SAUDI ARABIA—King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), a pivotal institution within Riyadh’s Second Health Cluster, has recently signed a groundbreaking agreement with Boston Oncology to establish an advanced manufacturing unit for T-cell immunotherapy.

This collaboration marks a significant step forward in creating local treatment options, addressing existing bottlenecks in therapy provision, and ultimately improving patient outcomes across the region.

The new manufacturing unit will be dedicated to research and development, along with clinical trials, which are expected to drive innovative advancements within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector.

Dr. Abdullah Baaj, CEO of Boston Oncology, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that it positions KFMC as a destination for patients throughout the region, thanks to its world-class clinicians and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

 “Joining forces to localize cell and gene therapy is a transformative step towards our mission to impact the lives of one billion patients,” he added.

This state-of-the-art facility will adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP) and will focus on producing T cells—crucial components of the immune system—using a closed, clean system.

T cells, also called T lymphocytes or thymocytes, are essentially white blood cells that play a vital role in the body’s defence against various diseases, including cancer.

This agreement, valued at over SAR 3 billion (US$800 million), aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to enhance the quality of life, improve public health, and extend life expectancy for its citizens.

Additionally, this initiative is a key component of the broader Health Sector Transformation Program, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical therapies.

The partnership was officially announced during the Global Health Exhibition 2024, held from October 21 to 23, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to becoming a leader in advanced medical treatments.

One of the main goals of this 25-year agreement is to significantly enhance recovery rates for patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by 50%.

 Furthermore, it aims to reduce treatment costs by 30%, thereby making healthcare more accessible to patients in need.

Moreover, the new facility will substantially decrease cell manufacturing time by over 50%, enhancing treatment efficiency and effectiveness.

 This initiative is expected to elevate Saudi Arabia’s standing in the fields of immunotherapy and gene therapy, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in these cutting-edge areas of healthcare.

King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) is one of the most extensive and most rapidly expanding medical complexes in the Middle East, boasting a capacity of 1,200 beds.

 Within the second health cluster, KFMC comprises four hospitals and four specialized medical centers offering comprehensive healthcare services.

Known for its advanced medical technologies and high standards of care, KFMC serves over 30,000 inpatients and 500,000 outpatients annually.

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