Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmood Khan has been named among the first recipients of Saudi citizenship, according to a list published by the financial news portal Argaam.
As part of its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has opened its citizenship to highly skilled professionals to attract and retain exceptional global talent, enhancing the kingdom’s economic and social development. A royal decree issued in November 2021 allows individuals in specialized fields such as science, medicine, culture, sports, and technology to apply for Saudi citizenship.
Who is Dr. Mehmood Khan?
Dr. Mehmood Khan, an American national, is the chief executive officer of the Hevolution Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of aging-related treatments, speeding up drug development, and making therapeutics that extend human lifespan more accessible. Headquartered in Riyadh with a North American hub and an annual budget of up to $1 billion, Hevolution Foundation is the second-largest geroscience funder and plans to open offices in other international locations. Geroscience is a field of biomedical research focused on understanding how aging processes drive chronic diseases.
Dr. Khan earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool Medical School in England and was listed among the high achievers who received Saudi citizenship this week, according to Argaam. The Pakistani-American scientist has an impressive profile, having served in senior corporate and medical positions over a career spanning three decades.
Dr. Khan has been the CEO at Life Biosciences Inc., vice chairman and chief scientific officer of global research and development at PepsiCo from 2007-2019, and president of global research and development at Takeda Pharmaceuticals from 2003-2008. He also served as director of the diabetes, endocrine, and nutritional trials unit at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Medical School from 2001-2003.
