MUSCAT, OCT 25
Publicly listed Omani investment firm Al Batinah Development & Investment Holding Company SAOG has completed the full acquisition of Oman’s first dedicated veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing venture, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen domestic production of animal medicines and reduce the Sultanate’s dependence on imports.
In a regulatory disclosure to the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Al Batinah confirmed that it had completed the acquisition of the remaining 35 per cent stake in Al Pharabi Company for Veterinary Medicines and Agricultural Company LLC, raising its ownership to 100 per cent.
Significantly, the company has also been renamed Oryx Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Industries SPC, reflecting its transition into a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Batinah Development & Investment Holding.
The acquisition gives Al Batinah full ownership of a strategically important manufacturing facility established at Al Buraimi Industrial City to produce veterinary medicines, nutritional supplements and other formulations essential to Oman's livestock and agricultural sectors.
Developed on a roughly 10,000 sq metre site, the project was originally established in partnership with Syria-based Al Pharabi Company for Veterinary and Agricultural Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, a regional pharmaceutical manufacturer with an extensive portfolio of registered veterinary products.
The plant received regulatory approval to commence commercial production in February 2024, becoming the first facility of its kind in Oman. Its initial development comprised three production lines dedicated to capsules, liquids and powders, with provision for eventual expansion to six lines encompassing injectable medicines, sterilising products, ointments, vitamins and animal feed additives.
The venture represents an important step towards building domestic capabilities in veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing, supporting the government's wider objectives of enhancing food security, safeguarding animal health and strengthening national biosecurity.
Local production of essential veterinary medicines and nutritional formulations is expected to help diversify supply sources, reduce exposure to international supply-chain disruptions and improve the availability of animal healthcare products for livestock farmers and agricultural businesses.
In July 2025, the company secured regulatory approvals for the registration of several products and the issuance of free-sale certificates, paving the way for potential exports to regional and international markets.
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