Grupo Elfa, a leading healthcare services company in Brazil, primarily owned by investment funds from Patria Investments and the Saudi Arabia National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh. This two-year agreement aims to improve Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system by utilizing advanced AI, sharing knowledge, developing new supply chain models, and testing new technologies to increase the availability of medical products. The partnership is designed to make the healthcare process faster and more cost-effective throughout the country.
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The agreement focuses on collaboration in healthcare purchasing, shipping, and using digital tools, particularly for sourcing medical supplies directly. NUPCO, which serves as Saudi Arabia’s main purchasing and distribution center, has strong connections with hospitals, pharmacies, and storage facilities. Through this partnership, NUPCO will connect with Grupo Elfa’s global suppliers, expanding sourcing options and making the national supply chain more reliable.
Fahad AlButhi, COO of NUPCO, stated that the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to improving the national healthcare supply chain in line with Vision 2030. He explained that leveraging Grupo Elfa’s global network and technology will enhance purchasing processes, improve logistics, and make healthcare more accessible for everyone in Saudi Arabia.
This move highlights Patria Investments’ long-term goal of strengthening economic and strategic ties between Latin America and Saudi Arabia. By working with the Public Investment Fund, Patria is focused on growing critical sectors like healthcare while supporting Vision 2030 objectives. This alliance is expected to boost investments between the GCC and Latin America and promote sustainable development through closer economic ties.
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Carmen Alonso, Partner and CEO for Europe and Middle East at Patria Investments, stated that healthcare is a top priority for Patria. The company’s experience combined with local knowledge helps create tailored investment strategies. Michael Majdalany, Managing Director for the Middle East at Patria Investments, mentioned that this is the first step from their efforts to build stronger ties with the Kingdom, thanking PIF’s National Development Division for their support. Jose Roberto Ferraz, CEO of Grupo Elfa, expressed excitement about working with NUPCO, noting that the agreement will allow Grupo Elfa to bring its operational excellence, AI-driven improvements, and reliable global supplier network to help transform Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system. Grupo Elfa will act as a key supplier and distributor, using its 2022 acquisition of Descarpack to improve access to quality disposable medical products. The company offers a flexible, AI-powered buying model that serves thousands of hospitals and clinics, handling over 30,000 automated buying tasks each day. In addition to logistics and transport, Grupo Elfa provides a wide range of healthcare solutions including drug distribution, hospital supplies, medical technology, specialty pharmacies, aesthetic injections, and full hospital logistics, making it the only major Brazilian distributor active in both medical and dental sectors.
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