CellSave Arabia targets growth in UAE regenerative medicine market

Main image credit: CellSave Arabia

D ubai is rapidly positioning itself at the forefront of regenerative medicine, and companies like CellSave Arabia are helping drive that shift.  

Originally established as one of the UAE’s earliest cord blood banking providers, the company has spent more than two decades building expertise in stem cell storage and biotechnology. Now, it is expanding into cellular therapies, research partnerships and clinical trials, reflecting the emirate’s growing ambition to become a global hub for advanced life sciences. 

Pharmaceutical Technology Focus spoke with chief operating officer, Alia Abdel-Razeq how the company works with partners such as Gilead Sciences, the evolving regulatory environment in Dubai, and why stem cells and regenerative medicine could become a cornerstone of healthcare in the coming decades.

From new laboratory facilities to upcoming clinical trials, they also outline the next phase of growth for the company - and for the wider biotech ecosystem in the UAE.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Alia Abdel-Razeq: I’m the Chief Operating Officer. I joined the company six years ago. We are one of the early players in this space - the first cord blood banking company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to get licensed around ten years ago. The company itself started more than twenty years ago. 

There was a period where everything was paused while the central authorities were developing regulations. We were still operating and collecting tissue privately, but the formal regulations only really came into effect around 2021. Because of Covid, the implementation was delayed slightly, but that’s when the regulations finally started coming out. 

At that point we decided we wanted to move more into cellular therapy as well. Right now, we’re planning to open five new labs that will produce pharmaceutical-grade stem cells that can be used in different therapeutic applications. 

We collaborate with Dubai Science Park and work on various projects with them in Dubai. We’ve also signed partnerships with several research companies that want to bring their products into the regional research market. 

For example, we have a partnership with Gilead. We act as their storage facilitator. They produce the therapy, and we handle the patient samples. Typically, these are lymphoma patients at stage four. We collect the blood from the patient, ship the cells to be processed, and then store the modified cells until the patient is ready to receive them again.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: There are always challenges, especially when legislation is new. That said, the regulators here in the UAE are very good when it comes to guidelines. They are agile and flexible. Now we’re reaching a point where regulations are becoming stricter, which is better. In healthcare, the patient always comes first.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: ​​​​​​​Usually the regulators consult the industry. They’ll come to laboratories and healthcare providers and say, “We want to launch these guidelines - what do you think? How will this affect your operations?”  

They try to bridge the gaps before introducing a law. In many countries regulators create a law and impose it. Here, they sit down with providers and labs to make sure the framework works in practice. Of course it’s still challenging because the field is new. Every time you introduce a new therapy you need to ensure product quality, the right accreditations, proper inventory systems, and compliance with standards - whether you’re storing privately banked stem cells or donated samples like MSCs.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: ​​​​​​​Experience is a big factor. We’ve been in the stem cell market for more than 20 years. Our co-founder and CEO,  is a biotech engineer, and I’m also a biotech engineer. Most of the leadership team has scientific backgrounds. That means we understand both the science and the business side. 

We also try to stay ahead of trends. For example, in 2017 we introduced storage of placenta, amnion, and umbilical cord vessels. At the time people questioned why we were storing those tissues, but we knew they are very rich sources of mesenchymal stem cells and other valuable cell types. 

Another example is cord blood. The probability of someone using their own cord blood is relatively low - around 1 in 217 - but what you can now develop from cord blood is incredible. You can create personalised treatments, immunotherapies, and other regenerative medicine applications. So now we’re asking: what else can we extract or develop from the cord blood we already store? 

We also strongly support research. We collaborate with universities like Khalifa University and others to explore new applications. We’re very open to new ideas.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: ​​​​​​​The partnership relates to their CAR-T products developed in the US. They needed a partner that could store the cells with the correct accreditations and infrastructure until the therapy is ready to be administered to the patient. 

These therapies are extremely sensitive - and very expensive, around $300,000 per treatment - so you need to ensure the facility handling them has the proper systems, quality control, and accreditation to protect both the patient and the integrity of the cells.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: ​​​​​​​Yes. We’re working with research centers and universities and planning to publish scientific papers and launch clinical trials. Our first focus will be female health - things like ovarian rejuvenation, low ovarian reserve, and recurrent miscarriages. We’re planning trials in IVF settings. 

In IVF, patients often reach a point where they’ve tried everything. Stem cells may help, but there’s not enough published data yet. With support from the government and several IVF clinics, we’re planning to begin trials. We’re also interested in orthopedics. For example, comparing stem cell therapies versus exosomes to see which approach works better. 

We’ve received strong support from government bodies like the Department of Health, which even suggested we apply for research grants.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: It depends on the type of trial. For example, in infertility cases, patients are often willing to try new treatments because they’ve already experienced multiple miscarriages or failed IVF attempts. When quality of life is affected, people are more open to participation. There are also ongoing trials in areas like diabetes and multiple sclerosis. 

However, trust is very important. If a small clinic launches a trial without strong data or reputation, patients will hesitate. That’s why we partner with well-known institutions and physicians with strong reputations. Patients trust them. As a laboratory, we provide the product and monitoring. The physician is responsible for recruiting the patient.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: We handle that through strict quality control. Even for samples stored for 20 years, we run yearly viability tests to ensure the cells remain healthy and usable. So far, we’ve never had issues.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: Entering the Saudi market is a major goal, along with expanding into cellular therapy and producing pharmaceutical-grade stem cells. Right now we are collaborating with partners for some processes, but soon we aim to do more of this in-house because we understand the market and its needs. Our new lab should be completed by April 2026, and after that we plan to expand into Saudi Arabia.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: In the UAE, people are becoming more educated about stem cells and regenerative medicine. Saudi Arabia is now moving in the same direction. The government there is very supportive. Stem cell therapies align well with the region’s broader healthcare vision - improving quality of life, not just longevity. The goal isn’t just to live longer but to live healthier and remain active into older age.

Alia Abdel-Razeq: ​​​​​​​Cost is currently a challenge. Treatments can cost several thousand dollars, sometimes much more depending on the therapy. It’s important for governments to regulate the field and ensure providers meet strict standards. Stem cell treatments can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Poor-quality procedures could lead to complications like embolisms or severe reactions. 

But overall, I believe stem cells are the future. They are already one of the main pillars of regenerative medicine. Instead of relying solely on chemicals or drugs, you can use the body’s own cells to repair tissue and restore function - whether it’s vision, liver issues, kidney problems, or other conditions. Stem cells are often called “master cells” because they can identify damaged areas and support repair. 

Alia Abdel-Razeq: The biggest difference is accessibility and speed. I’ve worked in Germany, Jordan, and Romania. Here, you can actually speak with regulators and present new ideas. 

The government is very agile. If a regulation or law is needed, it can sometimes be implemented within months. You see this mindset everywhere - not just in healthcare. For example, if people complain about traffic, new infrastructure projects start immediately and are completed quickly. 

The government listens to the needs of residents and acts fast. That’s why the UAE has become such an innovative environment across sectors, including healthcare.