Sidra Medicine Treats 10th Patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

10 year-old boy from Egypt receives life-saving specialized gene therapy

Doha, Qatar — 31 March 2026 — Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has provided specialized treatment to a child from Egypt diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

The treatment protocol, part of Sidra Medicine’s gene therapy center, brings together specialized expertise and multidisciplinary care to support children with complex genetic conditions. The comprehensive DMD gene therapy program involves specialist care across genetics, neurology, cardiology and rehabilitation services.

Professor Tawfeg Ben-Omran, Division Chief of Genetics and Genomic Medicine at Sidra Medicine, said: “Since announcing the extension of the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy gene therapy program for older children, we have treated 10 patients to date and continue to attract patients from around the region. Our growing experience reflects the strength of our specialized program and our reputation as a trusted healthcare partner. This also reflects our ability to safely deliver complex therapies through a structured clinical pathway supported by multidisciplinary care.”

Aly, a 10-year-old boy, arrived from Egypt with his parents in December 2025 for DMD treatment. Following several weeks of clinical evaluation and eligibility assessment, Aly was administered the gene therapy infusion on 1 March 2026 under the supervision of the hospital’s specialized Gene Therapy Team.

Aly’s parents said: “Following a long and difficult journey to reach an accurate diagnosis, Aly was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of three. The journey deeply impacted our family until we were able to bring him to Qatar for treatment. We are grateful to Sidra Medicine and the State of Qatar for the exceptional care and support provided to our son. It has given us renewed hope and confidence as we continue his treatment journey and celebrate his health milestones.”

Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: “Sidra Medicine remains committed to ensuring continuity of care for children with complex and rare conditions, even during challenging circumstances. Aly’s treatment also highlights Sidra Medicine’s role as a regional referral center for children with rare and complex conditions, with families traveling from across the Middle East and North Africa to Qatar. Despite the current geopolitical situation, we are unwavering in our diligence to provide safe and timely access to innovative therapies and comprehensive care to all our patients. We are grateful to all our healthcare partners, the Ministry of Public Health and the government of Qatar for ensuring all healthcare services continue to be up to the highest standards of care.”

After receiving the therapy, Aly entered a structured post-infusion monitoring protocol designed to ensure safety and support his recovery. The follow-up program includes regular outpatient visits, laboratory monitoring and cardiology assessments.  Aly will also undergo regular physiotherapy evaluations to monitor mobility and functional progress before being discharged and ready to fly back home to Egypt.

Aly’s treatment program highlights the positive clinical outcomes of gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients at Sidra Medicine. For more information about Sidra Medicine’s genetic and genomic medicine services please visit www.sidra.org.

For international patients, please contact: International.Services@sidra.org