Abu Dhabi to begin ground-breaking multiple sclerosis treatment trial

The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) will begin a ground-breaking clinical trial to find a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), having obtained the approval of the Research Committee of Department of Health.

The stem cell research hub will begin the recruitment and enrolment of 45 patients in the Phase 1/2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a pioneering new technology Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP), which will be used in the MS treatment.

A team of scientists and physicians from ADSCC have made all the necessary preparations. The study will now move to the next stage with the end goal of establishing immunomodulatory in patients.

Dr Yendry Ventura, General Manager and an Immunology specialist at ADSCC, said, "The UAE is bringing the unique and innovative treatments that are mostly found in the West to the region in this ground-breaking clinical trial.

"Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease that can have a devastating impact on many patients’ lives in the Middle East and around the world and our world-leading research center has the chance to advance global biotechnology treatments to the next level.