KFSHRC Achieves Breakthrough in Gene Therapy with Local Production of CAR-T Cells

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has set a new milestone in Saudi Arabia’s medical innovation landscape, successfully producing and administering chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) locally — a first for the Kingdom. The achievement marks a major leap in gene and cell therapy, showcasing the nation’s growing expertise in advanced biomedical research and treatment.

The landmark development led to the successful treatment of the first Saudi patient suffering from refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, using CAR-T cells manufactured at KFSHRC’s advanced gene therapy facility in Riyadh. The clinical trial — the first of its kind in the Kingdom — was conducted under the supervision of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), ensuring international standards of safety, precision, and quality.

With the local production of CAR-T therapy, treatment costs have been dramatically reduced from SR 1.3 million to approximately SR 250,000 per patient. Manufacturing time has also been shortened from nearly a month to just 12–14 days. Previously, CAR-T cells had to be produced overseas, a process often delayed by shipping and storage logistics. This new capability now allows Saudi patients to receive life-saving treatment more swiftly and within the country.

CAR-T therapy is one of the world’s most advanced cancer treatments, designed for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation. It works by re-engineering a patient’s own immune cells to detect and destroy cancer cells, offering renewed hope for those battling aggressive blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Building on this success, KFSHRC plans to scale up its gene therapy capacity to deliver up to 100 treatments annually. This expansion aligns with the National Biotechnology Strategy, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which seeks to enhance public health, localize biotech industries, and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in life sciences by 2040.

At the Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh, KFSHRC is showcasing its most advanced innovations — including its T-cell therapy program, robotic surgeries, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and complex transplant procedures for the liver, small intestine, and epilepsy treatment.

KFSHRC continues to be recognized as a regional and global leader in healthcare excellence. It ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year. The hospital was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in both Saudi Arabia and the Middle East by Brand Finance 2024, and was listed in Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” and “World’s Best Smart Hospitals” rankings for 2025.