Lu Daopei and Investcorp launch CAR-T centre in Turkey

Lu Daopei Medical has joined forces with Florence Nightingale Hospital Group in Turkey to establish what the partners describe as the Middle East and North Africa’s first dedicated CAR-T stem cell therapy centre, targeting severe forms of leukaemia including paediatric cases. The initiative, backed by Investcorp through its China Pre-IPO Healthcare Fund, signals a push to expand advanced cellular immunotherapy beyond traditional hubs in the United States, Europe and East Asia.

The new facility, to be based within Florence Nightingale’s hospital network in Istanbul, will focus on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, commonly known as CAR-T. The treatment involves engineering a patient’s own T cells to recognise and attack cancer cells. It has shown strong remission rates in certain blood cancers, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and some lymphomas, but remains costly and technically demanding.

Lu Daopei Medical, founded by the late Professor Lu Daopei and recognised for its work in haematology and bone marrow transplantation in China, has treated thousands of patients with blood disorders. By aligning with Florence Nightingale Hospital Group, one of Turkey’s established private healthcare providers, the company aims to replicate its clinical model in a region where access to CAR-T has been limited.

Investcorp, the Bahrain-headquartered alternative investment manager with a strong presence in private equity and healthcare, said the partnership reflects a broader strategy of facilitating cross-border healthcare innovation. The Investcorp China Pre-IPO Healthcare Fund acquired a stake in Lu Daopei Medical as part of its effort to back high-growth medical platforms with international expansion potential.

CAR-T therapies have transformed the treatment landscape for certain refractory or relapsed blood cancers over the past decade. Products such as tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel, developed by global pharmaceutical companies, have secured regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions after demonstrating high response rates in patients with limited options. However, uptake in emerging markets has lagged due to infrastructure requirements, regulatory complexity and the need for specialised manufacturing and clinical expertise.

Turkey’s location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa positions it as a potential regional hub for advanced treatments. Healthcare officials in Ankara have sought to strengthen the country’s medical tourism and high-end clinical services, while private hospital groups have invested in oncology and transplant capabilities. Florence Nightingale Hospital Group operates several hospitals in Istanbul and has developed expertise in oncology, organ transplantation and cardiovascular care.

Under the partnership, Lu Daopei Medical is expected to provide technical know-how, clinical protocols and training, while Florence Nightingale will offer local facilities, regulatory navigation and patient access. The centre is designed to treat both adult and paediatric patients suffering from severe leukaemia, including cases that have failed conventional chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.

Industry analysts note that CAR-T therapy requires a tightly coordinated chain of processes, from cell collection and genetic modification to reinfusion and post-treatment monitoring. Adverse effects, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, require experienced multidisciplinary teams. Establishing a dedicated centre may reduce delays and standardise care, though affordability remains a central question.

Treatment costs for CAR-T in Western markets can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds per patient. While pricing structures in Turkey and neighbouring countries have not been disclosed, expanding regional capacity could lower logistical expenses associated with sending patients abroad. For families in the Gulf, North Africa and parts of Central Asia, the availability of such therapy closer to home may ease travel and accommodation burdens.

Paediatric leukaemia has been a particular focus of CAR-T innovation. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer globally, and while survival rates have improved with modern chemotherapy, a subset of patients relapse or become resistant. Clinical studies have demonstrated that CAR-T can induce remission in many of these hard-to-treat cases, though long-term outcomes continue to be studied.

The collaboration also highlights growing links between Asian medical innovators and healthcare providers in the MENA region. Chinese biopharmaceutical firms and specialist hospitals have expanded research and clinical operations overseas as regulatory pathways mature and global demand for advanced therapies rises. Turkey, with its comparatively developed healthcare infrastructure and strategic geography, offers an entry point into neighbouring markets.

Investcorp’s involvement underscores the role of private capital in scaling complex medical technologies. The firm has previously invested in healthcare assets across Europe, North America and Asia, seeking to bridge clinical innovation with commercial growth. By supporting Lu Daopei Medical’s international expansion, Investcorp is positioning itself at the intersection of oncology, biotechnology and emerging-market healthcare demand.