UAE to locally produce CAR-T cancer therapy at 90% less cost

Khaleej Times

15-04-2025

The treatment cost of some of the most aggressive forms of cancers like leukemia and lymphoma could now significantly come down in the UAE.
In an effort to revolutionise cancer care across the Mena region, Burjeel Holdings has joined forces with US-based non-profit Caring Cross to locally manufacture CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy) cell therapies in the country — at up to 90 per cent less than current international costs. This was revealed on the opening day of Abu Dhabi Health Week, which kicked off on Tuesday.
It (CAR-T) is a cutting-edge form of immunotherapy used primarily to treat certain types of cancer, especially blood cancers.
How does CAR-T cell therapy work?
T-cells are collected from the patient's blood.
In a lab, these T-cells are genetically modified to express a special receptor (CAR) that targets cancer cells.
The modified CAR-T cells are grown and multiplied in the lab.
They are infused back into the patient, where they seek out and destroy cancer cells.
The partnership aims to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for the production of CAR-T therapies. Caring Cross will provide the technology, raw materials, and expert training needed to support this local infrastructure.
CAR-T therapies, which genetically reprogram a patient's immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells, have demonstrated significant success in treating aggressive blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
The move is expected to dramatically improve access and affordability of advanced cancer treatments across the region.
Enhancing access to life-saving cancer care
The collaboration will position the UAE as a regional hub for advanced cell and gene therapies. By enabling local, point-of-care production of patient-specific therapies, the initiative will expand the reach of these therapies to underserved populations across the Mena region.
The first phase of the program will focus on CAR-T therapies for leukemia and lymphoma, with plans to explore treatments for other diseases, including HIV, in the future.
Dr Ajlan Al Zaki, Director of the Hematology Oncology & Cellular Therapy Center at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi said, 'We are honored to partner with Caring Cross, whose expertise in CAR-T cell therapy production technology will enable us to provide affordable, life-saving treatments to our communities and beyond. This partnership is a pivotal step in our commitment to advancing medical innovation and expanding access to critical healthcare services.'
The partnership will focus on training and developing local healthcare providers, ensuring the sustainable and scalable delivery of CAR-T therapies across Mena, India, and globally.
Notably, with costs ranging from US$350,000 to over $1 million in global markets, access for blood cancer treatments remain severely restricted.
Stakeholders emphasized that the partnership seeks to dismantle this barrier by enabling the production of CAR-T therapies at a fraction of the current price, making these treatments accessible to a vastly broader patient population in Mena and beyond.
'We are excited to partner with Burjeel Holdings to improve access to CAR-T cell and other ATMPs for patients across their hospital networks in the Mena region,' said Boro Dropulić, Executive Director of Caring Cross. 'This collaboration advances our mission to make these groundbreaking treatments accessible and affordable around the world. We intend to significantly improve patient access with a sustainable and cost-effective model.'