• KFSHRC to lead Clinical Trials Targeting Aplastic Anemia and Graft vs. Host Disease
• Cellenkos to Support Local Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing at KFSHRC

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) and Cellenkos^® Inc., a Texas based clinical stage biotech company, have signed a strategic international memorandum of understanding (MOU) following the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025, underscoring KFSHRC's commitment to contributing to the advancement of medical innovation and strengthening strategic global collaborations and Cellenkos' resolve to develop T regulatory (Treg) Cell Therapies for treatment of rare diseases with unmet medical needs.

This landmark MOU establishes the foundation for strategic collaboration between KFSHRC and Cellenkos to launch the first clinical trial alliance between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. The partnership will begin with two clinical trials evaluating Cellenkos' Treg products for the treatment of Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) and Aplastic Anemia. This initiative will pave the way for expanding into neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cardiovascular disorders. Simultaneously, Cellenkos will assist KFSHRC in building local infrastructure for cell and gene therapy manufacturing, training, and education.

"At KFSHRC, we remain deeply committed to improving treatment options for patients with Aplastic Anemia and GVHD—conditions that present serious challenges for many individuals and families in our care. We look forward to working together with Cellenkos in a way that serves our patients and supports the advancement of tailored therapeutic solutions," said His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Al Fayyadh, CEO of KFSHRC. "We are thrilled about this partnership and opportunity to work alongside a world-class institution like KFSHRC," said Dr. Simrit Parmar, Founder of Cellenkos and Faculty at Texas A&M University. "Having seen firsthand the sophistication of KFSHRC's bone marrow transplant program—including locally manufactured CD19 CAR T therapies, we're confident that this collaboration will significantly reduce costs and improve patient access. By utilizing KFSHRC's cord blood bank as a local source for manufacturing, we can optimize scalability and impact. This marks the beginning of a transformative era in Treg cell therapy for global healthcare."