Abu Dhabi, UAE : Abu Dhabi Biobank, a strategic joint initiative between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s healthcare regulator, and M42 Group, a leading global healthcare company, announced a strategic agreement with Human Life CORD Japan Inc. ( HLC ) to localize the development and application of umbilical cord blood stem cell therapies in Abu Dhabi. This move represents a significant step forward in enhancing access to stem cell treatments across the UAE and the MENA region, further solidifying the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for advanced healthcare, life sciences, and precision medicine.

This collaboration combines the Abu Dhabi Biobank's extensive biobanking infrastructure, advanced capabilities, and clinical application research with Human Lifecord's MSC Technologies platform, which is advanced in clinical development. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of regenerative therapies tailored to the region's needs, contributing to addressing priority health challenges in the UAE and the MENA region.

Within the framework of this partnership, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi plays a prominent role in supporting innovative research and expanding access to life-saving treatments by enabling the use of public umbilical cord blood storage services provided by the bank through the donation option, in addition to supervising the related operational processes.

Through this strategic collaboration, one of the first local manufacturing pathways for these therapies will be established in the UAE, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and clinical application standards for mesenchymal stem cell therapies derived from umbilical cord blood. This will support the integrated development chain, from the availability of biological samples to clinical application, thereby enhancing regional resilience in this vital field.

Treatments derived from umbilical cord blood are gaining increasing acceptance due to their immune-supporting, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and tissue-repairing properties, giving them promising therapeutic potential in conditions such as diabetes and its long-term complications, musculoskeletal degeneration, and age-related fragility, where traditional treatments are often limited to managing symptoms rather than restoring vital functions.

In this regard, Dr. Asma Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Health and Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “This partnership represents a pivotal milestone in the development of Abu Dhabi Biobank, as it moves from enabling umbilical cord blood donation to shaping the future of regenerative medicine in the UAE and the MENA region. The Department of Health, along with its partners, is working to accelerate research into tailored therapies, while building a unique global biostorage center that provides valuable data to elevate health outcomes to new heights. This joint initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s shift from a reactive healthcare model to a proactive, prevention-based model that prioritizes innovation and improving quality of life, thus solidifying the emirate’s position as a leading global destination for healthcare and life sciences.”

Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi Biobank and Human Lifecord will prioritize the development and clinical translation of mesenchymal stem cell therapies to meet the urgent health needs of the region, by promoting regenerative therapies based on the principles of precision medicine, supporting efforts to reduce the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Paul Downie, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, said: “This partnership is a powerful example of how advanced biobank infrastructure can be directly linked to therapeutic innovation. Abu Dhabi Biobank not only provides access to high-quality biological materials, but also the data, governance, and application pathways required to move regenerative therapies from research to clinical practice. In collaboration with Human Lifecord, we are building a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that combines advanced science to address the significant burden of disease in our region, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for regenerative medicine research and innovation .”

The Abu Dhabi Biobank provides unparalleled infrastructure in the region, including access to public cord blood storage services, automated cryopreservation of cord blood samples, and integrated real-world clinical and genomic health data. The bank's platform enables accurate patient profiling, clinical application research, regulatory engagement, and the facilitation of clinical trials, all within a national governance framework aligned with international biobanking standards .

Masamitsu Harata, founder, president and CEO of Human Lifecord Japan, said: “Our company was founded on the conviction that MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood have the potential to transform the treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases. The company has deep expertise in proprietary technologies for isolating, expanding and quality-controlling UC-MSC cells, along with a clinically advanced regenerative medicine development pathway. The partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank allows us to localize the therapeutics industry based on disease prevalence in the region and real-world data, design and implement clinical programs, and bring scientifically proven MSC therapies closer to patients .”

It is worth noting that Human Lifecord has advanced several MSC- based therapeutic programs through the intermediate to advanced stages of clinical development in Japan, placing it among the pioneers of innovation in umbilical cord-derived cell therapies .

This alliance comes as part of broader efforts to advance life sciences and advanced medical research within the UAE, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global hub for innovation and innovative healthcare solutions, while enhancing international cooperation between the UAE and Japan in high-impact scientific fields .

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About Abu Dhabi Biobank :

The Abu Dhabi Biobank was launched as part of a strategic partnership between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the M42 Group to establish the region’s largest multi-biotype umbilical cord blood bank, in addition to a state-of-the-art comprehensive human sample bank . The Abu Dhabi Biobank’s concept focuses on promoting community health and expanding healthcare options and access, stemming from a firm commitment to public health . According to the bank’s approach, preserving human biological samples is the cornerstone of advancing medical science and improving quality of life. Through the Biobank’s specialized services, we ensure that biological samples are preserved according to the highest standards of quality and safety, enabling their future use in treatment and scientific research. The Abu Dhabi Biobank is a key pillar of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s life sciences strategy, providing advanced infrastructure for medical innovation and contributing to the Emirate’s position as a global hub for biomedical research, precision medicine, and preventive medicine .

About the M42 Collection

M42 is a leading global AI-enhanced healthcare technology and genomics company, aiming to drive innovation in the healthcare sector to serve humanity. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, M42 combines its specialized and advanced facilities with integrated healthcare solutions such as genomics and biomedical storage, employing cutting-edge technologies to deliver precise, preventative, and predictive healthcare, fundamentally transforming traditional healthcare models and positively impacting the lives of people worldwide .

M42 was established in 2023 following the merger of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Healthcare. It comprises more than 480 medical facilities across 26 countries, employing over 20,000 people. M42 's healthcare facilities include Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Danat Al Emarat, Diaverum, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Hospital, and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi. M42 also manages the UAE Genome Programme, Abu Dhabi Biobank, and Abu Dhabi Health Data Services. It is a global, technology-driven healthcare company that operates the Malaffi health information exchange platform.

For more information, please visit https://m42.ae/

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