On October 10, 2023, CG Therapeutics Private Limited (CGT) and Hemogen HongKong Alpha Technology Limited, a subsidiary of Hemogen (Hong Kong), officially signed a cooperation agreement aimed at introducing new treatment technologies for thalassemia patients in Malaysia.
Witnessed by Dato' Lim Siang Chai, former Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia and current Executive Director of Jiankun International Berhad, and Dato' Dr. Mohd Nazlee Kamal, Vice President of Solution Group Berhad, the signing ceremony took place.
Lim Siang Chai (center) and Nazrijama (left) witness the signing ceremony between CGT and Hemogen, and Dr. Linden is on the right
CGT is a startup company focused on medical clinical research, with core treatment areas including oncology, rare genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases，and neurodegenerative diseases. Hemogen, specializing in anemia treatment, is a subsidiary of BGI Genomics. Established in 1999, BGI Genomics is the world's largest genomics research institution. Through an integrated model of production, learning， and research, it leads innovative development in genomics and applies cutting-edge multi-omics research results in medical health, resource conservation, and forensic services in over 100 countries and regions globally.
Jianglian Lv, business development director of Hemogen, stated, "In order to achieve the goal of 'No Thalassemia ', BGI Genomics has developed patented technology for thalassemia gene therapy. The decision to collaborate with CGT in Malaysia was primarily due to our past cooperation on other projects, which has built a certain level of understanding and trust between the two parties."
Gene Therapy: A Curative Approach for Thalassemia
Gene therapy involves using molecular biology techniques to introduce normal (target) genes into patients, which replaces defective genes and achieves breakthrough therapeutic effects at the genetic level. Dr. Linden, a medical consultant at CGT, explained further, "Gene therapy is a curative therapy, unlike past symptomatic treatments relying on transfusions or bone marrow transplants." The one-time gene therapy process for thalassemia typically takes about a month, significantly shortening the long-term inconvenience and suffering for patients compared to traditional treatments.
Accelerating Clinical Trials of Gene Therapy in Malaysia
"Gene therapy can address three key issues for thalassemia patients: inadequate blood supply leading to irregular transfusions, lack of suitable bone marrow donors, and rejection after bone marrow transplantation," explained Dr. Wong Yung Wai, CEO of CGT. "Because gene therapy uses the patient's own stem cells, there are essentially no concerns about rejection."
Dr. Wong also revealed that CGT and Hemogen are actively preparing all relevant agreements and operating procedures to accelerate obtaining approval from the Malaysian Ministry of Health. This is aimed at collaborating with local specialist doctors to conduct clinical trials of thalassemia gene therapy in Malaysia.
Popularizing Gene Therapy to Reduce Treatment Costs
Outside of the Middle East, CGT is the first institution in Southeast Asia to formally sign a cooperation agreement with Hemogen. This collaboration aims to educate medical regulatory authorities, healthcare workers, and the public about gene therapy through various channels, striving to popularize thalassemia gene therapy and localize products. Additionally, it aims to increase output to lower costs, allowing more people to afford gene therapy.
In 2024, there are expected to be tens of thousands of thalassemia patients in Malaysia
The incidence of thalassemia is concentrated in equatorial countries that includes Malasia. According to genetic frequency and birth rate statistics, 3% - 5% of Malaysia's population carries the thalassemia gene, and thousands of babies are born with thalassemia every year. Among them, 120 to 350 are children with thalassemia who require blood transfusions.
If calculated based on the growth rate of 40.79% from 2013 to 2018 in Malaysia, by 2024, it is estimated that there will be 11,323 thalassemia patients in Malaysia who require blood transfusions. If each patient undergoes lifelong transfusion treatment costing up to $700,000, it will impose a significant burden on Malaysia's public health sector.
It is anticipated that the close cooperation between CGT and Hemogen will help accelerate the advancement and development of thalassemia gene therapy in Malaysia, reduce the government's related burden, and improve the quality of life for thalassemia patients, bringing them new life and hope.
