The Bahrain Oncology Center has introduced and delivered, a groundbreaking gene therapy for treating blood disorders such as beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease .
This marks a significant milestone as it is the first treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that employs the advanced CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, representing a notable achievement in Bahrain's medical history.
Casgevy works by editing patients' stem cells to correct the genetic defects responsible for these diseases, leading to substantial health improvements. This pioneering project received the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and Prime Minister, The Bahrain Oncology Center used its expertise in bone marrow transplantation (a standard treatment for several types of blood cancer) to achieve accreditation in offering this advanced treatment for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia.
With this landmark achievement, Bahrain has positioned itself among the first countries worldwide to provide the CASGEVY (Exa-cel) treatment, showcasing the kingdom's commitment to delivering cutting-edge therapies and enhancing healthcare standards. Notably, the Royal Medical Services at the Bahrain Oncology Center has successfully treated a patient with sickle cell disease using Casgevy, marking the first successful application of this CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy outside the United States.
