KFSH&RC Hosts Advanced Therapies Forum in Riyadh

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has announced it will host the Advanced Therapies Forum on June 23-24 in Riyadh, bringing together 30 representatives from government organizations and academic institutions to position the Kingdom as a regional hub for advanced therapies. The forum, announced in a press release by KFSH&RC and reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), aims to foster collaboration among healthcare institutions, industry partners, funding agencies, investors, regulators, and government agencies to accelerate the development and local manufacturing of cell and gene therapies.

Context and Background

KFSH&RC is a leading academic medical center in Saudi Arabia, consistently ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for the second consecutive year. The hospital has been at the forefront of advanced therapies since 2020, when it successfully treated the first child in the region using CAR T-cell therapy. Since then, over 120 patients have received genetically modified immune cells, offering hope where no treatment options previously existed. The Advanced Therapies Forum builds on this momentum, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing healthcare innovation under Vision 2030.

Key Details

The forum will feature 15 keynote speeches, more than 30 presentations of projects currently under development by industry leaders, five panel discussions, and numerous discussion sessions. These activities aim to develop a shared vision for the future of advanced therapies in the Kingdom and focus on localizing the technology for manufacturing cell and gene therapies. Attendees will include scientists, physicians, healthcare leaders, investors, and industry partners, offering industrial partners—including pharmaceutical companies of all sizes—opportunities to showcase their research and explore partnership opportunities with healthcare institutions. A key objective is to increase the number of clinical trials in T-cell therapy and gene therapy, enabling patients in the Kingdom to access novel treatments.

Implications and Impact

The forum comes at a time when gene and cell therapies are witnessing significant global advancements. More than 30 genetically modified gene and cell therapies are expected to be approved for clinical use by 2024, and the global market for cell and gene therapies is anticipated to grow tremendously, surpassing the traditional drug market and reaching over $50 billion annually by 2027. More than two million patients are expected to benefit from T-cell therapy over the next decade, with over a thousand clinical trials currently in development worldwide. By hosting this forum, Saudi Arabia positions itself at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, potentially attracting investment, fostering innovation, and enhancing its healthcare sector’s global competitiveness. The event also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to diversify its economy and develop knowledge-based industries.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Advanced Therapies Forum directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of enhancing healthcare quality and building a sustainable, innovation-driven economy. By localizing advanced therapy manufacturing and increasing clinical trials, the Kingdom aims to reduce reliance on imported treatments, create high-skilled jobs, and improve patient outcomes. KFSH&RC’s leadership in this domain, recognized by Brand Finance as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, exemplifies the transformative potential of Saudi healthcare institutions. As the Kingdom continues to invest in cutting-edge medical research and infrastructure, it reinforces its role as a global leader in advanced therapies, ultimately contributing to the well-being of its citizens and the world.