King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh has successfully treated the first patient using genetically modified T cells, locally manufactured, as part of the first phase of a clinical trial targeting patients with resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This milestone reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position in the field of gene and cell therapies.

This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort among multiple teams within the hospital, including clinical care, research, and biomanufacturing. The genetically modified T cells were produced using a closed automated system that ensures the highest standards of accuracy and safety, in partnership with Miltenyi Biotec and under the supervision of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

Since 2020, the hospital has treated more than 200 patients using genetically modified T cells before successfully building national capabilities for local production. This enabled reducing the treatment cost from about 1.3 million SAR to approximately 250,000 SAR per case and shortening the manufacturing and delivery time from 28 days to less than 14 days. This transformation helped overcome challenges related to shipping, cold storage, and external supply chains, ensuring timely treatment delivery to patients, alleviating their suffering, and aligning with national efforts to localize biotechnologies.

T cell therapy is one of the latest advances in cancer treatment. It involves modifying the patient’s immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The cells are extracted from the patient’s blood, sent to manufacturing centers for genetic modification, then reinfused into the patient’s body to attack and destroy cancer cells.

This achievement aligns with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre’s strategy to develop advanced therapies and increase clinical research opportunities, ensuring the best possible healthcare for all patients, with a commitment to enhancing healthcare quality driven by innovation and excellence.