The Bahrain Oncology Centre has achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully administering CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy — Casgevy — to treat sickle cell disease. This marks the first such treatment outside the United States, showcasing Bahrain’s emergence as a leader in precision medicine.

The gene-editing therapy involves extracting and editing a patient’s stem cells to produce healthy red blood cells, which are then reintroduced into the body after rigorous testing. Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, Casgevy utilizes Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR/Cas9 technology to offer a potential cure for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, both of which severely impact the quality of life.

This breakthrough follows Bahrain’s approval of Casgevy in December 2023, making it the second country globally and the first in the Middle East to adopt this innovative treatment.

Image Credit: Bahrain Oncology Centre