At the Global Health Exhibition 2025, Ausnutria Nutrition and King Faisal Specialist Hospital announced a research partnership that's making waves across the healthcare and business sectors, and for good reason.
This is the first clinical study of its kind in Saudi Arabia, and no other infant formula brand has undertaken research of this scale and ambition in the Kingdom.
The collaboration will launch a first-of-its-kind study multi-center clinical trial evaluating goat milk-based infant formula's effects on digestive health, but it's about so much more than formula. It's about building research capacity, fostering innovation, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in evidence-based healthcare.
And it's a perfect example of how public-private partnerships can drive the health transformation goals at the heart of Vision 2030.
The partnership directly supports the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of Vision 2030's most ambitious initiatives. The HSTP aims to create a healthcare system that's preventive, research-driven, and built on innovation, and this collaboration checks every box.
Preventive health starts in infancy
By addressing digestive health issues early in life, this study supports Vision 2030's emphasis on preventive care and early intervention. Healthier infants mean healthier children, fewer hospital visits, and better long-term outcomes, exactly the kind of value-based healthcare the Kingdom is building toward.
Research and innovation, made in Saudi Arabia
This isn't research happening about Saudi Arabia, it's research happening in Saudi Arabia, by Saudi institutions, generating data that is both locally relevant and globally significant. The study will train Saudi researchers, build clinical trial expertise, and position the Kingdom as a hub for pediatric nutrition science.
Public-private partnership at its best
Vision 2030 calls for collaboration between government institutions and private sector innovators. This partnership between Ausnutria (a global nutrition leader) and King Faisal Specialist Hospital (a Saudi research powerhouse) is a textbook example of how that collaboration can drive real impact.
Why is this a big deal?
Let's be clear: no other infant formula brand has done this in Saudi Arabia. This study is a first, and it's a bold statement about the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a leader in healthcare research and innovation.
The implications are significant. For the first time, pediatricians, dietitians, and parents in Saudi Arabia will have access to rigorous, locally generated clinical evidence to guide feeding decisions, particularly for infants experiencing digestive discomfort with standard formulas. This kind of localized data has been a missing piece in pediatric nutrition and will support more confident, evidence-based recommendations.
"Our partnership with King Faisal Specialist Hospital is a big step forward in advancing infant health research in the Kingdom," said Lammert Fopma, general manager of Ausnutria Middle East. "It reflects Kabrita’s commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 and our shared goal of ensuring that every child in Saudi Arabia has access to the best possible start in life."
The study will enroll infants across multiple hospitals, comparing the effects of goat milk-based formula versus cow milk-based formula on digestive comfort, gut health, quality of life, and infection rates. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, putting Saudi research on the global stage.
Building the future of healthcare
This partnership isn't just about one study; it's about building infrastructure, capacity, and expertise that will benefit the Kingdom for years to come.
By conducting the research locally, the collaboration will:
Train Saudi researchers and clinicians in advanced clinical trial methodologies
Generate data that reflects the unique needs of Saudi babies and families by highlight the digestive benefits of goat milk, known for being gentler on sensitive stomachs.
Explore goat milk’s unique protein profile, which is closer to human milk and may support better nutrient absorption
Position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in pediatric health innovation
"At Ausnutria, we believe that every innovation must be backed by science," Fopma added. "Through this study, we aim to provide clear answers, locally relevant evidence that supports healthcare professionals and parents in making the best nutritional choices for their infants."
A model for what's possible
This is the kind of partnership that Vision 2030 was designed to inspire: bold, innovative, and focused on long-term impact. It shows that Saudi Arabia isn't just talking about health transformation, it's investing in it, building it, and leading it.
For the business community, it's a signal that the Kingdom is open to collaboration, ready to support innovation, and committed to creating an ecosystem where research, healthcare, and economic growth go hand in hand.
For parents, it's a promise that their little one’s health is being prioritized at the highest levels with science, care, and it shows just how serious Kabrita is about nutrition excellence.
And for Saudi Arabia? It's another step toward becoming a global leader in healthcare innovation, research, and quality of care.
Ausnutria Nutrition is a global leader in dairy-based nutrition, operating in over 80 countries. The company's Kabrita brand combines natural Dutch goat milk with advanced nutrition science to produce formulas designed for gentle digestion and healthy growth, all backed by clinical validation and the highest international safety standards.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre is one of the Middle East's premier tertiary care and research institutions, renowned for clinical excellence and innovation. Its research arm is helping position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for medical research and healthcare transformation.
For more information, visit www.kabritaarabia.me
