AGU starts clinical research on SCD

Manama

The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) launched a clinical research for patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to explore a new drug. The testing will be held in the coming months in Netherlands, Turkey, Bahrain and Lebanon, along with Swedish scientific research university Karolinska Institutet, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).

The project launch was attended by Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi and a number of doctors and consultants from the Health Ministry. Professor and doctor specialized in genetic diseases from a university hospital in Amsterdam, NHRA CEO Dr. Bahaa Fateha also took part in it. 

AGU Clinical Research Centre Director, Dr. Adel Mathkoor explained this project aims to study the sickle cell disease, which has no conclusive cure except painkillers.

The development comes after researchers from the Karolinska Institutet along with Dutch and US doctors developed a drug that prevents microvascular obstructions caused by abnormal blood cells in SCD patients, which in turn leads to their deaths. 

The project’s scientific results are expected by the end of 2016. The new drug would reduce healing time and treatment doses for the patients.

As AGU partners with Salmaniya Medical Complex, further tests and experiments will be done with the medication for positive results, which will then be sent to the European Commission for Public Health and the Food and Drugs Administration for approval and market release.