The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) signed a five-year partnership with the Bladder Cancer Research Centre at the University of Birmingham(BCRC) to collaborate in transforming the diagnosis and monitoring of bladder cancer.
This partnership unites the expertise of KFSHRC’s Urology Department with BCRC’s research capabilities to advance non-invasive diagnostic tools using advanced liquid biopsy technology. This project aims to bring cutting-edge molecular diagnostics to Saudi Arabia using a 23-gene panel to detect key genetic variations.
Prof. Waleed Altaweel, Chairman of the Urology Department at KFSHRC and the Principal Investigator, commented: “Partnering with BCRC allows us to introduce innovative diagnostic methods that ease the burden on patients while improving healthcare outcomes. This collaboration supports our priorities by bridging geographic and technological divides and advancing cancer diagnostics across a diverse population”.
Beyond diagnostic innovation, this partnership is a knowledge exchange platform, enabling Saudi and UK research communities to collaborate closely, sharing methodologies, insights, and technological advancements in genomic diagnostics.
Prof. Mohamed Alotaibi, a Co-Principal Investigator, highlighted, “This collaborative approach aligns with global healthcare goals, enhancing expertise and building capacity to tackle complex health challenges”.
Underpinning this partnership is a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) that ensures secure, ethical exchanges of anonymised patient samples, enabling advanced genomic testing while maintaining strict data privacy. Dr. Raouf Seyam, Project facilitator, stated, “This collaboration offers an unprecedented opportunity to expand our research by incorporating diverse genetic data, ultimately contributing to globally relevant cancer care solutions. KFSHRC and BCRC are set to transform bladder cancer care by establishing new, accessible standards for patient-centred, non-invasive diagnostics”.
It is important to note that for the second year in a row, KFSHRC ranked as the leading academic medical centre in the Middle East and Africa and took the 20th spot in the prestigious list of world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres. The hospital was also recognized as the most valuable brand in health care in Saudi Arabia and also within the larger Middle East region according to rankings by Brand Finance 2024.
