Abu Dhabi Biobank has partnered with Human Life CORD Japan Inc (HLC) to localize the development and clinical application of umbilical cord–derived stem cell therapies in the UAE, marking a step toward expanding access to regenerative treatments across the country and wider MENA region.
The initiative brings together Abu Dhabi Biobank’s large-scale biobanking infrastructure and translational research capabilities with HLC’s proprietary mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) technology platform and clinical development expertise. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of regionally tailored regenerative therapies targeting priority health challenges.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), a strategic partner in Abu Dhabi Biobank alongside M42, will support the initiative by enabling the use of public cord blood banking services through donation programs and overseeing related operations, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and access to advanced treatments.
For the first time in the UAE, the partnership seeks to establish a localized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing and clinical translation pathway for Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (UC-MSC) therapies. This includes end-to-end development, from biospecimen access to clinical application, aimed at strengthening regional healthcare resilience.
Umbilical cord–derived therapies are increasingly recognized for their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and tissue-repair properties. They show potential in treating conditions such as diabetes and its complications, musculoskeletal degeneration, and age-related frailty, where existing treatments largely focus on symptom management.
The collaboration will prioritize the development and clinical translation of MSC therapies designed to address unmet medical needs in the region, supporting efforts to reduce the burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases.
Dr Asma AlMannaei Executive Director of Health Life Sciences Sector Abu Dhabi DoH
“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. DoH, alongside our esteemed partners, are accelerating research into tailored therapies while building a unique global biobanking hub that delivers invaluable data assets for maximal health impact. This joint initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s shift from reactive healthcare to proactive, prevention-led health, prioritising innovation and improved quality of life, and cementing the emirates’ position as a leading global destination for healthcare and life sciences.”
Paul Downey, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Biobank, stated that, “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. Together with Human Life CORD, we are building a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that aligns advanced science to address the significant disease burden of our region, establishing Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for regenerative medicine research and manufacturing.”
Abu Dhabi Biobank provides advanced research infrastructure
Abu Dhabi Biobank provides infrastructure including public cord blood banking services, automated cryogenic storage for cord-derived materials, and integrated clinical, genomic and real-world health data. Its platform supports patient stratification, translational research, regulatory processes and clinical trials within a nationally governed framework aligned with international standards.
Image credits: Abu Dhabi Biobank | Cropped by GBN
Masamitsu Harata, Founder, President and CEO, Human Life CORD Japan Inc, said that, “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. Partnering with Abu Dhabi Biobank allows us to localise manufacturing informed by regional disease prevalence and real-world data, design and execute clinical programs, and bring scientifically validated MSC therapies closer to patients.”
Human Life CORD has advanced several MSC-based therapies through mid- to late-stage clinical development in Japan, positioning it among leading developers in umbilical cord–derived cell therapy. The partnership forms part of broader efforts to strengthen life sciences and advanced medical research in the UAE, supporting Abu Dhabi’s strategy to position itself as a global hub for healthcare innovation and deepening scientific collaboration between the UAE and Japan.
