The Health Department provides a treatment with genetic liberation technology for sickle cells
Abu Dhabi, March 28 / WAM / The Department of Health-Abu Dhabi announced the provision of “Qusjafi” treatment for the first time in the country, the first treatment with genetic liberation technology “Krisper-Cas 9”.
This achievement is a new opening in the field of medicine, as it provides an innovative treatment for patients who suffer from sickle cell anemia and snowmia based on blood transfusion and establishes Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global destination in the field of life sciences and genetic treatments.
Treatment is provided through the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center in coordination with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and in cooperation with the company “Vertix” specializing in biotechnology, and it is expected that the first patient will start taking advantage of this innovative treatment in Yas Klink Hospital in the month of April.
CRISPR-Cas 9 is an innovative technique for modifying genes with high accuracy with the aim of treating genetic diseases by modifying specific DNA sequences.
The treatment of “Qusjafi” is given only once, as stem cells of the patient’s bone marrow are extracted and then genetically released in the laboratory before returning to the patient’s body, which provides him with a long -term treatment.
His Excellency Dr. Noura Khamis Al -Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Health Department – Abu Dhabi, said: “We continue in the department our commitment to providing the highest levels of health care by adopting the latest innovations in the field of medicine and these innovative technologies such as genetic liberation contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination in health care and life sciences.”
For her part, Dr. Mason Al Karam, Executive Director of Medical Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center and Yas Klink Hospital, said: “Our cooperation with leading institutions such as” Vertex “represents an important step in providing innovative treatments for patients, especially for those who suffer from genetic diseases such as Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, which is in line with the UAE’s vision in providing innovative medical solutions.”
“We are pleased to be part of this innovative medical achievement in the UAE, and through this partnership we aim to provide qualitative genetic treatments for patients and improve the quality of their lives,” added Hisham Hajar, General Manager of “Vertix” in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Emirates Drug Administration granted a Casgevy treatment license to treat patients between the ages of 12 years and more and who suffer from sickle cell anemia with repeated vascular blockage attacks or a blood transfusion.
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