Category: Africa

Dr. Al Fayyadh at Harvard: We Leverage Technology to Tackle Global Health Challenges

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dr. Majid Al Fayyadh, CEO of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) joined the Gulf Creatives Conference (GCC) at Harvard 2024. The event, GCC at Harvard, is organized by The Diwan, an organization run by graduate students at Harvard University. In his address, Dr. Al Fayyadh showcased the KFSH&RC’s journey since its inception in Riyadh almost five decades ago, highlighting how it has significantly reduced the need for patients to travel abroad for medical care. KFSH&RC has evolved into a premier provider of tertiary healthcare services and today offers cutting-edge treatments for heart diseases, tumors, organ transplantation, and genetic disorders.

Dr. Al Fayyadh discussed KFSH&RC’s transformation into an independent, non-profit foundation. This move, he indicated, aligns with the organization’s strategic vision to become a global healthcare innovation leader, emphasizing excellence, innovation, and investment in cutting-edge technology to tackle global health challenges.

“The Saudi Leadership has outlined a clear vision for KFSH&RC, mandated by a royal decree transitioning the hospital into an independent Sui Generis, non-profit foundation,” stated His Excellency, Dr. Al Fayyadh.

He further highlighted that this transformation seeks to elevate global healthcare standards through increased independence and flexibility. This shift will allow KSFH&RC to optimize existing services, pursue new opportunities, and direct resources toward initiatives that promote human health and well-being both within the Kingdom and internationally. Ultimately, this move reinforces KFSH&RC’s dedication to patient-centered excellence.

Dr. Al Fayyadh pointed out that KFSH&RC envisions itself as a leader in maximizing the value of healthcare spending, adhering to evidence-based practices to ensure optimal patient outcomes. It seeks to remain at the forefront of global healthcare innovation, with initiatives designed to increase health equity and access worldwide. To achieve this, KFSH&RC will continue to invest in cutting-edge medical facilities, advanced diagnostic equipment, and state-of-the-art treatment technologies. Building on existing progress in areas like CAR T-cell therapy, robotic surgeries, organ transplants, and personalized medicine, the institution aims to achieve global competitiveness. This will be further supported by fostering an exceptional workforce, pursuing Nobel Prize-caliber breakthroughs, and strengthening strategic international collaborations.

Dr. Al Fayyadh joined a panel discussion focusing on the evolving landscape of the healthcare sector and the positive outcomes of KFSH&RC’s ongoing transformation in patient care. He also addressed current challenges and anticipated future developments within the healthcare sector, emphasizing the profound impact of the hospital’s innovations on global healthcare advancement. Additionally, Dr. Al Fayyadh highlighted the effective role of the hospital’s transformative initiatives in aligning with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

KFSH&RC is recognized as one of the leading global institutions that provide specialized healthcare, drive innovation, and serve as an advanced medical research and education hub. It is dedicated to developing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards worldwide, forging partnerships with leading local, regional, and international institutions to deliver world-class services in clinical, research, and educational domains.

For the second year running, KFSH&RC has retained its status as the leading institution in the Kingdom and ranks 20th globally among the top 250 academic medical centers worldwide. It is also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East in 2024, according to Brand Finance, and has been ranked among the world’s top 250 hospitals by Newsweek Magazine.

About King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre:

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre stands among the global leaders in providing specialized healthcare, driving innovation, and serving as an advanced medical research and education hub. Through strategic partnerships with prominent local, regional, and international institutions, the hospital is dedicated to advancing medical technologies and elevating healthcare standards worldwide.

The hospital has secured its position as the leading brand in the healthcare sector across the Kingdom and the Middle East, marking its second consecutive year as the most valuable healthcare brand. It ranks 9th within the Kingdom and 28th in the Middle East. The hospital distinguishes itself as the sole hospital globally to break into the top 10 brands in its country, as highlighted in two reports by “Brand Finance” on the 50 most valuable brands in Saudi Arabia and the 150 most valuable brands in the Middle East in 2024.

Due to the transformation programs and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, launched by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – to enhance the Kingdom’s leadership in the global healthcare sector, KFSH&RC has emerged as a leading Academic Medical Centre in the Middle East and Africa. It maintained its 20th rank globally for the second consecutive year in 2024, according to “Brand Finance.” Additionally, it has been ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally in 2024 by the American magazine “Newsweek.”

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Essam AlZahrani, Acting Head of Media Affairs, 0555254429

Mr. Abdullah Alown, Media Coordination Officer, 0556294232

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has experienced a year of achievements across its three Centres of Excellence—Oncology, Genomics, and Transplantation.

KFSH&RC’s Oncology Centre of Excellence continues to lead the fight against the disease in the Kingdom. This year alone, the centre has treated 25% of all cancer cases in Saudi Arabia, achieving a 50% overall recovery rate and up to 90% recovery in leukemia cases. With almost five decades of service, the centre’s commitment to providing advanced cancer treatments is evident in its adoption of technologies such as CAR T-cell therapy and liquid biopsy, which provide less invasive alternatives to traditional methods, along with extensive bone marrow transplants, and revolutionary techniques like Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Notably, KFSH&RC has achieved a milestone by completing over 100 CAR T-cell therapy procedures, a novel treatment that genetically modifies a patient’s immune cells to fight cancer. This achievement puts it on par with renowned institutions that are also advancing CAR-T cell therapy for various blood cancers and exploring expanded applications through clinical trials and new treatment protocols. Furthermore, the centre’s focus on pediatric oncology boasts a 97% five-year survival rate for renal tumors and a 92% survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

With rapid advancements in genomic medicine, KFSH&RC is adopting next-generation sequencing technologies into patient care in its Genomic Centre, revolutionizing local and regional approaches to disease management. KFSH&RC’s discovery of the bacterial strain Stenotrophomonas Riyadhensis, facilitated by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technology, has contributed to our understanding of bacterial antibiotic resistance mechanisms. With 15,698 patient visits and over 5,658 whole genomes completed in 2023, the centre ensures that prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are precise and personalized.

KFSH&RC’s Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE) continues to be the primary contributor to organ transplantation activities in the Kingdom, accounting for 65% of all transplants performed nationally. In 2023, OTCoE performed 1,092 solid organ transplants, including the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant— where doctors employed robotic technology to conduct surgery on both patient and donor — an achievement that places the centre at the forefront of global transplantation practices.

As KFSH&RC continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical science, its efforts not only inspire but also significantly impact the global healthcare community, reaffirming its role as a leader in medical innovation and specialized healthcare.

About King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC):

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) stands as a leading healthcare institution in the Middle East, envisioned to be the optimal choice for every patient seeking specialized healthcare. The hospital boasts a rich history in the treatment of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and genetics.

In 2024, “Brand Finance” ranked King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre as the top academic medical centre in the Middle East and Africa, and among the top 20 globally for the second consecutive year. Additionally, in 2024, it was recognized as one of the leading global healthcare providers by Newsweek magazine.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, a royal decree was issued on December 21, 2021, to transform the hospital into an independent, non-profit, government-owned entity, paving the way for a comprehensive transformation program aimed at achieving global leadership in healthcare through excellence and innovation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Essam Al-Zahrani, Acting Media Affairs Head, 0555254429

Mr. Abdullah Al-Aown, Media Coordination Officer, 0556294232

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e99afd2f-d5c6-400e-9290-26b36a580bee

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9115490

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Harvard University — Eight years into Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides with digital innovations and enhanced access to quality care. Strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent, have led to advancements revolutionizing patient care delivery and elevating the standards of healthcare locally. These efforts have notably raised the average life expectancy, reduced mortality rates, and enhanced overall well-being across the Kingdom.

Central to these achievements, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC), renowned for its specialized care and treatments across critical fields such as oncology, cardiology, organ transplantation, and genetics has positioned itself as a leader in specialized patient care, taking the charge towards a brighter, healthier future for the Kingdom. Through its commitment to pioneering digital health initiatives, comprehensive educational programs, and novel research endeavors, it is reshaping the local landscape, and setting new standards of efficiency and accessibility.

In an era defined by technological advancements, and with the Kingdom’s push towards digitalization, KFSH&RC stands at the forefront of digital health integration among its local peers, leveraging cutting-edge telemedicine services, virtual consultations, and AI-driven tools such as the ANFAL AI System that transforms patient outcomes through predictive insights and personalized care, ensuring the best outcomes for patient satisfaction.

KFSH&RC’s digital health initiatives extend to addressing broader health threats through technologies such as Whole Genomic Sequencing (WGS) and Advanced Radiation Therapy. The hospital has also pioneered organ transplantation by performing the world’s first fully robotic liver transplant and introduced to the region innovations like the Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (TPV), enhancing patient recovery and experience. These technologies facilitate personalized treatment plans and improve the accuracy and speed of medical diagnostics, contributing significantly to the elevation of patient care standards and a sustainable, resilient healthcare infrastructure in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program.

KFSH&RC continues to push the boundaries of medical research addressing pressing health challenges and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s public health landscape, with discoveries like the PfAP2-MRP gene crucial for malaria treatment and the identification of the new Riyadhensis bacteria strain. These discoveries have not only improved diagnostic accuracy but also facilitated early interventions, ensuring timely and effective patient support, in line with the national objectives to reduce chronic disease prevalence.

These comprehensive efforts are supported by KFSH&RC’s robust educational initiatives, which prepare the next generation of medical professionals through training programs and international collaborations.

Recognized by ‘Brand Finance’ in 2024 as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the second consecutive year, placing 9th in Saudi Arabia and 28th in the Middle East. Additionally, KFSH&RC stands out as the only hospital worldwide to be ranked among its country’s top ten most valuable brands.

About King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC):

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) stands as a leading healthcare institution in the Middle East, envisioned to be the optimal choice for every patient seeking specialized healthcare. The hospital boasts a rich history in the treatment of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and genetics.

In 2024, “Brand Finance” ranked King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre as the top academic medical centre in the Middle East and Africa, and among the top 20 globally for the second consecutive year. Additionally, in 2024, it was recognized as one of the leading global healthcare providers by Newsweek magazine.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, a royal decree was issued on December 21, 2021, to transform the hospital into an independent, non-profit, government-owned entity, paving the way for a comprehensive transformation program aimed at achieving global leadership in healthcare through excellence and innovation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Essam Al-Zahrani, Media Affairs Head, 0555254429

Mr. Abdullah Al-Aown, Media Coordination Officer, 0556294232

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/003e76ab-3d93-42d4-9edf-5e652a14c559

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Curia & Carterra Biologics Symposium

ALBANY, N.Y. and SALT LAKE CITY, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Curia, a leading contract research, development and manufacturing organization and Carterra Inc., the world leader in label-free high throughput antibody and small molecule drug discovery, today announced their partnership in hosting a high-throughput biologics symposium slated for May 31 at the Residence Inn at Marriott in Seattle, Washington.

The purpose of the collaboration is to promote the rising biotech focus within the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S and Canada. The symposium will bring together all levels of scientific leadership from the biotech and pharma communities.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Carterra to organize this antibody discovery symposium, bringing the Pacific Northwest biotech community together and sharing the latest advances in antibody discovery,” said Steve Lavezoli, Vice President of Biologics at Curia. “We are also looking forward to sharing our optimal, high-quality and accelerated antibody discovery workflows to first-to-human antibody discovery, development and clinical manufacturing. Antibodies discovered and/or engineered with Curia’s platform technology are in the clinic and we have over 230 successful antibody discovery campaigns performed for the biotech community.”

Speed, scientific expertise and efficiency can surmount the high attrition rates of early antibody discovery and achieve first-to-market delivery of new therapeutics. The symposium will highlight Curia’s technology platform and integrated services with a focus on the development of enhanced mouse systems for antibody generation and high-throughput single B cell screening. The combination of next generation sequencing (NGS) and rapid recombinant production of milligram to gram quantities of purified monoclonal antibody (mAb) significantly accelerates identification of development candidate leads.

Since 2017, Carterra has been selling its powerful LSA^® high-throughput biosensor to analyze and characterize antibodies using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). With the launch of its LSA^XT platform last year, Carterra now offers products that can perform small molecule analysis as well as antibody discovery. The LSA platform has been profiled in several peer-reviewed papers in Science, Nature and Cell, detailing the path of multiple therapeutics entering clinical trials. At the symposium, several leading scientists in biopharma will be sharing their insights into their specific areas of drug discovery and will highlight the transformative impact of integrating HT-SPR technology, AI/ML and other new technologies.

“We are excited to be partnering with Curia on our symposium. Carterra symposia are scientific events that we host each year throughout the U.S. and Europe,” stated Chris M. Silva, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Carterra. “These symposia help us to share the latest technology advancements and important data generated from the workflows of scientists using Carterra’s label-free platforms. Coming to the Pacific Northwest is an opportunity to create a deeper understanding of the technology in pharma and biotechs in this region.”

Click here to RSVP for the event. Registration is required as seating is limited.

About Curia:
Curia is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience, an integrated network of 27 global sites and over 3,500 employees partnering with Biopharmaceutical customers to bring life-changing therapies to market. Our biologics and small molecules offerings span discovery through commercialization, with integrated regulatory and analytical capabilities. Our scientific and process experts and state-of-the-art facilities deliver best-in-class experience across drug substance and drug product manufacturing. From curiosity to cure, we deliver every step to improve patients’ lives. Visit us at curiaglobal.com.

About Carterra, Inc.:
Carterra, Inc. is a privately held company. Its HT-SPR technology provides large-molecule and small-molecule drug discovery customers with screening and characterization throughput and functionality that scales with omics-level applications, condensing months of work down to days. Our solutions have enabled multiple therapeutics and breakthrough research and helped academic and translational researchers and biopharmaceutical companies in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and more.  Carterra is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has Customer Experience Centers in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Boston, Manchester, England, and Munich, Germany. Carterra products are available in Asia-Pacific and Oceania through our exclusive distributor, Revvity. To learn more, visit www.carterra-bio.com or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).

Curia Contact Information:
Viana Bhagan
+1 518 512 2111
corporatecommunications@CuriaGlobal.com

Carterra Media Contact:
Cheri Salazar
(408) 594-9400
csalazar@carterra-bio.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/020a0a28-86f0-4f6c-96f2-0eaa01c82784

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Multi-year agreement provides service solutions to the SunZia Transmission Project, linking New Mexico’s wind farms to Arizona’s grid, increasing renewable energy to Western States

Zurich, Switzerland, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Pattern Energy to support its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies for the SunZia Transmission Project. The link will connect the 3,515-megawatt (MW) SunZia Wind project in New Mexico to Arizona and Western states, which will be one of the world’s largest transmission links delivering renewable energy.

The long-term agreement will provide service solutions for the SunZia Transmission HVDC link, currently under construction¹, owned by Pattern Energy, one of the world’s largest privately-owned developers and operators of renewable energy and transmission projects. Hitachi Energy’s HVDC Light^® technology will efficiently transfer and integrate huge volumes of wind power over more than 885 kilometers (550 miles) into the regional power grid. This will significantly increase the availability of sustainable energy for homes and businesses throughout the region when it enters operation, which is expected in 2025.

EnCompass is Hitachi Energy’s portfolio of partnership-oriented service offerings, signaling a step-change in life cycle thinking. This order underlines Hitachi Energy’s commitment to trusted long-term partnerships and builds on its proven track record of delivering innovative and reliable energy service solutions ².

When complete, SunZia Wind will have a total power capacity of 3,515 MW, enough clean, renewable electricity to provide power to approximately three million Americans³. The HVDC link will efficiently transmit up to 3,000 MW of this power west to Arizona. The HVDC Light system will be the largest voltage source converter (VSC) installation in the United States, one of the largest worldwide, and one of the country’s longest HVDC connections.

“We’re proud to be selected once again to provide our unique service expertise to keep the important SunZia link operating at maximum efficiency, performance, and reliability,” said Andreas Berthou, global head of the HVDC business at Hitachi Energy. “With our service solutions, we are building a partnership ecosystem to ensure continued support to the HVDC link throughout its lifetime, delivering cutting edge digital service with sustainability and customer-value at its core.”

“The SunZia transmission and Wind projects provide a roadmap to accelerate the transition to renewable energy,” said Paul Haberlein, VP of Operational Excellence at Pattern Energy. “SunZia will play a vital role in delivering clean and sustainable energy to Western states. Pattern selected Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader, as our partner to engineer, manufacture and maintain the HVDC converter stations after they enter operation.”

Service for an HVDC system includes a wide range of activities and support, including scheduled maintenance, cyber services, on-site engineering support and life cycle assessment of the HVDC Light stations.

Hitachi Energy recognizes that the energy transition begins with existing infrastructure and the company is championing the urgency and the pace of change needed to reach Net Zero.  Leveraging on the company’s century of experience and expertise, its dedicated teams deliver exceptional service solutions that cover the entire life cycle of their customer’s assets, ensuring resilient operations. The company offers expert advice at every stage of the process across the whole portfolio, addressing both present and future needs to help customers achieve a sustainable energy future.

Hitachi Energy pioneered commercial HVDC technology 70 years ago and has delivered more than half of the world’s HVDC projects and has the largest installed base of HVDC in the world.

Notes to editors

1 https://www.hitachienergy.com/se/sv/about-us/customer-success-stories/sunzia
2 https://www.hitachienergy.com/services-and-consulting/services/encompass-agreements
3 https://sunzia.net/impact/

About Hitachi Energy 
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are advancing the world’s energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure and we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future – for today’s generations and those to come. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries, serving customers in utility, industry, transportation, data centers and infrastructure sectors. With innovative technologies and services including the integration of more than 150 gigawatts of HVDC links into the power system, we help make the energy value chain more efficient, making electricity more accessible to all. Together with stakeholders across sectors and geographies, we enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 45,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of around $13 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy
https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

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Kurt Steinert
Hitachi Energy North America
rebecca.bleasdale@hitachienergy.com

Global Media Relations
Hitachi Energy
media.relations@hitachienergy.com

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