Dr. Mehmood Khan – First Pakistani Scientist to Receive Saudi Citizenship

Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmood Khan has been granted Saudi citizenship, joining a distinguished list of global doctors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs recognized by the kingdom. The announcement was made via a list published by financial news portal Argaam.

Dr. Khan, an American national, is the CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing aging-related treatments, accelerating drug development timelines, and enhancing the accessibility of therapeutics that extend human lifespan. Headquartered in Riyadh with a North American hub, Hevolution Foundation is the second-largest geroscience funder with plans to expand internationally. Geroscience focuses on understanding how aging processes drive chronic diseases.

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Dr. Khan, who earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool Medical School in England, was among the high achievers listed in Argaam. Despite growing up in England, he proudly identifies with his Pakistani heritage. In a 2015 interview with OPEN Silicon Valley, Dr. Khan encouraged aspiring corporate leaders and medical professionals to take risks and pursue their passions.

“Do take risks. Do not be afraid to take risks and do the best you can but pursue your passion,” he said.

With a career spanning three decades, Dr. Khan has held senior positions in both corporate and medical fields. His roles include 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.

Dr. Khan is a fellow of both the Royal College of Physicians and the American College of Endocrinology. He chaired the US-Pakistan Business Council from 2016-2019 and remains a board member of Reckitt Benckiser, a leading British multinational consumer goods company.

For those aiming for senior positions in corporate and medical fields, Dr. Khan emphasized the need for continuous self-improvement. “You cannot be the same that you were 30 years ago,” he told OPEN Silicon Valley. “If I was still doing what I learned 30 years ago, I couldn’t even practice medicine, let alone do what I do today.”

Saudi Arabia’s decision to grant Dr. Khan citizenship is part of its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to attract and retain exceptional global talent to boost the kingdom’s economic and social development. This initiative began with a royal decree in November 2021, opening citizenship to highly skilled professionals in fields like science, medicine, culture, sports, and technology.