Abu Dhabi facilities achieve first AABB accreditation in UAE for haematopoietic cell collection

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) and Yas Clinic have secured a prestigious AABB accreditation for Haematopoietic Progenitor Cell Collection, marking them as the first healthcare institutions in the UAE and only the second in the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive this recognition.

Establishing regional leadership in cellular therapy
The accreditation, granted by AABB (for­merly the American Association of Blood Banks), acknowledges the facilities’ adher­ence to rigorous quality and safety stan­dards in the procurement, processing, and storage of haematopoietic progenitor cells. These cells are fundamental components in transplantation procedures and treat­ments for blood disorders and autoimmune conditions.

This achievement complements AD­SCC’s existing credentials as a Centre of Excellence in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, accredited by the Depart­ment of Health Abu Dhabi, and its accred­itation by the Foundation of Accreditation for Cellular Therapy (FACT). Notably, the institution has acquired these three significant cellular therapy accreditations within a condensed 24-month period.

Strategic alignment with national healthcare objectives
Prof Yendry Ventura, Chief Executive Of­ficer of ADSCC and Adjunct Professor at United Arab Emirates University, contex­tualised the achievement within broader national healthcare priorities: “Under the visionary leadership of the UAE and in alignment with the national healthcare agenda, ADSCC and Yas Clinic remain dedicated to advancing cellular therapy and medical innovation on a global scale.”

He further emphasised the significance of the accreditation: “As the first institu­tion in the UAE to receive this prestigious accreditation, we continue to set new benchmarks in quality and patient safety which is backed by a solid infrastructure, a state-of-the-art apheresis and ECP unit, and unparalleled clinical expertise.”

Clinical implications and infrastructure development
Dr Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Of­ficer at Yas Clinic operated by ADSCC, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this milestone: “This achievement reflects the efforts and expertise of our entire team of scientists, haematologists, immunolo­gists, nurses and technicians and beyond.”

The AABB accreditation programme is internationally recognised for establishing exceptional standards in quality and safety across the blood and biotherapies field, en­compassing all aspects of transfusion medi­cine, biotherapies and relationship testing.

Comprehensive service model
ADSCC is the originator of the Abu Dha­bi Bone Marrow Transplant (AD-BMT©) programme, which since 2020 has provid­ed both autologous and allogeneic haema­topoietic stem cells transplant services for adult and paediatric patients in the UAE.

The centre’s facilities include one of the region’s most advanced research labora­tories, a state-of-the-art apheresis unit, a stem cell collection unit, a Good Manu­facturing Practice (GMP) laboratory, and dedicated multi-specialty outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. This compre­hensive infrastructure supports ADSCC’s holistic service model encompassing re­search, clinical trials, translational care, and manufacturing capabilities.

In 2024, ADSCC received FACT ac­creditation for its cellular therapy process­ing laboratory, becoming the first in UAE and one of only two facilities in the Middle East to obtain this global recognition.

• For more information about ADSCC and its services, visit: www.adscc.ae.