23.06.2024 16:40:19 - dpa-AFX: GNW-Adhoc: KFSHRC Successfully Produces the First Therapeutic T-Cells in the Kingdom
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- King Faisal Specialist
Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has successfully produced CAR T-cells
internally for cancer treatment. This breakthrough has reduced the cost of
treatment from 1.3 million SAR to approximately 250,000 SAR per treatment,
making it available to patients within 14 days. This achievement overcomes all
cost and shipping challenges, alleviating patient suffering by providing timely
treatment and supporting national efforts to localize biotechnological
industries.
The announcement of this milestone, which further solidifies KFSHRC's position
as a leader in specialized healthcare, was made during the opening of the
Advanced Therapies Forum held this Sunday morning. The forum aims to expand the
number of clinical trials in T-cell therapy and gene therapy, providing patients
in the Kingdom with access to these novel treatments and offering industrial
partners the opportunity to explore clinical research initiatives at KFSHRC.
Prior to the internal production of the treatment, the production period ranged
from 21 to 28 days due to manufacturing outside the Kingdom. This subjected the
process to numerous logistical challenges and supply chain disruptions,
including cryopreservation, shipping to external manufacturing centres, and
subsequent re-shipping back to the hospital, often resulting in potential delays
in treatment access and prolonged patient suffering.
This accomplishment is the result of seamless collaboration between various
departments within the hospital, housed in an internal T-cell manufacturing
centre equipped with advanced bioreactors and cell processing units. These
adhere to strict regulatory standards to ensure the quality and safety of
therapeutic products, preceded by comprehensive staff training programs on the
principles and techniques of T-cell manufacturing. In the current phase, the
internally produced T-cells will be offered to patients as part of a clinical
trial at KFSHRC.
T-cell therapy is one of the latest developments in cancer treatment, involving
the modification of a patient's immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer
cells. The cells are extracted from the patient's blood, genetically modified in
manufacturing centres, and then re-injected into the patient's body to target
and destroy cancer cells.
This achievement is part of KFSHRC's strategy to develop advanced therapies and
increase clinical research opportunities, ensuring the delivery of the best
possible healthcare for all patients, in line with the hospital's commitment to
enhancing healthcare quality driven by innovation and excellence.
It is noteworthy that King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre has been
ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the
world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and
recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle
East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same
year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals by Newsweek magazine.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Essam AlZahrani, Acting Head of Media Affairs, 0555254429
Mr. Abdullah Alown, Media Coordination Officer, 0556294232
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7056c9cb-
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