By making private cord blood banking more affordable and accessible, families now have an increased chance of finding a suitable stem cell match within families—siblings have a 25 per cent probability of being a perfect match and a 50 per cent chance of being a partial match for transplants, significantly improving treatment outcomes for genetic and blood disorders.
“This launch is a strong statement by M42 and Abu Dhabi Biobank to make personalised care affordable, accessible and local. Cord blood stem cells are a powerful defence against disease but are often discarded as medical waste due to barriers,” said Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank.
“With Abu Dhabi Biobank’s private cord blood banking service, we are breaking those barriers down by offering a timely and accessible solution for those battling a disease that can be treated with stem cells; or, those with a family history of medical disorders; or, those facing limited donor availability,” he added.
Expectant parents in the UAE now have the chance to preserve their newborn’s stem cells via new private cord blood banking services launched by Abu Dhabi Biobank.
With more than 60,000 transplants performed globally using stem cells from umbilical cord blood, the demand for life-saving treatment using cord blood banking is growing. However, many families are having to go without the benefits of private cord blood banking due to high cost and limited local storage options.
Cord blood, collected from a newborn’s umbilical cord immediately after birth, is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into various blood and immune system cells.
“These stem cells are instrumental in treating more than 80 life-threatening diseases that have high prevalence rates in the UAE, including thalassemia (16.5 per cent prevalence in the UAE), sickle cell anemia (5.8 per cent), leukemia, lymphoma, bone marrow disorders, immune deficiencies, and genetic conditions” Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement on Monday.
At half the cost than current market rates, these services will be available at leading and fully licenced healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi, including M42’s Danat Al Emarat Women’s and Children Hospital, and other facilities such as Corniche Hospital and Kanad Hospital.
Rather than cord blood samples being shipped and kept abroad, Abu Dhabi Biobank, which is a collaboration between Department of Health-Abu Dhabi and M42, will be preserving samples locally, safely and securely for up to 30 years at its cord blood banking facility in Masdar City. This long-term storage capability guarantees that stem cells remain viable for therapeutic applications and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
The services promise flexible payment plans, advanced biobanking technology, and additional benefits like newborn screening and genetic counseling.
By making private cord blood banking more affordable and accessible, families now have an increased chance of finding a suitable stem cell match within families—siblings have a 25 per cent probability of being a perfect match and a 50 per cent chance of being a partial match for transplants, significantly improving treatment outcomes for genetic and blood disorders.
“This launch is a strong statement by M42 and Abu Dhabi Biobank to make personalised care affordable, accessible and local. Cord blood stem cells are a powerful defence against disease but are often discarded as medical waste due to barriers,” said Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank.
“With Abu Dhabi Biobank’s private cord blood banking service, we are breaking those barriers down by offering a timely and accessible solution for those battling a disease that can be treated with stem cells; or, those with a family history of medical disorders; or, those facing limited donor availability,” he added.
