“It is used in treating cancer.” The success of producing the first therapeutic T cells reduces the cost of treatment by about 80% in Saudi Arabia

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and the internal research center in Saudi Arabia succeeded in producing the first therapeutic T cells in the Kingdom that reduce the cost of treatment by about 80%.

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The Saudi News Agency “SPA” reported, explaining the details, that “King Faisal Specialist Hospital and the internal research center succeeded in producing T cells (CAR-T), which are used in treating cancer patients, which contributes to reducing the cost from 1.3 million riyals to approximately 250 thousand.” For one treatment case, and providing it to patients within a period not exceeding 14 days, bypassing all cost and shipping challenges, in an achievement that reduces the suffering of patients and enables them to receive treatment in a timely manner, and integrates with the national endeavors to localize vital industries.”

According to SPA, “The announcement of this achievement, which strengthens Specialty’s position as a pioneer in providing specialized health care, came during the opening of the Advanced Therapies Forum, which was launched this Sunday morning, as it aims to increase the number of clinical research in the field of T-cell therapy and gene therapy.” To enable patients in the Kingdom to access it, and to provide the opportunity for industrial partners to explore opportunities to open clinical research at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre.”

"SPA" explained, "Before the start of internal manufacturing of the treatment, its production period ranged between 21 to 28 days, due to its manufacture outside the Kingdom, which made it subject to many logistical challenges and supply chain disruptions that include cryopreservation and shipping to external manufacturing centers, then re-shipping it to... Hospital, which causes potential delays in patients receiving treatment, and increases their period of suffering.”

The Saudi News Agency stated, “This achievement represents the result of cooperation between many departments within the hospital, within an internal manufacturing center for T cells, equipped with advanced bioreactors and cell processing units, following strict regulatory standards and regulations to ensure the quality and safety of therapeutic products, preceded by the implementation of comprehensive training programs.” "At the current stage, the T cells produced internally will be provided to patients, as part of a clinical trial at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre."

She pointed out that “T-cell therapy is one of the latest developments in the field of cancer treatment, as it depends on modifying the patient’s immune cells so that they are able to recognize and destroy cancer cells. They are extracted from the patient’s blood, then sent to manufacturing centers to be genetically modified, and after that, they are It is re-injected into the patient’s body to begin attacking and destroying cancer cells,” indicating that “this achievement comes within the framework of the strategy of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center to develop advanced treatments and increase opportunities for clinical research, which ensures the provision of the best possible health care to all patients, within its commitment to enhancing quality.” Healthcare driven by innovation and excellence.”