In a significant milestone for Middle Eastern healthcare, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) has become the first institution in the UAE to receive accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). This achievement positions the UAE as a regional leader in advanced cellular therapies and underscores ADSCC’s commitment to international quality standards in haematopoietic cellular therapy.
Pioneering cellular therapy in the UAE
The FACT accreditation, awarded for ADSCC’s comprehensive cellular therapy programme, places the centre among an elite group of 261 FACT-accredited institutions worldwide. Notably, ADSCC is only the second centre in the Middle East to meet FACT’s stringent criteria, solidifying its position at the forefront of advanced cellular therapy in the region.
Prof. Yendry Ventura, CEO of ADSCC and Adjunct Professor at UAE University, emphasised the significance of this achievement: “With this landmark FACT accreditation, we are breaking new ground in addressing complex diseases through cutting-edge treatments such as stem cell transplants and other cellular therapies. The journey towards the accreditation has been both extensive and stimulating, and we take immense pride in being the first institution in UAE to receive it.”
Comprehensive standards for haematopoietic cellular therapy
ADSCC’s accreditation specifically covers the ‘FACT-JACIE International Standards for Haematopoietic Cellular Therapy Product Processing’. This certification ensures the implementation of best quality standards in medical and laboratory practice for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation and therapies derived from various sources, including bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and placental blood.
Milestones in cellular therapy
Since its establishment in 2018, ADSCC has achieved several notable milestones:
1. Launch of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant programme
2. Manufacturing of first CAR-T Cell Therapy in UAE
3. Recognition as a Centre of Excellence in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
The Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant (AD-BMT) programme, initiated in 2020, stands out as the first comprehensive programme in the UAE offering both autologous and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplants for adult and paediatric patients. Led by a team of expert haematologists and clinicians, the programme provides advanced holistic care for patients with haematological diseases, genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
Dr Phyllis Warkentin, FACT Chief Medical Officer, commended ADSCC’s achievement: “FACT accreditation represents a commitment to quality throughout an organisation and requires dedication and perseverance. I congratulate Prof. Ventura and the team of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center on achieving FACT accreditation, the first cellular therapy product processing laboratory in the UAE to reach this milestone.”
Advancing UAE’s healthcare agenda
The accreditation aligns with the UAE’s national healthcare agenda, positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Prof. Ventura commented: “Under the guidance of UAE’s wise leadership and in line with the UAE’s national agenda in healthcare, ADSCC has a clear vision and mandate of pioneering cellular therapy on a global scale and bringing medical breakthroughs closer to bedside, which plays a crucial role in positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE at the vanguard of healthcare innovation.”
International standards and best practices
FACT, established in 1996, is a non-profit corporation co-founded by the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). It conducts voluntary inspections and accreditations in the field of cellular therapy, employing rigorous and comprehensive evaluations based on international standards and best practices.
