Centro de Células-Tronco de Abu Dhabi (ADSCC) — A Comprehensive Overview

Introdução

The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) é uma instituição de saúde de ponta localizada em Abu Dhabi, Emirados Árabes Unidos, especializada em terapia com células-tronco, medicina regenerativa, and cellular therapy. Since its founding in 2018, ADSCC has rapidly become one of the region’s leading centers for advanced cellular treatments — offering patients access to therapies previously available only in more medically developed countries.

Neste artigo, we explore what ADSCC is, what services it provides, its major achievements and accreditations, and why it matters — particularly for patients seeking advanced treatments for blood cancers, doenças autoimunes, and other serious conditions.

What is ADSCC — Mission & Scope

ADSCC was founded in 2018 with the mission to meet growing domestic and regional demand for specialized medical services in regenerative medicine and cellular therapy.
The center aims to cover the full spectrum of cellular therapies: from basic research and clinical trials to real-world clinical applications.
Its infrastructure includes advanced laboratories, a cell processing facility, Good Manufacturing Practice (BPF) labs, apheresis and stem cell collection units, as well as inpatient wards and outpatient clinics — effectively making it a comprehensive “one-stop” center for cellular therapy and transplantation.
By centralizing research, transplantation, cellular therapy manufacturing and clinical care under one roof, ADSCC reduces the need for patients to travel abroad for complex procedures.

Key Clinical Programs and Services

🔹 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (TCTH) – AD-BMT© Programme

Since 2020, ADSCC has operated its proprietary bone marrow transplant programme, named AD-BMT©, offering both autólogo (células do próprio paciente) e alogênico (células doadoras) HSCT for adults and pediatric patients.
The programme treats a range of hematological diseases (blood cancers, blood disorders), genetic conditions, and autoimmune diseases.
The first successful bone marrow transplant at ADSCC was carried out in July 2020.
In November 2022, ADSCC reportedly performed the region’s first bone marrow transplant for a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (EM), marking a significant milestone for applying HSCT beyond traditional oncological uses.

🔹 Advanced Cellular Therapies & Medicina Regenerativa

ADSCC offers advanced cell-based therapies (beyond HSCT), aiming to harness the potential of regenerative medicine for a variety of conditions.
The center reportedly manufactured the first CAR‑T cell therapy in the UAE — a highly specialized form of therapy for certain cancers — expanding the therapeutic possibilities beyond transplantation.
ADSCC also integrates research and clinical trials, bridging the gap between experimental science and real-world patient care.

Recognitions, Accreditations, and Quality Standards

ADSCC has received multiple prestigious recognitions — underscoring its compliance with international standards for safety, quality, and clinical outcomes:

Em 2023, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) officially recognized ADSCC as a “Centre of Excellence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation”, a status awarded based on strict evaluation of clinical outcomes, segurança do paciente, staff competency, and research/education strategy.
On 31 Poderia 2024, ADSCC became the first healthcare institution in the UAE to receive accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) for its comprehensive cellular therapy programme — including processing hematopoietic cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord or placental blood according to international standards.
Out of 261 centers worldwide accredited by FACT, ADSCC is among only two in the entire Middle East to meet these stringent standards.
Em 2025, ADSCC (together with its partner clinic) obtained accreditation from AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks) for hematopoietic progenitor cell collection — marking a milestone for compliance with global best practices in collection, processamento, and storage of stem cells.

These recognitions reflect not only ADSCC’s technical and clinical capabilities but also its commitment to high standards of safety and quality — critical in treatments as complex as cellular therapies.

Strategic Partnerships & Expansion of Services

In September 2024, ADSCC announced a strategic partnership with Burjeel Medical City (BMC), one of the leading super-specialty hospitals in the region. This collaboration aims to expand bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy services, broadening access for adult and pediatric patients across a wider healthcare network. UAE News 4 U+1
Through such partnerships, ADSCC extends its “ecosystem” — combining advanced research, transplant/cellular therapy services, and comprehensive patient care — making Abu Dhabi a regional hub for cutting-edge regenerative medicine. UAE News 4 U+1

Why ADSCC Matters — Regional & Global Impact

Local access to advanced therapies — Before ADSCC, many patients in the UAE and surrounding regions seeking bone marrow transplants, cellular therapy or CAR-T treatments had to travel abroad. ADSCC’s emergence reduces this need, making life-saving therapies more accessible.
Raising regional standards — By securing international accreditations (FACT, AABB) and national recognition (Centre of Excellence), ADSCC helps set a high bar for quality care in the Middle East. This can stimulate improvements in other institutions and build public trust in cellular medicine.
Bridging research and clinical care — Through its integrated model (research → clinical trials → real-world therapy), ADSCC helps translate scientific advances into patient benefit — potentially accelerating the adoption of regenerative therapies for diseases previously considered difficult to treat.
Global competitiveness — As ADSCC continues to expand and partner with large hospitals like Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi reinforces its position as an international destination for specialized medical care, attracting patients beyond the UAE.

Desafios & Considerations

While ADSCC boasts impressive achievements, there are important nuances to bear in mind:

Advanced cellular therapies remain complex, with rigorous requirements for donor matching (in allogeneic transplants), long-term follow-up, and potential complications. Patients should be thoroughly evaluated by specialists.
Not all conditions may be eligible for stem cell transplantation or CAR-T therapy — eligibility depends on disease type, stage, patient’s overall health, and availability of matching donors.
As with any cutting-edge therapy, resultados a longo prazo (especially for newer treatments) may still be under study; ongoing research and follow-up are critical.

Conclusão

The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) represents a major leap forward in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine in the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East. From its founding in 2018, ADSCC has built a comprehensive infrastructure that combines research, clinical care, transplantation, and therapy manufacturing. Recognized internationally (via FACT and AABB) and nationally (as a Centre of Excellence), it offers patients access to state-of-the-art treatments — including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and CAR-T therapy — that were once accessible only abroad.

As the center continues to expand — through strategic partnerships like that with Burjeel Medical City — ADSCC is helping position Abu Dhabi as a regional leader and global destination for advanced cellular medicine. For patients requiring complex treatments for blood cancers, autoimmune illnesses, or other serious diseases, ADSCC offers hope and high-quality care within their region.