UAE Advances in Cancer Treatment with CAR-T Therapy and New Manufacturing Partnerships
Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Medical City prepares to launch CAR T-cell therapy production, while Borouge and Mubadala Bio enhance local healthcare manufacturing.
Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi is set to become a key player in the global fight against cancer by launching the UAE’s first facility for the local production of CAR T-cell therapy.
Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, director of the Burjeel Hematology Oncology & Cellular Therapy Center, announced that the facility aims to start treating patients by the end of the year.
It has the capacity to produce up to 200 CAR T-cell samples at a time.
The facility’s establishment aligns with a mission to significantly reduce treatment costs, which have previously reached over $1 million per patient in the United States.
Dr. Al Zaki emphasized that the goal is not only to cut costs by up to 90% through local manufacturing but also to expand access to low-income countries where such therapies are often unaffordable.
Burjeel’s model focuses on eliminating profit-driven proprietary manufacturing methods by partnering with non-profit organizations such as Caring Cross and adopting open-access technology.
CAR T-cell therapy utilizes a patient’s immune cells, reprogramming them to target and destroy cancer cells, providing a more precise treatment option compared to conventional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately affects both healthy and cancerous cells.
The therapy has been FDA-approved since 2017 for certain blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
In addition to the CAR-T initiative, Borouge, a leading petrochemical company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mubadala Bio to enhance local production of medical-grade materials tailored for healthcare applications.
This agreement, formalized at the ongoing 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, supports the Operation 300 Billion strategy aiming to bolster the UAE’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on imported healthcare products.
Under the agreement, Borouge will supply Mubadala Bio with medical-grade polyolefins, beginning with Bormed™ RG868MO, which meets the stringent standards required for pharmaceutical packaging and devices.
Mubadala Bio, established recently, is expected to manufacture significant quantities of medicines annually, enhancing local drug security and accessibility.
These developments point towards a broader initiative within the UAE to improve the healthcare landscape, making innovative treatments more accessible while fostering self-sufficiency in medical production.
Additionally, the two initiatives collectively highlight the UAE’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and advancing treatment options for cancer and other critical health issues.
Dr. Ajlan Al Zaki, director of the Burjeel Hematology Oncology & Cellular Therapy Center, announced that the facility aims to start treating patients by the end of the year.
It has the capacity to produce up to 200 CAR T-cell samples at a time.
The facility’s establishment aligns with a mission to significantly reduce treatment costs, which have previously reached over $1 million per patient in the United States.
Dr. Al Zaki emphasized that the goal is not only to cut costs by up to 90% through local manufacturing but also to expand access to low-income countries where such therapies are often unaffordable.
Burjeel’s model focuses on eliminating profit-driven proprietary manufacturing methods by partnering with non-profit organizations such as Caring Cross and adopting open-access technology.
CAR T-cell therapy utilizes a patient’s immune cells, reprogramming them to target and destroy cancer cells, providing a more precise treatment option compared to conventional chemotherapy, which indiscriminately affects both healthy and cancerous cells.
The therapy has been FDA-approved since 2017 for certain blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
In addition to the CAR-T initiative, Borouge, a leading petrochemical company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mubadala Bio to enhance local production of medical-grade materials tailored for healthcare applications.
This agreement, formalized at the ongoing 'Make it in the Emirates' forum, supports the Operation 300 Billion strategy aiming to bolster the UAE’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on imported healthcare products.
Under the agreement, Borouge will supply Mubadala Bio with medical-grade polyolefins, beginning with Bormed™ RG868MO, which meets the stringent standards required for pharmaceutical packaging and devices.
Mubadala Bio, established recently, is expected to manufacture significant quantities of medicines annually, enhancing local drug security and accessibility.
These developments point towards a broader initiative within the UAE to improve the healthcare landscape, making innovative treatments more accessible while fostering self-sufficiency in medical production.
Additionally, the two initiatives collectively highlight the UAE’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges and advancing treatment options for cancer and other critical health issues.
Translation:
Translated by AI
