Truffle Carvolix Elysée - Franco-Saudi Medical Cooperation.

On the occasion of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed BIN SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-SAUD, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to France, per the invitation by French President Emmanuel Macron, launch of SAF-MD and signing of a Saudi–French medical cooperation agreement

A bilateral program strengthening exchanges in interventional cardiology and cardiac and vascular surgery between renowned French and Saudi cardiology centers

Paris / Riyadh, 24 August 2026 – On the occasion of the visit to France of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed BIN SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-SAUD, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Truffle Capital, Carvolix SA and Carvolix Saudi LLC jointly announce the launch of the SAF-MD Saudi–French Medical Exchange and Cooperation Program and the signing of a cooperation agreement between the three entities.

Established with the co-chairmanship of Professor Stéphan Haulon, French vascular and endovascular surgeon, former Chairman of the European Society for Vascular Surgery, and Dr Mirvat Alasnag, Saudi Interventional cardiologist, Director of research and cardiac catheterization laboratories, board member of the National Heart Center at the Saudi Health Council, SAF-MD creates a structured framework for exchanges between Saudi and French physicians, fostering the transfer of expertise, the sharing of medical practices and the development of lasting medical and scientific cooperation.

The programme supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places healthcare transformation and talent development among its core priorities. For France, it provides a platform to strengthen the international reach of its medical and scientific expertise and build lasting partnerships with Saudi counterparts. More broadly, SAF-MD draws on the excellence of both countries’ medical teams and their shared ambition to improve patient care.

A reciprocal program

SAF-MD is being launched for an initial three-year period, renewable by mutual agreement. It will provide a framework for exchanges and advanced training programmes expected to range from six months to two years.

Saudi cardiologists and surgeons may be hosted by participating institutions in France. In return, French physicians may undertake periods of training, observation or professional immersion in Saudi Arabia.

The programme will cover interventional cardiology, cardiac and vascular surgery, heart valve replacement, and the emergency management of strokes and other neurovascular conditions.

As part of its educational and scientific remit, SAF-MD will also explore the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in complex cardiovascular and neurovascular procedures, including technologies developed by Carvolix.

The cooperation will also facilitate the study and development of Saudi-French research projects and clinical trials.

This initiative also accompanies the creation of Carvolix Saudi LLC to potentially build a state-of-the-art MedTech manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia serving the Saudi, European, Asian and potentially North American markets. Carvolix is backed by strategic shareholders, including Truffle Capital and Edwards Lifesciences (minority shareholder).

Carvolix Saudi LLC is the Saudi subsidiary wholly owned by Carvolix SA. It is intended to support the development of Carvolix’s medical, scientific and industrial cooperation activities in Saudi Arabia in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks. It has been created with a view to potentially constructing a state-of-the-art MedTech manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia serving the Saudi, European, Asian and North American markets.

About Truffle Capital

Founded in 2001, Truffle Capital is an independent European venture capital firm specialising in disruptive technologies in the life sciences (MedTech and Biotech) and information technology (Fintech and Insurtech) sectors. Truffle Capital’s mission is to support the creation and development of innovative companies capable of becoming the leaders of tomorrow. It notably founded Abivax (market capitalisation: US$11 billion).

Led by Philippe Pouletty, M.D. and Bernard-Louis Roques, co-founders and co-CEOs, Truffle Capital manages €500 million in assets. The firm has raised more than €1.2 billion since inception and has backed more than 124 companies in life sciences and digital technology sectors.  For more information, visit www.truffle.com

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