Porton Advanced Solutions, a US-based global cell and gene therapy CDMO service provider, and EVA Pharma, an Egypt-based pharmaceutical company, announced on Thursday the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on establishing and strengthening CAR T-cell therapy development and manufacturing capabilities at EVA Pharma's facilities.

Under the MOU, the partners will prioritise the development and large-scale manufacturing of high-quality lentiviral vectors, a critical component in CAR T-cell therapies for leukaemia and other blood cancers. Porton Advanced says that it will leverage its expertise in viral vector and CAR-T cell therapy process development and manufacturing to support EVA Pharma's efforts to deliver safe, effective and scalable treatments.

This collaboration brings together Porton Advanced's expertise in viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing with EVA Pharma's growing footprint in high-tech biopharmaceuticals, and its established regional infrastructure across the Middle East and Africa. This is intended to support technology transfer and local production capabilities for innovative cancer therapies while ensuring the highest quality standards.

The companies say that this agreement aligns with global efforts to expand access to advanced immunotherapies, particularly in markets with limited cell and gene therapy infrastructure. By establishing localised production hubs in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the partnership aims to reduce costs, shorten treatment timelines and set new standards for oncology care in the MEA region.