Abu Dhabi has inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Biobank, a strategic platform aimed at advancing early disease detection, prevention, and personalized healthcare.
Developed in partnership between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and M42, the initiative supports a shift toward proactive, data-driven healthcare through the integration of biological, genomic, and clinical data.
Located in Masdar City, the net-zero, state-of-the-art facility is equipped to store over 100,000 cord blood samples and up to five million biological samples. This positions it among the region’s most advanced repositories of health data.
Beyond capacity, the platform introduces an integrated model that connects biology, clinical practice, and real-world data at scale, supporting improved patient outcomes and system-wide efficiency.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department.
Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, and Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, alongside representatives from healthcare providers, research institutions, academia, and global industry partners, were also present.
The Abu Dhabi Biobank introduces two key capabilities. The first is a pan-human biobank that links biological samples with longitudinal clinical, genomic, and lifestyle data at scale.
The second is a national eye bank aimed at enhancing local transplantation capabilities and reducing reliance on imported tissue.
Together, these capabilities are expected to strengthen both preventive care and specialized treatment pathways within the UAE’s healthcare system.
Through the platform, residents stand to benefit from earlier detection of disease risks, more precise diagnoses, and treatments tailored to their individual biological profiles. At the same time, the initiative allows individuals to contribute to research efforts that will inform future medical advancements.
Designed as a dynamic, evolving platform, the biobank continuously integrates real-world health data with biological samples to support clinical decision-making, prevention strategies, and scientific research.
Drawing on a diverse population representing over 200 nationalities, it also enhances the relevance of medical insights, ensuring innovations are reflective of real-world demographics.
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi Undersecretary DoH Abu Dhabi
“Healthcare is moving from reacting to disease to anticipating and preventing it. The Abu Dhabi Biobank enables this shift by connecting data, science, and care in a way that directly improves people’s lives. It allows us to detect risks earlier, personalize treatment, and deliver better outcomes for our community, while contributing to global progress in medicine.”
Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, stated that, “The Abu Dhabi Biobank is a critical step in building a health system that is more proactive, precise, and data-driven. By bringing together biological samples, AI, genomics, and real-world data, we are enabling faster insights, better decisions, and ultimately improved outcomes at scale.”
