Saidal Launches Phoenix Biotech Project: A Step Towards Pharmaceutical Self-Sufficiency
✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | May 19, 2024 — On Saturday, May 18, in Médéa, the Saidal Group launched the ambitious Phoenix Biotech project, which aims to manufacture pharmaceutical raw materials from natural plant extracts, particularly from date palms. The program was introduced in the presence of the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, Ali Aoun, Saidal Group CEO Ouacim Kouidri, project-initiating researchers, and local authorities.
Key Focus of the Project
The Phoenix Biotech project will focus on producing bioethanol, specialized sugars, and acids from date palm extracts. “Among the raw materials concerned by the project are bioethanol, specialized sugars, and acids,” stated the public pharmaceutical group in a press release.
Strategic Importance
Minister Ali Aoun emphasized the critical importance of the Phoenix Biotech project for Algeria’s economy, highlighting its potential to open numerous and promising perspectives for the date palm industry. “The integration of national date palm production into the transformation industry and its various outlets represents a promising avenue for the industry in general and the pharmaceutical production sector in particular,” Aoun said during the project’s presentation at Saidal’s Antibiotical complex in Oued Harbil, west of Médéa.
The project aims to capitalize on Algeria’s substantial date palm cultivation, which spans 300,000 hectares and produces 10 million tonnes annually. This initiative is expected to boost various industrial segments and reduce import costs for products used in the agro-food industry and pharmaceutical production.
Diverse Applications
Phoenix Biotech involves the use of dates to manufacture a diverse range of products applicable in different fields and uses. These products include baker’s yeast, ethanol, citric acid, sweeteners, and vinegar derived from date sugar molasses through a specific technical process, as explained by the project leader, Brahim Zitouni.
Collaborative Efforts
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Saidal and the Agrodiv Group for the production of baker’s yeast. The production unit for this yeast, located within the Antibiotical complex, is scheduled to begin operations in the early second half of 2025, Zitouni added.
Future Prospects
Following the project’s announcement and detailed presentation, the delegation visited the Médéa plant, including the raw materials production facility that will host this project. The Phoenix Biotech initiative reflects Saidal’s commitment to enhancing local pharmaceutical production capabilities and contributing to Algeria’s economic diversification and self-sufficiency in essential raw materials.
About Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
