KFSHRC Reinforces Global Leadership as Early Adopter of Advanced Cell and Gene Therapies
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has reaffirmed its global standing as a pioneer in advanced medical technologies by successfully establishing in-house manufacturing and clinical application of CAR-T therapy, placing itself among the select global centers driving the future of precision medicine.
According to a press release issued today, KFSHRC has administered the first dose of locally manufactured Lentigen CD19 CAR-T therapy to a patient enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial for [Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (R/R B-ALL), marking a breakthrough moment for the Kingdom in advanced gene and cell therapies.
Since 2020, KFSHRC has treated more than 200 patients with CAR-T therapies manufactured abroad, before advancing to become the first institution in the Kingdom to both manufacture and administer an in-house CAR-T product under a Phase I clinical trial. Unlike conventional CAR-T, which requires overseas production, the hospital’s in-house platform has reduced costs to just 20% of commercial CAR-T, eliminated logistical delays, and accelerated access to potentially life-saving treatment.
The release added that KFSHRC will showcase its pioneering role in cell and gene therapies as a strategic partner of the C3 Davos of Healthcare™ New York Summit: 'Healthcare Disrupted – The Future of AI, Data & Precision Medicine.' The event, hosted at the Union League Club in New York City, will provide a global platform for the hospital to highlight how locally developed CAR-T manufacturing capabilities are reshaping access, reducing costs, and advancing international standards of care.
By building local biomanufacturing capabilities, KFSHRC underscores its mission to advance Vision 2030 and the National Biotechnology Strategy, ensuring patients in Saudi Arabia and beyond benefit early from next-generation therapies while reinforcing its role as a global reference center for healthcare innovation.
