Photo Credit : WAM
Abu Dhabi Biobank has announced a strategic partnership with Human Life CORD Japan Inc. to localise the development and clinical application of umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapies in the UAE, marking a major step forward for regenerative medicine in the region.
The collaboration, launched in partnership with Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and M42, aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for advanced healthcare, life sciences and precision medicine.
Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Biobank will combine its large-scale biobanking infrastructure and translational research capabilities with Human Life CORD Japan’s proprietary mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) technology and clinical expertise. The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of regenerative therapies tailored to address priority health challenges across the UAE and the wider MENA region.
The initiative will also support the use of public cord blood banking services through donation programmes overseen by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, further expanding access to stem cell-based treatments.
For the first time in the UAE, the partnership seeks to establish one of the country’s first localised Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing and clinical translation pathways for Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (UC-MSC) therapies. The move is expected to support the full development cycle, from biospecimen access and processing to clinical application.
Dr. Asma AlMannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, described the partnership as a major milestone in Abu Dhabi Biobank’s transformation from enabling cord blood donation to driving regenerative medicine innovation across the region.
She said the collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s shift toward proactive and prevention-led healthcare focused on innovation and improved quality of life.
Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, said the partnership demonstrates how advanced biobanking infrastructure can directly support therapeutic innovation by enabling access to high-quality biological materials, clinical data and translational research pathways.
Abu Dhabi Biobank’s infrastructure includes automated cryogenic storage for cord-derived materials, integrated genomic and clinical data systems, and clinical trial facilitation capabilities aligned with international biobanking standards.
Masamitsu Harata, Founder, President and CEO of Human Life CORD Japan Inc., said the company was established with the goal of transforming treatment options for chronic and degenerative diseases through umbilical cord-derived MSC therapies.
The partnership is expected to support the development of precision-based regenerative medicine solutions aimed at reducing the growing burden of chronic and non-communicable diseases across the region.
