Abu Dhabi strengthens its global standing in advanced cellular therapy and transplant care
Abu Dhabi has reached a defining milestone in its healthcare journey as the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and Yas Clinic Khalifa City secure prestigious international accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy for the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
This achievement places the emirate firmly on the global map for cutting-edge cellular therapies, reinforcing its ambition to deliver world-class, patient-centered care while advancing medical research and innovation across the region.
What FACT Accreditation Truly Means
FACT accreditation is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous global benchmarks in cellular therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It confirms that an institution meets exacting international standards for the collection, processing, testing, and clinical administration of cellular therapy products.
For patients and families, this accreditation translates into confidence. It signals that every stage of care—from donor selection to laboratory handling and clinical treatment—follows globally recognized best practices focused on safety, consistency, and outcomes. For clinicians and researchers, it represents a trusted framework that supports excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
A Comprehensive Scope of Accredited Services
Under the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, the two institutions have earned accreditation across a remarkably broad range of services. These include adult and pediatric allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation, immune effector cellular therapy, and marrow-derived cellular therapy product collection.
The program also covers apheresis-based cellular therapy collection and advanced processing techniques involving both minimal and more than minimal cellular manipulation. All laboratory-based procedures are carried out at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre Processing and MTM Laboratory, which operates to the highest international quality and safety standards.
This extensive scope distinguishes the program not just regionally, but globally, highlighting its ability to deliver highly specialized therapies under one integrated clinical and laboratory ecosystem.
A First-of-Its-Kind Achievement in the Middle East
With this recognition, the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program becomes the only program in the Middle East accredited across this full spectrum of advanced cellular therapy services. This milestone reflects years of investment in infrastructure, talent, governance, and research capacity.
It also reinforces the designation of ADSCC as a Center of Excellence for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Together, these recognitions affirm Abu Dhabi’s readiness to serve as a regional referral hub for complex transplant and cellular therapy cases.
Leadership Driving Vision and Excellence
Behind this achievement is a clear strategic vision shaped by strong leadership and collaboration. Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment and Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, emphasized that the accreditation reflects a shared commitment to setting new benchmarks in patient care.
Her leadership underscores a focus on building sustainable systems that combine clinical excellence with regulatory rigor, ensuring patients in Abu Dhabi and beyond have access to the highest standards of treatment.
Prof. Yendry Ventura, Chief Executive Officer of ADSCC, highlighted the dedication of multidisciplinary teams whose work spans cellular processing, clinical delivery, and research. According to him, FACT accreditation validates the center’s role as a regional leader in regenerative medicine and advanced cell therapies, while reinforcing a culture of precision, safety, and innovation.
Inside the Evaluation Process
Achieving FACT accreditation is not a symbolic recognition. It involves a comprehensive on-site evaluation that includes detailed documentation reviews, staff interviews, and physical inspections of clinical and laboratory facilities.
Inspectors assess compliance with FACT–JACIE International Standards as well as alignment with US FDA Good Tissue Practice regulations. Every protocol, from quality management systems to staff training and patient follow-up, is examined.
For ADSCC and Yas Clinic Khalifa City, successfully navigating this process demonstrates not only technical capability but also organizational maturity and resilience—qualities essential for delivering complex therapies at scale.
Impact on Patients and Families
For patients facing life-threatening blood disorders, immune deficiencies, or certain cancers, access to accredited transplant and cellular therapy programs can be life-changing. FACT accreditation assures families that care is delivered within a system designed to minimize risk and maximize outcomes.
Local availability of such advanced treatments reduces the need for overseas travel, easing emotional and financial burdens while allowing patients to remain close to their support networks. This localized excellence strengthens trust in the national healthcare system and enhances overall patient experience.
Advancing Research and Regional Talent
Beyond clinical care, the accreditation strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a center for research excellence. Accredited programs are better positioned to participate in international clinical trials, collaborative research initiatives, and innovation partnerships.
This environment attracts top medical talent, supports advanced training opportunities for healthcare professionals, and accelerates the development of next-generation therapies. Over time, these factors contribute to a self-sustaining ecosystem where research, education, and patient care reinforce one another.
Abu Dhabi’s Growing Global Healthcare Role
The FACT accreditation aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to become a global destination for specialized healthcare. Investments in advanced laboratories, regulatory frameworks, and public-private collaboration are yielding tangible outcomes that resonate beyond national borders.
As global demand for cellular therapies and bone marrow transplantation continues to rise, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself not only as a provider of care but as a contributor to global medical progress.
Looking Ahead
The accreditation of ADSCC and Yas Clinic Khalifa City is not an endpoint. It is a foundation for continued growth, innovation, and international collaboration. Sustaining FACT standards requires ongoing evaluation, quality improvement, and adaptability to emerging scientific advances.
For patients, clinicians, and the wider healthcare community, this milestone signals a future where advanced, compassionate, and globally trusted care is available closer to home.
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