Sidra Medicine appointed as lead treatment center in MENA to administer life-saving SMA drug for babies – The Peninsula

Sidra Medicine appointed as lead treatment center in MENA to administer life-saving SMA drug for babies – The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: The Genetics and Genomic division at Sidra Medicine has launched several programs to offer life-saving genetic treatment and therapies for patients of all ages. The programs provide comprehensive genetic services including clinical evaluation and risk assessment; genetic counselling; diagnosis and the advanced management for a variety of genetic disorders.

Dr. Tawfeg Ben-Omran, the Division Chief of Genetics and Genomic Medicine at Sidra Medicine said: “Genomic and genetic medicine is the critical bind that connects patients with genetic conditions to access therapies and resources that are personalized to treat their condition. It plays an important role in determining the risks of developing certain genetic diseases as well as screening and treatment. Our collaborative and multidisciplinary work entails the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research in genetic and genomic medicine with respect to precision medicine.”

One of the key gene therapy programs established at Sidra Medicine, in partnership with the pediatric Neurology Division, is the treatment of children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is a neuromuscular disorder and a common fatal inherited disease resulting from a genetic mutation. If not treated in time, it can lead to severe morbidity and early death.

Children with SMA are cared for by a multidisciplinary team featuring