Abu Dhabi Biobank launches private cord blood banking services

UAE—Abu Dhabi Biobank has launched private cord blood banking services to improve healthcare options for families in the UAE.

This new initiative offers expectant families an affordable and accessible way to store their newborns’ stem cells locally.

With the global demand for cord blood banking on the rise, highlighted by over 60,000 transplants using stem cells from umbilical cord blood, many families have previously been unable to take advantage of these life-saving treatments due to high costs and limited local storage.

To tackle these challenges, Abu Dhabi Biobank is now providing cord blood banking services at half the cost of current market rates.

Additionally, the biobank has teamed up with top healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi, including M42’s Danat Al Emarat Women’s and Children Hospital, Corniche Hospital, and Kanad Hospital.

This collaboration ensures that families can access high-quality services without needing to rely on international storage options.

One significant advantage of the Abu Dhabi Biobank’s service is the local storage of cord blood samples.

Instead of sending them overseas, the biobank securely preserves these samples for up to 30 years at its state-of-the-art facility in Masdar City.

This facility boasts advanced automated technology and extensive biobanking infrastructure, ensuring that the stem cells remain viable for therapeutic use and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

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 crucial in treating more than 80 life-threatening diseases.

In the UAE, these include thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, bone marrow disorders, immune deficiencies, and various genetic conditions, many of which are prevalent in the region.

By making private cord blood banking more affordable and accessible, Abu Dhabi Biobank is working to eliminate financial and logistical barriers.

This allows families to have a secure, personalized medical resource for their children and potentially other family members.

Notably, siblings have a 25% chance of being a perfect match and a 50% chance of being a partial match for transplants, which significantly enhances treatment outcomes for genetic and blood disorders.

Paul Downey, the General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating that it represents a strong commitment from M42 and Abu Dhabi Biobank to provide affordable, accessible, and personalized care.

He pointed out that while cord blood stem cells are a powerful defense against disease, they are often discarded due to existing barriers.

With Abu Dhabi Biobank’s service, these obstacles are being removed, offering a timely solution for those facing diseases treatable with stem cells, individuals with a family history of medical conditions, or those dealing with limited donor availability.

The biobank offers flexible payment plans, cutting-edge biobanking technology, and additional benefits such as newborn screening and genetic counseling.

Downey expressed pride in taking a significant step toward personalized and preventive healthcare.

He looks forward to collaborating with partners to raise awareness about the vital role of umbilical cord blood in combating disease.