In 2016, the Imam Abdurahman bin Faisal University (formerly known as the University of Dammam) and RTI International launched a five-year partnership to establish an innovation ecosystem within and around the university, located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. For this program, RTI is building on its experience and knowledge of global best practices in innovation-led economic growth to collaborate with the University of Dammamuniversity to develop its programs for innovation and entrepreneurship in the areas of healthcare and life sciences. These programs will better enable commercially relevant scientific discovery, translational research and development, industry partnerships, entrepreneurship, and commercialization. The Imam Abdurahman bin Faisal University aims to create an environment that will foster intellectual curiosity, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurialismentrepreneurship in scientific research and discovery. In doing so, the university sought to leverage RTI’s broad experience in building capabilities in innovation management and commercialization. The strategic partnership is focused on bolstering innovationinnovative discovery, strengthenstrengthening the processes and talent within the Patent and Technology Transfer Office, creatingand creation of the IAU Healthcare Innovation Center.