Chinese hamster ovary cells in medicines
This resource explains the use of Chinese hamster ovary cells in medicines and outlines the Islamic rulings on its permissibility.
What are Chinese hamster ovary cells and how are they used in medicines?
- CHO cells are derived from the epithelial cell line of the ovaries of the Chinese hamster, a small rodent native to China and Mongolia.1
- Due to their similarity to the human cell system, CHO cells are used to make proteins in medicines such as vaccines and biologics. Biologics are used to treat severe inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disease and some cancers.2
- CHO cells are not used as an ingredient or excipient (so is not found in the final medicine product) but they are used in the production of biologics and vaccines.
For more detailed scientific information regarding CHO cells, click the button below.
🕌 Islamic ruling on CHO cells
| Source | Ruling (Hanafi,Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali) |
|---|---|
| Chinese hamster ovary cells | ❌Haram to consume* |
CHO cells are derived from the Chinese hamster, which is a rodent, and therefore haram to consume according to all four schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali). Even though the CHO cells are filtered and removed in later stages of the medicine production process, there has still been cross-contamination with the legally impure (najis) source regardless of filtration.3
*It is important to highlight that many of the medications containing CHO cells lack readily available, equally or more effective halal alternatives. Consequently, in most instances, their use would likely be considered permissible.
If you are unsure about taking or using medicines containing ingredients and/or excipients from haram sources, seek guidance from a practising Muslim HCP such as a pharmacist or doctor. Alternatively, consult your local Imam or a trusted Islamic scholar, ideally one who has knowledge and expertise in the fiqh (Islamic rulings) of medicine.
For a more detailed explanation regarding the reasons behind these rulings, click the button below.
💭Did you know?
Even if a medicine contains an ingredient/excipient from a haram source or is produced using a haram derivative, it may still be permitted in certain cases. Here are three Islamic maxims (principles):
- Medical necessity (daruah): Under this principle, if there is a medical necessity, such as an emergency situation, or where there is a strong chance the individual’s health will deteriorate, and if no viable halal alternative is available, then it is permitted to take a medicine produced using a haram derivative (in this case, CHO cells), until a viable halal alternative becomes available.
- An impermissible medicine becomes permissible if five conditions are fully met (click here to learn what the five conditions are).
- Hardship begets facility (al-mashaqqa tajlib at-taysir): Under this principle, if applying religious practice becomes too burdensome or creates hardship, then leniency can be applied to ease it (Click here to read more). If you have tried your best to seek an alternative halal medicine and it becomes too difficult for you, this principle allows you to take/use the medicine you have been prescribed/supplied.
⚠️ Important information for patients
- Always take or use your medicine(s) exactly as directed or prescribed by your healthcare professional (HCP), such as your doctor or pharmacist
- Do not stop, delay, change or alter the way you take or use your medicine(s) without first discussing it with the HCP who prescribed or supplied it to you
- Always consult your HCP if you have any questions or before making any decisions about your treatment
- For Islamic guidance, seek advice from your local Imam or a trusted Islamic scholar – ideally someone with relevant knowledge and expertise in the fiqh (Islamic rulings) of medicines
- Use the information gathered to make an informed decision together with your HCP and, if needed, your local Imam or trusted Islamic scholar.
Click to view examples of common biologic medicines that are derived from CHO cells:
These medicines are usually specialist medicines initiated by specialists. Please note, this list is not exhaustive, and does not include vaccines. 4
| Drug Name | What the drug is used to treat |
|---|---|
| Avelumab | used to treat a variety of cancers |
| Nivolumab | |
| Pembrolizumab | |
| Abatacept | various forms of arthritis |
| Adalimumab | usually used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, uveitis, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa |
| Aflibercept | various disorders of the eyes |
| Agalsidase beta | Fabry disease |
| Darbepoetin alfa | anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease |
| Epoetin alfa | anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy or in those undergoing surgery |
| Etanercept | usually used to treat rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis |
| Follitropin alfa | used to treat infertility in women |
| Interferon beta-1a | multiple sclerosis |
| Laronidase | used to treat a genetic disorder called Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) |
| Omalizumab | used to treat severe allergies, allergic eczema, and certain types of urticaria |
| Tenecteplase | treats conditions caused by blood clots |
| Thyrotropin alfa | used to treat thyroid cancer |
FAQs
Disclaimer
- This resource is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute clinical, medical, or professional healthcare advice and should not replace individual clinical judgement or qualified religious guidance
- Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional regarding your own medical conditions or for advice on treatment options
- Healthcare professionals remain fully responsible and accountable for decisions made within their own scope of practice.
References and further resources
- Evitria CHO cells – 7 facts about the cell line derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster. Accessed 14.3.2025 from: https://www.evitria.com/journal/cho-cells/cho-cells/#:~:text=As%20the%20name%20suggests%2C%20Chinese,toxicity%20assays%20and%20gene%20expression. ↩︎
- Luther, E. (2025) Biological treatments, DermNet®. Available at: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/biologics (Accessed: 10 June 2025) ↩︎
- Islamic use of Hamster Ovary by Shaykh Dr Rafaqat Rashid ↩︎
4. British National Formulary (BNF). Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/
