The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) has signed an agreement with Miltenyi to develop and manufacture chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies in the UAE, the Emirates News Agency reported on Thursday.
The memorandum of understanding aims to set up a first regional access point for locally developed CAR-T therapies. It also covers possible use of the treatment beyond cancer.
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, signed the agreement on Wednesday. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026.
Under the deal, ADSCC will provide its local cell therapy development and manufacturing capabilities. Miltenyi will give scientific and technical support for its proprietary viral vector and anti-CD19 CAR-T technologies.
The two organizations said the partnership is meant to reduce the need for eligible patients to seek treatment abroad. They did not disclose financial terms.
CAR-T therapy modifies a patient’s own immune cells so they can better recognize and attack disease-causing cells. It is established for some blood cancers, and researchers are testing it in other conditions, including autoimmune diseases.
ADSCC already runs a local CAR-T platform covering cell collection, processing, genetic engineering and manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice standards. The center has used CAR-T therapy to treat autoimmune disease, including lupus.
Bencomo Hernandez said the center’s “priority is to continue building on this foundation to expand what can be achieved within the UAE.”
