Autologous iPSC-based therapies are often costly and time-consuming. Allogeneic iPS-based cell therapy constitute a promising approach. In this initiative, we analyzed high-resolution HLA data from over 65,000 Saudi donors who registered as potential donors in the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry (SSCDR) to identify the most common haplotypes. Our analysis showed that only 13 carefully selected iPSC lines could match 30% of the Saudi population, and 39 lines could provide coverage for 50%. 

We are now building a national haplobank of HLA-matched iPSCs to cover more than 30% of the Saudi population, as an initial stage. To achieve broader coverage, we are using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to engineer a hypoimmunogenic iPSC line, leveraging the HLA homozygosity of one of our existing iPSC lines. This will enable the development of off-the-shelf stem cell therapies that are accessible to all patients in need, helping to advance regenerative medicine across Saudi Arabia and beyond.