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Human Life CORD Japan Inc. (HLC), a clinical-stage Japanese biotechnology company developing regenerative cell therapies based on umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) announced a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank (ADBB), an initiative led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the global health leader M42, to localize, manufacture and clinically translate UC-MSCs therapies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider MENA region.
Through this collaboration, HLC will leverage ADBB’s large-scale biobanking, data, and translational research infrastructure, together with its proprietary MSC technology platform and advanced clinical development expertise.



The collaboration addresses the importance of region-specific, tailor-made regenerative therapies to address the growing healthcare burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases. UC-MSC therapies are increasingly recognized for their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and tissue-repair properties, making them a promising therapeutic option for conditions, including diabetes and its long-term complications, musculoskeletal degeneration, and age-related frailty, where conventional treatments primarily manage symptoms rather than restore function.

Through this partnership, HLC and ADBB will prioritize the development and translation of MSC therapies tailored to unmet health needs in the region, including diabetes-related complications such as painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and sarcopenia, an age-associated loss of muscle mass and strength that impacts mobility, independence and quality of life. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 73 million people in the MENA region live with the disease; by 2045, this figure is expected to rise to 135.7 million.

Paul Downey, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Biobank, said: “This partnership is a powerful example of how advanced biobanking infrastructure can be directly connected to therapeutic innovation. Abu Dhabi Biobank provides not only access to high-quality biological materials, but also the data, governance and translational pathways required to move regenerative therapies from research into clinical reality. Together with Human Life CORD, we are building a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that aligns advanced science to address the significant disease burden of our region, establishing the UAE as a regional hub for regenerative medicine research and manufacturing.”

The collaboration will establish one of the first localized GMP manufacturing and clinical translation pathways for UC-MSC therapies in the UAE, supporting end-to-end development from biospecimen access to clinical application, thereby strengthening regional resilience.

ADBB contributes a regionally unparalleled infrastructure, including access to flagship maternity hospitals for ethnically diverse and well-annotated biospecimens, automated cryogenic storage for cord-derived materials, and integrated clinical, genomic and real-world health data. Its platform enables robust patient stratification, translational research, regulatory engagement and clinical trial facilitation, all within a nationally governed framework aligned with international biobanking standards.

Masamitsu Harata, Founder, President and CEO, Human Life CORD Japan Inc., added: “We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Biobank for a strategic business collaboration, supported by the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East. Human Life CORD was founded on the belief that umbilical cord–derived MSCs can transform the treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases. It brings deep expertise in proprietary UC-MSC isolation, expansion and quality control technologies, alongside a clinically mature regenerative medicine pipeline. Partnering with Abu Dhabi Biobank allows us to localize manufacturing informed by regional disease prevalence and real-world data, design and execute clinical programs and bring scientifically validated MSC therapies closer to patients.”

HLC has advanced multiple MSC-based therapeutic programs through mid-to-late-stage clinical development in Japan, positioning it among the leaders in umbilical cord–derived cell therapy innovation.
This alliance is part of broader efforts to elevate life sciences and advanced medical research within the UAE, contributing to the nation’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and healthcare solutions, while also supporting scientific collaboration involving both the UAE and Japan.
 

 
■About Abu Dhabi Biobank (https://abudhabibiobank.ae/)
Abu Dhabi Biobank is a national-level biobank jointly operated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the global healthcare group M42.
Based in Abu Dhabi, it provides an integrated platform for the collection and storage of diverse biospecimens through partnerships with maternity hospitals, alongside the comprehensive use of clinical data, genomic data, and real-world health data.
Abu Dhabi Biobank promotes translational research that bridges scientific discoveries to clinical application and plays a central role in supporting the implementation of regenerative medicine and advanced medical innovations.

■About M42 (https://m42.ae/)
M42 is a global healthcare group that leverages AI, genomics, and healthcare data to deliver integrated operations spanning hospital management through to research and development.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, M42 is building a next-generation healthcare ecosystem that combines healthcare delivery, biobanking, genomics, and health data platforms, with the aim of enabling preventive, predictive, and personalized medicine.
Established in 2023 through the integration of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health, M42 currently operates healthcare-related businesses across 27 countries worldwide.

■About Human Life CORD Japan Inc. (https://humanlifecord.com/en/)
Human Life CORD Japan Inc. manufactures and develops cellular products from domestic and stockable umbilical cords which are connected to the living desire of patients with rare diseases without any established treatment at present, and then leads to future medical treatment aimed at preventing the serious illness that leads to the extension of their healthy life span. The vision is to create a world where growing older is more enjoyable. In 2019 “First Tokyo Venture Corporate Championship Conference” Best Award & Tokyo Metropolitan Governor’s Award. Selected as a supplier of the “Deep Ecosystem” operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government “Start-up Ecosystem Tokyo Consortium”. In 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare was awarded the 5th Japan Open Innovation Award, sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
 

 
[Press Release PDF] HLC Japan Announces Strategic Partnership with Abu Dhabi Biobank
 
[Contact]
Human Life CORD Japan Inc.
Public Relations: info@humanlifecord.com