ADSCC partners with Miltenyi to advance local CAR-T therapy manufacturing in UAE

UAE—The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) and Miltenyi have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi to advance local development and manufacturing of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies, supporting the UAE’s efforts to expand access to advanced cell treatments.

The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, establishes a framework for scientific and technical cooperation between the two organizations.

It aims to strengthen the UAE’s cell therapy manufacturing capabilities, reduce reliance on overseas treatment providers and explore potential applications beyond cancer.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Antonio Alfonso Bencomo Hernandez, Chief Scientific Officer at ADSCC, and Willem-Jan Blok, Senior Vice President for Global Strategy and Organization and Commercial Europe and International Markets at Miltenyi Biomedicine.

Local manufacturing and technology development

Under the agreement, ADSCC will contribute its cell therapy development and manufacturing infrastructure, while Miltenyi will provide scientific and technical support for its proprietary viral vector and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor technologies.

The partnership will combine local manufacturing capacity with specialized technology and expertise to support the development of CAR-T treatments in the UAE.

Establishing domestic capabilities could improve access for eligible patients who might otherwise need to travel abroad for treatment.

CAR-T therapy involves collecting a patient’s T cells, genetically modifying them to recognize specific targets and reinfusing them to help the immune system attack diseased cells.

The treatment is established for certain blood cancers, while researchers are investigating its potential in other conditions, including autoimmune diseases.

ADSCC has developed a local CAR-T platform covering cell collection, processing, genetic engineering and manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

The center has also applied CAR-T therapy in an autoimmune disease setting, including lupus, reflecting its work to explore applications beyond oncology.

Expanding clinical applications

Dr. Hernandez said ADSCC had established capabilities across the CAR-T development and manufacturing process and intended to build on this foundation to expand the range of treatments that could be developed locally.

He added that working with Miltenyi would strengthen the center’s ability to manufacture advanced cell therapies in the UAE and investigate their potential in additional disease areas.

Blok said advancing CAR-T therapy requires cooperation among scientific, clinical and manufacturing teams.

He noted that the partnership would combine the organizations’ expertise to support the development of local capabilities and explore applications across a broader range of serious conditions.

The agreement also supports Abu Dhabi’s efforts to develop its life sciences sector by connecting local healthcare infrastructure with international technology providers.

The Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 brings together healthcare, scientific, technology, policy and investment stakeholders to discuss developments and partnerships across the health sector.

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