Istanbul, Türkiye, and Gaithersburg, MD, USA – Koç Healthcare, a leading healthcare provider in Türkiye, and Caring Cross, a pioneering U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to democratizing access to cell and gene therapies, today announced a strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize affordable Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and other Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs) for patients across Türkiye. This collaboration will rapidly expand access to life-saving therapies for patients facing critical illnesses.
The strategic collaboration directly addresses the critical need for accessible and cost-effective CAR-T cell therapies in Türkiye, which are currently limited by high costs and reliance on overseas imports. By leveraging Koç Healthcare’s new state-of-the-art ATMP manufacturing facilities in Türkiye, this collaboration will eliminate logistical hurdles and financial barriers, ensuring patients receive timely, life-saving treatments.
“At Koç Healthcare, we have built a fully integrated ecosystem that combines accredited hospitals and leading clinical research to deliver the highest standard of patient care. Together with our hospitals, RMK AIMES, our high-risk Clinical Trial Unit, and translational research centers, we create a seamless pathway from discovery to treatment, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest advancements in medicine.” stated Erhan Bulutcu, M.D., CEO at Koç Healthcare. “Our alliance with Caring Cross will establish a sustainable, domestic manufacturing model, bringing cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapies within reach for countless patients in Türkiye at an affordable price point. This initiative signifies a major leap forward in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare solutions.”
Caring Cross brings unparalleled expertise in the research, development, and manufacturing of CAR T-cell and other cellular gene therapies, including its proprietary CAR-T cell therapy for leukemia and lymphoma.
“We are excited to partner with Koç Healthcare to improve access to CAR-T cell and other ATMPs for patients in Türkiye,” said Boro Dropulić, Executive Director of Caring Cross. “This collaboration advances our mission to make these groundbreaking treatments accessible and affordable around the world. By combining our innovative technologies with Koç Healthcare’s infrastructure, we intend to significantly improve patient access with a sustainable and cost-effective model.”
Under the agreement, Koç Healthcare will serve as the primary license holder for Caring Cross’s ATMPs in Türkiye, with both organizations collaborating to develop and commercialize these therapies. This strategic collaboration underscores a shared commitment to health equity and patient empowerment. By synergizing their strengths, Koç Healthcare and Caring Cross will drive the development and delivery of affordable ATMPs, ensuring that patients in Türkiye have access to the most advanced and effective treatments available.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Koç Healthcare Contact:
Tanla Silay
Corporate Communications Manager
Koç Healthcare [email protected] Mobile: +90 (549) 836 8674
Caring Cross Contacts:
Daniel Laender
Director of Communications
Caring Cross
Email: daniel.laender@beatrix-ferenczcaringcross-org
Mobile: +1 (240) 447-3692
Kathy Fowler
On The Marc Media
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (410) 963-2345
About Koç Healthcare:
With over 100 years of history, Koç Healthcare consistently delivers exceptional patient care, advanced diagnostics, and treatment technologies, adhering to the highest international standards. Comprising Türkiye’s top-ranked medical institutions—American Hospital, Koç University Hospital, American Outpatient Medical Center, Bodrum American Hospital, and VetAmerican—Koç Healthcare serves thousands of local and international patients daily with a workforce of over 4,000. Renowned for its leadership in health education, research, and clinical services, Koç Healthcare sets the standard for international healthcare excellence.
About Caring Cross:
Caring Cross is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the development of advanced medicines and ensuring global access to cures. To achieve its mission, Caring Cross develops technologies and therapeutic candidates that improve the accessibility, affordability, and applicability of advanced medicines like CAR-T therapy and stem cell gene therapy. Vectors used for Caring Cross ATMPs are manufactured by Vector BioMed, a for-profit vector contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), specializing in rapid lentiviral vector manufacturing solutions, to provide the industry with affordable, high-quality GMP lentiviral vectors.
For more information on Caring Cross, visit https://caringcross.org. For more information on Vector BioMed, visit https://vectorbiomed.com.
