you while any one of you has a sapling in his hand, which he can plant before it happens, let him plant it.”

The deep meaning here is that continuous hard work and perseverance, despite all hurdles, setbacks, and difficulties, is the true path to success. Studying the past and extracting its lessons helps us plan efficiently for the present and the future. We must maintain dedication, patience, and resilience, because success always demands action, action, and more action.

What are your investment plans for the upcoming phase?

In the next phase, the company is shifting heavily toward industrial investments by injecting over EGP 400 million into the first phase. This includes registering new products and establishing our specialized dietary supplement facility in Sadat City according to the latest international standards.

We anticipate these investments to double during the second phase with the construction of our modern pharmaceutical plant. Furthermore, the company is placing great emphasis on R&D, alongside registering innovative products in Egypt to export them globally in cooperation with our multinational partners, fitting Egypt’s status and aligning perfectly with Egypt Vision 2030