#United States #CAR-T therapy #Gaithersburg #Caring Cross #Burjeel Holdings

A Landmark Partnership for CAR-T Therapy

In a groundbreaking initiative, Caring Cross, a nonprofit organization from the United States, has partnered with Burjeel Holdings, a prominent healthcare provider in the MENA region, to enhance the accessibility of CAR-T therapies. This partnership marks a significant advancement in the healthcare landscape, specifically targeting patients who previously struggled to access advanced cancer treatments.

The Promise of CAR-T Therapy

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a revolutionary approach in cancer treatment, particularly effective for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. This method involves reprogramming a patient's own immune cells to identify and combat cancerous cells, presenting a new beacon of hope for many. However, the exorbitant costs associated with these therapies—often exceeding $350,000 in the U.S. and Europe—have limited their accessibility globally.

Recognizing this challenge, the collaboration between Caring Cross and Burjeel Holdings aims to localize the production of CAR-T therapies, significantly reducing costs and improving availability. With projections of up to a 90% decrease in treatment costs compared to Western markets, this partnership aspires to make these life-saving treatments attainable for broader patient demographics in MENA.

Building a Local Manufacturing Ecosystem

The collaboration is set to create a local manufacturing ecosystem for CAR-T and stem cell gene therapies, placing Burjeel Holdings at the forefront of advanced cell therapies in the MENA region. Caring Cross will contribute its technological expertise and essential materials, including lentiviral vectors critical for the development of these therapies. This strategic approach not only aims to reduce costs but also generates a sustainable model for delivering advanced healthcare services to underserved populations.

Enabling Accessible Healthcare

As regional healthcare providers often face limitations in providing cutting-edge treatments, this initiative, through point-of-care production, will lead to a more equitable healthcare landscape in MENA. Burjeel Holdings intends to focus initially on CAR-T therapies for leukemia and lymphoma while exploring additional treatments for diseases such as HIV in the future. This effort aligns with the broader mission of improving healthcare access to regions that are often neglected.

John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are honored to partner with Caring Cross. Their expertise in CAR-T cell therapy production technology will enable us to provide affordable, life-saving treatments to our communities and beyond.”

Boro Dropulić, Executive Director of Caring Cross, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our collaboration advances our mission to make groundbreaking treatments accessible and affordable around the world.”

Training and Capacity Building

In addition to the production of therapies, the partnership emphasizes building local capacities among healthcare providers. There will be a concerted effort to train these professionals directly within the region, ensuring that CAR-T therapies are not only scalable but also sustainably delivered to patients. This will provide a boost to the local healthcare ecosystem while maximizing the potential impact of advanced cancer treatments across MENA and potentially in India and other emerging markets.

Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Hematology Oncology Cellular Therapy Center at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi underscored the significance of this initiative, noting the crucial need for advanced healthcare in a rapidly evolving medical landscape.

“Opening doors to biological therapies not just in MENA, but also in emerging markets is a monumental stride in enhancing access to cancer treatments,” he stated.

A Hopeful Outlook

This strategic partnership signifies a commitment to reforming the healthcare framework in the MENA region, emphasizing not just the introduction of cutting-edge treatments, but also making them affordable for all. Through collaborative efforts, Burjeel Holdings and Caring Cross are paving the way for a transformative shift in how advanced therapies can be delivered, ultimately providing a renewed sense of hope for millions of patients in the region.

For more information about this vital initiative, visit Caring Cross and Burjeel Holdings.