Abu Dhabi Biobank has partnered with NMC Healthcare to expand access to cord blood banking services across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, in a move that combines private storage options for families with public donations to support research and the development of new therapies.

The partnership will see services introduced at five NMC branches – NMC Royal Hospital – Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Hospital – Khalifa City, NMC Specialty Hospital – Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Hospital – Mohammed Bin Zayed City and NMC Specialty Hospital – Al Ain. Further sites are expected to follow. The initiative builds on existing operations at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Corniche Hospital and Kanad Hospital Al Ain.

Cord blood, which is rich in stem cells, can be used in the treatment of more than 80 conditions, including blood disorders, immune deficiencies and some cancers. More than 60,000 stem cell transplants using cord blood have been performed worldwide, according to global data.

Paul Downey, general manager at Abu Dhabi Biobank, said: “More than 95% of cord blood is discarded as medical waste due to a lack of understanding of its benefits. Every cord blood sample is a promise of hope, healing and medical breakthroughs. We’re proud to be working with NMC Healthcare to ensure more families can be part of this powerful solution. With NMC’s extensive maternity and neonatal network, the partnership will ensure widespread availability and awareness of cord blood banking services, from education during prenatal care to safe, seamless collection during delivery.”

The partnership will give expectant parents receiving care at NMC hospitals the option to privately store cord blood for their families or donate to a public bank. By integrating services into established maternity and neonatal units, both organisations aim to make cord blood collection more routine and accessible.

Dr Zaka ullah Khan, chief clinical officer at NMC Healthcare, added: “Our partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering comprehensive, personalised and future-ready care. Cord blood banking isn’t just a medical service, but a gift of health for tomorrow. We’re proud to make this option more accessible for the families we serve. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, this collaboration is a significant step in expanding our healthcare services and continuing our contribution to build a robust, future-focused biomedical ecosystem in the UAE.”

The Abu Dhabi Biobank, based in Masdar City, is part of a national drive to establish the UAE as a regional hub for advanced medical research and innovation. Its facility is equipped with robotic systems for the automated processing, storage and retrieval of biological samples, with capacity for long-term preservation of stem cells for up to 30 years. By building one of the region’s largest cord blood repositories, the organisation is supporting both family health services and public research into new therapeutic applications.