Abu Dhabi Partners with Japan on Stem Cell Breakthrough

Abu Dhabi just took a major step toward making cutting-edge regenerative medicine available to millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa.

Abu Dhabi Biobank, a joint initiative between the Department of Health and global health leader M42, announced a partnership with Human Life CORD Japan to develop stem cell therapies right in the UAE. For the first time in the country, umbilical cord stem cells will be manufactured locally and used in clinical treatments.

The collaboration brings together Abu Dhabi's advanced biobanking infrastructure with Japan's proven stem cell technology. Together, they'll create therapies specifically designed for health challenges common in the region.

Umbilical cord stem cells show remarkable promise for conditions where traditional medicine only manages symptoms rather than fixing the problem. These cells have anti-inflammatory and tissue-repair properties that could help treat diabetes complications, joint degeneration, and age-related frailty.

Dr. Asma AlMannaei, Executive Director of Health Life Sciences at the Department of Health, explained the bigger picture. "This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in Abu Dhabi Biobank's evolution, from enabling cord blood donation to shaping regenerative medicine across the UAE and MENA region," she said.

The partnership will use donated umbilical cords from Abu Dhabi Biobank's public cord blood banking service. These donations, which would otherwise be discarded after birth, become the foundation for potentially life-changing treatments.

Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, highlighted what makes this collaboration unique. "We are building a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that aligns advanced science to address the significant disease burden of our region," he said.

Human Life CORD brings extensive experience in isolating and developing mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords. The company has already advanced multiple stem cell therapy programs through clinical trials.

Masamitsu Harata, founder and CEO of Human Life CORD Japan, sees the partnership as a way to bring validated therapies closer to patients. The collaboration will localize manufacturing based on regional disease patterns and real-world health data from the UAE population.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership positions Abu Dhabi as a regenerative medicine hub for an entire region of over 400 million people. By building local manufacturing capabilities, the UAE is creating healthcare resilience and reducing dependence on importing advanced therapies from other parts of the world.

The collaboration also represents a shift from reactive to preventive healthcare. Rather than just treating symptoms of chronic diseases, these stem cell therapies aim to restore function and improve quality of life.

For parents who choose to donate their baby's umbilical cord, knowing those donations could lead to breakthrough treatments for diabetes or joint disease adds meaningful purpose to an otherwise routine birth experience.

Abu Dhabi is building a future where advanced regenerative medicine isn't just available to a few, but accessible to millions across the Middle East.