- KFSHRC partners with KACST to establish National Biotechnology Center
Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, or KFSHRC, says it is spearheading Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goal of becoming a global leader in biotechnology.
Through groundbreaking advancements in genomics, biomanufacturing and sustainable health care, KFSHRC is transforming the country’s health care landscape, it added.
One of KFSHRC’s most significant achievements is the localization of CAR T-cell therapy production. By producing these life-saving therapies domestically, the hospital has reduced treatment costs by a substantial 80 percent and improved patient access, it said.
“Recognizing the importance of a robust biotechnology ecosystem, KFSHRC has partnered with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to establish the National Biotechnology Center. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and commercialization,” a KFSHRC statement to Arab News said.
Dr. Edward Cupler, executive director of research and innovation at KFSHRC, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s potential to become a biotechnology powerhouse, driven by the hospital’s pioneering work in CAR T-cell therapy, genomics and AI.
The hospital’s Genomics Center is also at the forefront of precision medicine, using advanced genetic analysis to develop personalized treatment plans, he said.
Dr. Cupler said KFSHRC’s commitment to innovation extended beyond clinical care. The hospital’s researchers had made significant strides in biomedical research, including developing the country’s first genetically engineered mice using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.
KFSHRC has invested heavily in education and training programs to sustain its growth. The hospital is reducing reliance on imports and fostering self-sufficiency in the biotechnology sector by developing local expertise in genomics, regenerative medicine, and bioinformatics.
These efforts also attract top talent worldwide, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a rising biotechnology leader.
For two consecutive years, KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers.
Additionally, it has been recognized as the most valuable health care brand in the Middle East and named among the world’s best 250 hospitals by Newsweek magazine.
In a major breakthrough in medicine, KFSHRC last month performed the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. The two-and-a-half-hour operation was carried out on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage heart failure.
The pioneering achievement, overcoming significant medical challenges associated with such procedures, reinforces Saudi Arabia’s leadership in health care, and highlights KFSHRC’s ability to innovate medical practices, the hospital’s statement said.
