Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre (ADSCC) and Burjeel Holdings have announced a strategic partnership to expand bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy services at Burjeel Holdings’ flagship facility, Burjeel Medical City (BMC).
This collaboration aims to enhance access to advanced care for adult and pediatric patients with blood cancer, genetic diseases, autoimmune diseases and others. This strategic step will pave the way for a comprehensive and integrated ecosystem for advanced research and cellular therapy, and enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a global healthcare destination.
As part of the collaboration, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center will expand through the launch of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant (AD-BMT©) program at Burjeel Medical City. Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center has been accredited by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi as a Center of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, adhering to global best practices based on scientific evidence. It is the first in the UAE and one of only two centers in the Middle East to be recognized by the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies (FACT), the leading accreditation organization for cell therapy programs worldwide.
ADSCC is the first institution to launch bone marrow transplants for adults in the UAE through the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program in 2020, and the first institution to perform the first bone marrow transplant in the Middle East for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis in 2022. In addition, ADSCC manufactured the first genetically modified immune cell therapy known as CAR-T in the UAE and the Middle East in 2023. In 2024, ADSCC achieved a milestone by performing over 120 bone marrow transplants and 15 CART treatments. Within the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT©), several clinical trials were conducted, including a trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of photoimmunotherapy for multiple sclerosis, which showed promising results in its initial report, with over 15 participants and over 250 treatment sessions.
Burjeel Oncology Institute, based in Burjeel Medical City, leads the group’s bone marrow transplant programme. The institute is a pioneer in bone marrow transplants, including the UAE’s first pediatric bone marrow transplant in 2022. To date, the facility has completed 142 pediatric and adult bone marrow transplants. Burjeel Oncology Institute is one of the largest integrated cancer care networks in the country, with facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Sharjah and Dubai.
Both institutions have extensive capabilities in bone marrow transplantation/hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular therapy, and management of various benign blood disorders in adult and pediatric patients, including thalassemia, rare genetic disorders, and sickle cell disease.
Integrated ecosystem
Under the collaboration, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre will work with Burjeel Medical City to increase access to these advanced services for patients in the UAE and across the region. The expertise of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplantation Program (AD-BMT©) and the shared vision of both institutions will help establish Abu Dhabi as a global hub for medical excellence and innovation, and both new and existing patients at Burjeel Medical City and Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre will benefit from this partnership.
The partnership also focuses on leveraging regenerative medicine services, with Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre pioneering advanced treatments for orthopedic, neurological, rheumatic, autoimmune and burn conditions through the use of stem cells and advanced cellular therapies, and Burjeel Medical City will integrate these services into its facility to enhance patient care.
“Our vision is to create a world-class, comprehensive bone marrow transplant program that provides the highest standards of care while also pushing the boundaries of innovation,” said John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings. “This partnership is a major step forward in achieving this goal, together, setting new standards in patient outcomes and medical excellence.”
“Under the guidance of the UAE’s wise leadership, ADSCC was the first to launch bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy in the UAE in 2020, providing advanced and innovative care regionally and conducting high-profile research and clinical trials in this field. As demand has grown, ADSCC has expanded to offer CAR-T cell therapies, providing more advanced treatment options for patients. Today, we are pleased to see these services expanded at Burjeel Medical City in collaboration with Burjeel Holdings. As one of the few centres in the region to offer this level of advanced care, we aim to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for advanced care and set new standards in cellular therapies with positive clinical outcomes,” said Professor Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC and Associate Professor at UAEU.
“This collaboration represents a transformative moment for bone marrow transplantation in Abu Dhabi,” said Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program at ADSCC. “By combining the advanced research and medical capabilities of ADSCC with the robust infrastructure and expertise of Burjeel Medical City, we are not only enhancing the standards of care for our patients but also contributing to Abu Dhabi’s efforts as a global hub for life sciences.”
“This partnership represents a critical advance in our ability to deliver comprehensive, advanced care to patients with complex conditions,” added Professor Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of Burjeel Oncology Institute. “By combining the expertise of both institutions, we are creating a continuum of patient care and advancing research and clinical practice that will shape the future of regenerative medicine and hematology in the region.”
Burjeel Medical City is home to Oncohelix Colab, the UAE’s first facility with comprehensive capabilities in molecular and cellular immunology and transplant diagnostics. Through Oncohelix Colab, Burjeel Oncology Institute benefits from advanced diagnostic capabilities for bone marrow transplantation, allowing for localised testing and leveraging technologies such as next generation sequencing (NGS).
This strategic collaboration between industry leaders is expected to significantly enhance the bone marrow transplant landscape in the UAE and the region, providing hope and advanced treatment options for patients with complex conditions.
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