genedrive PLC (AIM:GDR) shares climbed 12% to 0.5p after the company announced that its distributor in Saudi Arabia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the country’s Ministry of Health to pilot its genetic testing technology as part of a national hearing health initiative.
The agreement will see the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit tested under the “Generations Hear” programme, a project aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to modernise healthcare through precision medicine and preventive care.
The MT-RNR1 ID Kit is designed to identify newborns with a genetic variant that can cause hearing loss when exposed to certain antibiotics. If adopted nationally, the test could be used routinely in hospitals to prevent avoidable deafness in infants.
Genedrive’s exclusive Saudi partner, iDeal iDea for Medical Equipment Technology, signed the MOU with senior health ministry officials, including Deputy Minister for Therapeutic Services Dr Salem Baharoon.
Chief executive Dr Gino Miele said the agreement “builds further on our commercial traction in Saudi Arabia” and represents an important step toward potential national implementation.
The news strengthens Genedrive’s foothold in the Middle East and marks a significant advance in its efforts to bring point-of-care genetic testing into mainstream healthcare systems.