Cellenkos and KFSHRC Join Forces to Enhance Cell Therapies for Rare Diseases

Strategic Collaboration for Medical Innovation

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), a leading healthcare institution in Saudi Arabia, has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cellenkos Inc., a biotech company based in Texas. This partnership aims to advance T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies, primarily targeting unmet medical needs in conditions like aplastic anemia and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

This collaboration emerges following the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025, heralding a new era of clinical research and therapy development between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The MOU sets the groundwork for the first clinical trial alliance to initiate trials for Cellenkos' innovative Treg products. These therapies are designed to address disorders for which there are currently few effective treatments, thus providing hope to patients with serious health challenges.

Focus Areas of the Collaboration

The partnership kick-off will involve two specific clinical trials focusing on GVHD and aplastic anemia. These trials will pave the way for future studies involving neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and cardiovascular conditions.

For KFSHRC, this collaboration is a significant milestone. His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Al Fayyadh, CEO of KFSHRC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing treatment options for patients facing the difficulties posed by these conditions. This sentiment is shared by Dr. Simrit Parmar, Founder of Cellenkos and a faculty member at Texas A&M University, who noted that the sophisticated treatment options available at KFSHRC give confidence that this partnership will accelerate innovation and improve patient accessibility.

Infrastructure Development

In addition to clinical trials, Cellenkos will assist KFSHRC in building local manufacturing infrastructure for cell and gene therapies. This investment in local capabilities aims to ensure that treatments are both accessible and cost-effective for patients in the kingdom. The collaboration will utilize KFSHRC's cord blood bank, a crucial resource for sourcing materials needed in the manufacturing of therapies.

About KFSHRC

Established in 1975, KFSHRC is recognized as a premier healthcare institution in the Middle East. It aims to elevate healthcare standards through its comprehensive patient care, research endeavors, and educational opportunities. Boasting an impressive record, KFSHRC is involved in over 300 bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplants each year, treating a significant portion of patients with advanced therapies. Its operations also include an on-site CAR-T manufacturing facility and a cord blood bank with a storage capacity of approximately 3,000 units.

KFSHRC’s undisputed reputation is evident as it has been ranked the top healthcare institution in the MENA region and placed 15th globally among academic medical centers.

About Cellenkos Inc.

Cellenkos Inc. is positioned at the forefront of clinical-stage biotechnology. Its mission revolves around developing off-the-shelf, allogeneic Treg cell therapies aimed at treating rare inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its proprietary CRANE® platform is notable for providing therapies that do not require matching for HLA or ABO, promoting outpatient treatment and swift delivery.

Through this strategic alliance, Cellenkos reaffirms its commitment to addressing the medical needs of patients with rare conditions effectively and innovatively.

Conclusion

The agreement between Cellenkos and KFSHRC exemplifies a transformative step in the realm of medical therapies, particularly for those suffering from rare diseases. As both organizations work closely together, there is hope that the barriers to effective treatments will diminish, leading to improved health outcomes for countless patients within and beyond Saudi Arabia.