Human Life Code Agrees to Strategic Partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank
Human Life Code Co., Ltd. has entered into a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank, a national strategic project by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and global healthcare leader M42. This collaboration aims to localize the manufacturing, development, and clinical application of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 10:31
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Human Life Code Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Masamichi Harada, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "the Company"), which aims to be a global pioneer in the practical application and widespread adoption of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hereinafter "UC-MSCs") as regenerative medicine products, has agreed to formalize a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank (Representative: Paul Downey, located in Abu Dhabi, hereinafter "ADBB"), a national strategic project by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and global healthcare leader M42. This partnership aims to localize the manufacturing, development, and clinical application of UC-MSCs in the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
This agreement concretizes the basic agreement (MOU) signed in March 2026 and represents a significant milestone that will contribute to enhancing the UAE's international standing in advanced medicine, life sciences, and precision medicine through the development and dissemination of cell therapy, while also promoting expanded access to cell therapy across the UAE and MENA region.
Through the collaboration of both parties, ADBB's large-scale biobank and advanced translational research infrastructure will be combined with the Company's unique technological foundation for UC-MSCs manufacturing and quality control, as well as insights gained from clinical and non-clinical trials. This aims to solve urgent medical challenges faced by the entire UAE and MENA region, accelerating the development and practical application of personalized regenerative medicine tailored to regional medical needs.
Under this partnership, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi will play a role in enabling the utilization of biological resources through the public cord blood banking services provided by ADBB and managing its operations.
Furthermore, this strategic alliance aims to establish a framework for the first domestic GMP manufacturing of UC-MSCs in the UAE, leading to the clinical practical application of cell therapy. It will support an integrated development and manufacturing system from securing and utilizing biological samples to clinical application, thereby strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the region.
UC-MSCs are expected to be a new treatment option for diseases such as diabetes and its long-term complications, musculoskeletal disorders, and age-related sarcopenia, which have traditionally been managed symptomatically. Their characteristics include immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and tissue repair effects, aiming for functional recovery.
Dr. Asma AlMannaei, Executive Director of the Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated:
"This partnership agreement marks a crucial turning point for Abu Dhabi Biobank, evolving from initiatives starting with cord donation to the implementation of regenerative medicine in the UAE and MENA region. Together with trusted partners, we are accelerating personalized medicine research while building a unique global biobank hub to provide valuable data assets that will have the maximum impact on people's health.
This initiative promotes a shift from treatment-centric to prevention-focused healthcare, establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub in the medical and life sciences fields through innovation and improved quality of life.
Through this alliance, Abu Dhabi Biobank and Human Life Code will prioritize the development and clinical application of MSC therapies tailored to the region's unmet health needs. This will drive the development of preemptive medicine utilizing UC-MSCs to help alleviate the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases."
Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, stated:
"This partnership agreement is a prime example of how advanced biobanking infrastructure directly links to innovation in cell therapy. Abu Dhabi Biobank provides access to high-quality biological samples, along with systems for data, governance, and bridging research outcomes to clinical practice.
In collaboration with Human Life Code, we will build a new ecosystem that brings together cutting-edge science to address regional disease challenges and develop Abu Dhabi as a research, development, and manufacturing hub for regenerative medicine."
Masamichi Harada, President & CEO of Human Life Code Co., Ltd., stated:
"Human Life Code was established with the belief that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells can ultimately transform the treatment paradigm for chronic and degenerative diseases. To lead innovation in the field of umbilical cord-derived cell therapy, our unique technology for isolating, culturing, and quality controlling UC-MSCs
This agreement concretizes the basic agreement (MOU) signed in March 2026 and represents a significant milestone that will contribute to enhancing the UAE's international standing in advanced medicine, life sciences, and precision medicine through the development and dissemination of cell therapy, while also promoting expanded access to cell therapy across the UAE and MENA region.
Through the collaboration of both parties, ADBB's large-scale biobank and advanced translational research infrastructure will be combined with the Company's unique technological foundation for UC-MSCs manufacturing and quality control, as well as insights gained from clinical and non-clinical trials. This aims to solve urgent medical challenges faced by the entire UAE and MENA region, accelerating the development and practical application of personalized regenerative medicine tailored to regional medical needs.
Under this partnership, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi will play a role in enabling the utilization of biological resources through the public cord blood banking services provided by ADBB and managing its operations.
Furthermore, this strategic alliance aims to establish a framework for the first domestic GMP manufacturing of UC-MSCs in the UAE, leading to the clinical practical application of cell therapy. It will support an integrated development and manufacturing system from securing and utilizing biological samples to clinical application, thereby strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in the region.
UC-MSCs are expected to be a new treatment option for diseases such as diabetes and its long-term complications, musculoskeletal disorders, and age-related sarcopenia, which have traditionally been managed symptomatically. Their characteristics include immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and tissue repair effects, aiming for functional recovery.
Dr. Asma AlMannaei, Executive Director of the Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated:
"This partnership agreement marks a crucial turning point for Abu Dhabi Biobank, evolving from initiatives starting with cord donation to the implementation of regenerative medicine in the UAE and MENA region. Together with trusted partners, we are accelerating personalized medicine research while building a unique global biobank hub to provide valuable data assets that will have the maximum impact on people's health.
This initiative promotes a shift from treatment-centric to prevention-focused healthcare, establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub in the medical and life sciences fields through innovation and improved quality of life.
Through this alliance, Abu Dhabi Biobank and Human Life Code will prioritize the development and clinical application of MSC therapies tailored to the region's unmet health needs. This will drive the development of preemptive medicine utilizing UC-MSCs to help alleviate the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases."
Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, stated:
"This partnership agreement is a prime example of how advanced biobanking infrastructure directly links to innovation in cell therapy. Abu Dhabi Biobank provides access to high-quality biological samples, along with systems for data, governance, and bridging research outcomes to clinical practice.
In collaboration with Human Life Code, we will build a new ecosystem that brings together cutting-edge science to address regional disease challenges and develop Abu Dhabi as a research, development, and manufacturing hub for regenerative medicine."
Masamichi Harada, President & CEO of Human Life Code Co., Ltd., stated:
"Human Life Code was established with the belief that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells can ultimately transform the treatment paradigm for chronic and degenerative diseases. To lead innovation in the field of umbilical cord-derived cell therapy, our unique technology for isolating, culturing, and quality controlling UC-MSCs