Marking a significant step towards enhancing access to advanced cell and gene therapies for children in the UAE, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Children’s National Hospital, the U.S.-based leading paediatric hospital in Washington, D.C. This partnership will establish the Abu Dhabi – Children’s National Hospital Cell and Gene Therapy Clinical Excellence Programme. Through this agreement, both parties will deliver specialised fellowships, joint training programmes and workshops to develop local talent, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for innovation in life science.
Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “This partnership reflects the healthcare ecosystem we are building in Abu Dhabi, one that integrates the world’s leading expertise within a future-focused, patient centered system. Together, with our esteemed partner, Children’s National, we are combining global expertise with our local ambition to create a model of care that is sustainable, scalable and tailored to the needs of our youngest patients and their families. As a regional leader in genomics and precision medicine, Abu Dhabi offers a strong foundation to accelerate cell and gene therapy research and delivery, further strengthening its position as a leading healthcare destination globally.”
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Michelle Riley-Brown, president and CEO of Children’s National said: “Our decades-long partnership with the UAE has already transformed pediatric healthcare, leading to groundbreaking innovations and life-saving treatments for children worldwide. This new collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi builds on that foundation, allowing us to expedite the delivery of cutting-edge cell and gene therapies and extend the promise of hope and healing to even more children and families.”
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development and delivery of advanced paediatric cell and gene therapies including as Virus-Specific T-cell therapies (VST) in the Emirate, with joint efforts to establish Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliant manufacturing facilities, create both patient-specific and standarised treatment protocols, and implement rigorous protocol systems. The partnership will also enhance clinical trial capabilities by streamlining regulatory processes, improving data governance and building local capacity in trial management and adherence to international standards.
In parallel, the partnership will drive cutting-edge research and training initiatives, supporting the development of next-generation therapies and shared biobanking infrastructure. By integrating long-term patient care pathways and support services, both parties aim to ensure that children in Abu Dhabi have lasting access to life-changing treatments and improved quality of life.
As part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to support the long-term sustainability of the healthcare sector and strengthen local expertise, DoH and Children’s National will launch a series of pioneering initiatives. Some of those initiatives include the establishment of comprehensive fellowship programmes for Emirati clinician-scientists within Children’s National’s cell therapy teams and the co-development of specialised training curricula in paediatric cellular immunotherapy and clinical trial management, ensuring local capabilities remain aligned with global advancements.
To further promote knowledge exchange, the collaboration will introduce virtual tumour board sessions, enabling experts from both parties to discuss complex paediatric cases. Additionally, hands-on training will be delivered in critical areas such as cell therapy manufacturing, quality control, and clinical administration. Complementary workshops will focus on the design, implementation, and regulatory processes of Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs), reinforcing DoH’s commitment to upskilling national talent and building a resilient, future-ready healthcare workforce.
