Latest news with #BahrainOncologyCentre
Arab News
16-02-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Bahrain successfully administers first CRISPR-based sickle cell treatment outside the US
MANAMA: The Bahrain Oncology Centre announced on Sunday it had successfully treated a sickle cell disease patient using CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel), marking the first time the treatment had been administered outside the US. Casgevy, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, is the first licensed therapy to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. It is designed as a potential treatment for SCD and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, two inherited blood disorders that affect patients' health and life expectancy. Bahrain approved Casgevy for use on Dec. 2, 2023, becoming the second country globally and the first in the Middle East to do so. The approval followed an assessment of the therapy's safety, quality, and effectiveness. The treatment involves a multi-step process. Firstly, stem cells are collected from the patient's bone marrow. Then, they are genetically edited to enable the production of functional hemoglobin. Lastly, the modified cells are reinfused into the patient after thorough safety testing. Bahrain's Minister of Health Dr. Jaleela bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hasan said the successful administration of the treatment highlighted the kingdom's commitment to integrating advanced medical innovations. 'We are delivering on our mandate to provide access to life-changing therapies for all beneficiaries and positioning Bahrain as a hub for innovative medical care, in line with the directives of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa,' she said. Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, commander of the Royal Medical Services, added: 'Bahrain is proud to be at the forefront of cutting-edge healthcare advancements in the region. This achievement provides new hope for patients with complex blood disorders and underscores Bahrain's growing role in medical innovation.' Dr. Edward Rowland, CEO of the Bahrain Oncology Centre, described the development as a reflection of the institution's focus on advanced technology and global partnerships. The initiative is part of Bahrain's national healthcare strategy, which prioritizes medical innovation and collaboration, and has been supported by the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, government hospitals, and the National Health Regulatory Authority.
Globe and Mail
16-02-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Bahrain Makes History with First Successful CRISPR-Based Sickle Cell Treatment Outside the US
MANAMA, Kingdom of Bahrain, Feb. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bahrain Oncology Centre (BOC) has made medical history by successfully treating a sickle cell disease (SCD) patient using CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy, Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel). This marks the first successful treatment of its kind outside the United States, positioning Bahrain as a global leader in precision medicine and innovative healthcare solutions. Casgevy, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, is the first licensed therapy to utilise CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, whose inventors were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The therapy offers a potential functional cure for SCD and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia (TDT)—inherited blood disorders that significantly impact health and life expectancy. This achievement follows Bahrain's landmark decision on 2 December 2023 to become the second country globally and the first in the Middle East to approve Casgevy for the treatment of SCD and TDT. The approval was granted after a rigorous evaluation of the therapy's safety, quality, and efficacy. The multi-stage transplant process involves stimulating the patient's bone marrow to produce large quantities of stem cells using specialised injections, then editing the stem cells to produce red blood cells carrying functional haemoglobin. The third and final stage is transplanting the edited cells back into the patient's bloodstream after rigorous quality and safety testing. This process can be used to treat Thalassaemia (Mediterranean anaemia). HE. Dr. Jaleela bint AlSayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health, said: 'This milestone exemplifies Bahrain's commitment to integrating global medical innovations into our national healthcare strategy. By fostering partnerships across institutions, we are delivering on our mandate to provide access to life-changing therapies for all beneficiaries and positioning Bahrain as a hub for innovative medical care, in line with the visionary directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.' 'Bahrain is proud to be at the forefront of cutting-edge healthcare advancements in the region. The successful administration of Gene edited autologous stem cell transplant demonstrates our dedication to providing access the most advanced treatments and reinforces our position as a regional hub for precision medicine,' said Brigadier Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the RMS. 'This provides renewed hope for patients with complex blood disorders and reinforces the Kingdom's growing focus on healthcare innovation.' 'As the clinical team responsible for delivering this groundbreaking treatment, we are honoured to bring CRISPR-based therapy to patients in Bahrain and beyond. Our success reflects the Bahrain Oncology Centre's dedication to combining advanced technology with world-class expertise. This achievement, validated by our international accreditation in bone marrow transplantation, underscores our mission to transform patient outcomes through precision medicine and collaboration with global pioneers,' said Dr Edward Rowland, CEO of Bahrain Oncology Centre. The introduction of gene-edited autologous stem cell transplant aligns with Bahrain's national healthcare strategy, which focuses on fostering global partnerships, driving medical innovation, and ensuring access to state-of-the-art technologies. This strategy reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide world-class, innovative healthcare. The success of this programme is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Royal Medical Services, Government Hospitals, and the National Health Regulatory Authority, reinforcing Bahrain's role as a regional leader in advanced healthcare solutions. About Bahrain Oncology Centre The Bahrain Oncology Centre (BOC) is a leading provider of comprehensive oncology services in the Kingdom, including bone marrow transplantation. Committed to delivering world-class healthcare, BOC integrates cutting-edge medical technologies with a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes. In 2024, BOC received Vertex accreditation for its bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy services, enabling it to provide, as an accredited centre of excellence, CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy, Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel), to sickle cell disorder and beta thalassaemia patients from all over the globe.
