ABU DHABI, sixth May, 2026 (WAM) — Abu Dhabi Biobank, a strategic initiative between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and M42, introduced a strategic partnership with Human Life CORD Japan Inc. (HLC), to localise the event and scientific utility of umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapies in Abu Dhabi.
This step represents a big milestone in increasing entry to stem cell therapies throughout the UAE and the broader MENA area, additional reinforcing the Emirate’s place as a world chief in superior healthcare, life sciences and precision drugs.
The collaboration brings collectively Abu Dhabi Biobank’s large-scale biobanking, superior capabilities and translational analysis infrastructure with HLC’s proprietary MSC expertise platform and scientific growth experience. The collaboration goals to speed up regionally related, tailored regenerative therapies that deal with precedence well being challenges throughout the UAE and the broader MENA area.
Within the framework of this partnership, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi additional reinforces its dedication to supporting revolutionary analysis and increasing entry to life-saving remedies by enabling the utilisation of public wire blood banking providers provided by the biobank via the donation possibility, whereas overseeing the associated operational actions.
Furthermore, this strategic partnership goals, for the primary time within the UAE, to determine one of many first localised GMP manufacturing and scientific translation pathways for Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (UC-MSC) therapies, supporting end-to-end growth from biospecimen entry to scientific utility, thereby strengthening regional resilience.
Dr. Asma AlMannaei, Executive Director of Health Life Sciences Sector on the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated, “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. This joint initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s shift from reactive healthcare to proactive, prevention led health prioritising innovation and improved quality of life, cementing the Emirates’ position as a leading global destination for healthcare and life sciences.”
Through this partnership, Abu Dhabi Biobank and Human Life CORD will prioritise the event and scientific translation of MSC therapies tailor-made to unmet well being wants within the area, advancing precision-based regenerative therapies that assist efforts to scale back the rising burden of continual, non-communicable illnesses.
Paul Downey, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Biobank, stated, “This partnership is a powerful example of how advanced biobanking infrastructure can be directly connected to therapeutic innovation. Abu Dhabi Biobank provides not only access to high-quality biological materials, but also the data, governance and translational pathways required to move regenerative therapies from research into clinical reality.”
Abu Dhabi Biobank contributes a regionally unparalleled infrastructure, together with entry to public wire blood banking providers, automated cryogenic storage for cord-derived supplies, and built-in scientific, genomic and real-world well being information. Its platform permits sturdy affected person stratification, translational analysis, regulatory engagement and scientific trial facilitation, all inside a nationally ruled framework aligned with worldwide biobanking requirements.
Masamitsu Harata, Founder, President and CEO, Human Life CORD Japan Inc., said, “Human Life CORD was founded on the belief that umbilical cord-derived MSCs can transform the treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases. It brings deep expertise in proprietary UC-MSC isolation, expansion and quality control technologies, alongside a clinically mature regenerative medicine pipeline.”