Abu Dhabi Biobank (ADBB), a strategic initiative of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and M42, has partnered with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of the University of Miami Health System, to establish the Middle East’s first Eye Bank in Abu Dhabi.
Announced at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, the initiative aims to improve access to sight-restoring corneal transplants across the UAE and the wider region while reducing reliance on imported donor corneal tissue.
The new Eye Bank will recover, process, preserve, and distribute donor corneal tissue in accordance with international standards, creating a sustainable local supply chain and improving access to timely transplantation. The facility is expected to strengthen regional self-sufficiency, enhance quality assurance, and improve patient outcomes.
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The collaboration builds on a previous partnership between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute to establish the institute’s first international facility in Abu Dhabi.
H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said “The partnership reflects the Emirate’s commitment to delivering world-class, patient-centered healthcare through innovation and international collaboration.”
Albarah El Khani, Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Health Solutions at M42, said “The Eye Bank will create critical healthcare infrastructure that restores sight, supports regional transplant capabilities, and advances Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global healthcare hub.”
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will provide expertise in clinical protocols, operational standards, workforce training, research, and education, helping establish a regional center of excellence for corneal transplantation
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The Eye Bank will also collaborate with Hayat, the UAE’s national organ donation programme, on the recovery, processing, preservation, and distribution of donor corneal tissue.
The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi Biobank’s expanding capabilities, which include the region’s largest hybrid cord blood bank, a pan-human biobank, and a tumor bank, supporting advances in early detection, prevention, and personalized healthcare.
