2024 in Review: Advancing Health Equity Through Innovation and Collaboration

Disruptive Innovation 


Innovation has always been at the core of our mission. In 2024, we further strengthened our position as pioneers in advanced medical solutions by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in point-of-care manufacturing. Our teams have worked tirelessly to implement innovative methods that not only challenge conventional practices but also pave the way for cost-effective, scalable therapies that can reach those who need them most.

Health Equity 


At Caring Cross, we remain steadfast in our belief that health is a fundamental human right. This year, we expanded our efforts to ensure that groundbreaking treatments for serious diseases like cancer and Sickle Cell Disease reach underserved communities. Our work is redefining access to these therapies by prioritizing a sustainable and cost-effective approach. Through partnerships with organizations such as Brazil’s Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) and the Ministry of Health in Brazil, we have made significant headway in democratizing CAR-T production, reducing costs to approximately $35,000 per therapy. Fiocruz is also set to serve as a manufacturing hub for clinical centers throughout Latin America, supporting a regional shift towards point-of-care (POC) production that could benefit countless patients.

Medical Technology 


The pace of medical technology advancement in 2024 was both inspiring and necessary. We continued to harness state-of-the-art tools and processes, demonstrating the potential of portable bio-manufacturing units. The success of these units, coupled with rigorous training programs for local scientists, has set the stage for a future where transformative treatments can be made available in remote and low-resource areas worldwide.

The partnership between Germfree and Caring Cross builds on three years of preparation, including a pilot project with Brazil’s Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) to launch local CAR-T manufacturing next year. Germfree will lead the facility innovation, providing advanced hardware and digital platforms to ensure robust quality control.

Responsible Leadership 


Transparency, integrity, and social responsibility have guided us through every decision we made this year. From strategic collaborations with academic medical centers and public health agencies to working closely with patient advocacy groups, we ensured our advancements aligned with global health priorities and ethical standards. Our dedication to responsible innovation positions us not only as a leader in medical technology but also as a trusted partner for sustainable change.

A Year Defined by Collaboration

This year, our partnerships extended beyond conventional boundaries. We embraced a collaborative spirit that brought together governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private entities to create impactful change. We saw firsthand how shared goals and resources could amplify results, enhancing our collective ability to meet pressing healthcare challenges.

In one standout example, the collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, powered by our allies at Fiocruz, showcased how public-private synergy can transform theoretical models into real-world solutions. This work exemplifies our belief that sustainable change requires joint efforts that span sectors, cultures, and continents.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The upcoming year promises new milestones as we continue to build on the successes of 2024. We are poised to scale our operations, increase our reach, and introduce more advanced therapies that reflect our core values. The lessons we learned this past year will inform our next steps, ensuring that our actions remain as dynamic and inclusive as our mission demands.

We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and the dedicated team at Caring Cross. Together, we have laid a strong foundation for a brighter future where cutting-edge treatments are not a privilege for the few, but a standard for all.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Here’s to continued progress and impactful collaborations in 2025 and beyond.

With gratitude,

Boro Dropulić, PhD MBA
Executive Director, Caring Cross