CDMO Capabilities to Bolster Biotechnology Ecosystem

Acknowledging critical unmet medical needs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Charles River's collaboration with Lafana Holding, a leading Saudi investment firm, is focused on supporting biotechnology ecosystem development.

Lafana will exclusively represent our established cell and gene therapy (CGT) contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capabilities, with therapeutic developers benefitting from an extensive integrated portfolio, production platforms, and dedicated plasmid DNA and viral vector CDMO centers of excellence from preclinical and clinical stages through commercialization.

"As Saudi Arabia implements impactful changes to expand its biotechnology ecosystem, we trust Charles River's decades of success and industry-leading expertise to provide therapeutic developers access to established gene therapy CDMO capabilities and enabling platforms," commented Abdulelah Abunayyan, Lafana Holding Managing Director, on the agreement.

Accelerating Advanced Therapies

As an extension of the company's CGT Accelerator Program (CAP), the agreement also marks the launch of Charles River's Saudi Cell and Gene Therapy Accelerator (SCGA) program. The latter will have a specific focus on the GCC region, providing investment and manufacturing support, scientific advisory services, and sub-licensing opportunities.

"We are thrilled to partner with Lafana as Charles River expands geographically into the GCC region, to support patients with critical unmet medical needs," added Kerstin Dolph, CSVP, Global Manufacturing. "This collaboration reinforces Charles River's commitment to offering an accessible concept to cure cell and gene therapy portfolio, bolstered by dedicated CDMO centers of excellence, and aligns with our mission to create healthier lives."

For more information on our integrated plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy development and manufacturing platforms and services, please visit Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO Solutions.

Advance your CGT

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