Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital and IASO Bio Enter Strategic Collaboration to Advance Global CAR-T Therapy Platform

ShanghaiSeptember 25, 2023PR Newswire -- On September 24, 2023, Dr. Naiqiang Xiang, CEO of Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, and Hua Zhang, Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of IASO Bio, signed a strategic cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Previously, Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital and IASO Bio had already established a strong cooperative relationship in areas such as CAR-T clinical training and academic exchanges. As the project progresses, both parties will comprehensively launch an in-depth strategic partnership to jointly advance the full implementation of the CAR-T international diagnosis and treatment platform.

Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital and IASO Bio Strategic Cooperation Signing Group Photo

At the signing ceremony,Jiahui Healthcare CEO Ge FengThe speaker stated: "Jiahui Healthcare has always adhered to the high-quality practice of international medical care in China, consistently focusing on introducing internationally synchronized and leading treatment drugs and methods. CAR-T therapy is also an opportunity for Jiahui, as a pilot institution for Shanghai's international medical tourism, to diversify its support for Shanghai’s development into an Asian medical center. We are highly anticipating collaborating with industry partners like IASO Bio to jointly expand international service capabilities and influence. There may even be clinical research collaborations in the near future to accelerate the availability of internationally advanced drugs."

Speech by Mr. Ge Feng, CEO of Jiahui Healthcare

Zhang Hua, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of IASO BioHe also expressed expectations for the long-term strategic cooperation between the two parties: "Leveraging the strategy of Healthy China and the Belt and Road Initiative, IASO Bio is building a medical center in China to serve the world, showcasing China's innovative technology and medical strength. This collaboration marks an important step for IASO Bio’s new CAR-T product to be implemented in international hospitals. We hope that through our strategic cooperation with Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, we can help myeloma patients in China and even globally benefit from BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy."

CAR-T Therapy Benefits More Myeloma Patients at Jiahui

On June 30, 2023, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved the listing of the BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy — Idecabtagene Vicleucel Injection for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). According to IASO Bio, this is the first BCMA CAR-T therapy approved in China and also the world’s first fully human BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy.

"CAR-T is a major breakthrough in personalized cellular immunotherapy for human cancer. Currently, the indications approved for CAR-T in China are large B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease characterized by the clonal proliferation of abnormal plasma cells and belongs to hematologic malignancies. Although there are treatment options such as chemotherapy, transplantation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, the efficacy of traditional treatments is limited, and most patients with multiple myeloma will eventually face the challenge of recurrence. However, CAR-T therapy, with its advantages of high specificity, strong killing ability, and long-lasting efficacy, brings new hope to patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma."Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center and Director of Medical Oncology, Dr. Hua LiVicky H. Lee, and share with everyone.

In addition, Director Li Hua also mentioned: "It is worth noting that the clinical treatment of CAR-T is challenging. Whether it is the high-quality collection of T cells or the timely and effective management of cytokine release syndrome (CRS, also known as a cytokine storm) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) after cell reinfusion, these factors can impact the treatment benefits and safety for patients. Currently, Jiahui International Cancer Center has completed multiple CAR-T training certifications. We have established and continuously improved in areas such as the construction of a CAR-T treatment team, cost coverage, clinical treatment management, and hardware and software support. We are both capable and confident in using advanced therapies like CAR-T to help more myeloma patients benefit."

Dr. Hua Li, Director of Jiahui International Cancer Center and Chief of Medical Oncology, spoke.

Strategic Cooperation, Deepening ProgressCAR-T International Diagnosis and Treatment Platform

Since the approval and market launch of CAR-T therapy in China, Jiahui International Cancer Center has collaborated with domestic and international partners to actively build an international CAR-T diagnosis and treatment platform in areas such as sharing clinical experience, exchanging academic progress, and educating on hematological tumors.

At the same time, the CAR-T multidisciplinary treatment team led by Dr. Hua Li from Jiahui International Cancer Center has kept pace with international advanced standards. They have carried out a series of explorations in the clinical practice of new concepts and technologies, aiming to bring more new cure opportunities to patients with hematological tumors. In September 2023, the first CAR-T therapy patient (foreign) at Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital was successfully discharged three weeks after the infusion of CAR-T cells. The efficacy assessed by PET-CT was "Complete Remission (CR)," marking the patient's first CR since being diagnosed with hematological cancer in 2022. This further demonstrates the comprehensive strength of Jiahui International Cancer Center in the field of international medical care.

Through the strategic cooperation between Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital and IASO Bio, both parties will also integrate their respective advantages in business development and technology platforms. Based on cell immunotherapy centered on CAR-T technology, they will closely collaborate to establish a cell immunotherapy center that meets international standards. Together, they will explore new models around CAR-T, such as insurance payment and accessibility methods, further advancing the long-term sustainable development of the CAR-T international treatment platform. This collaboration aims to benefit more cancer patients both in and outside of China with innovative international therapies.