Abu Dhabi, 5 April 2023: Yendry Ventura, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre (ADSCC), talks to Oxford Business Group about advances in regenerative medicine and stem cell research and investment in this sector.

How can advancements in regenerative medicine, stem cell research and adoptive cell therapy enhance Abu Dhabi’s health care sector?

YENDRY VENTURA: Advancements in these areas can help to solve problems across all medical specialities. Regenerative medicine can provide different solutions for organ and tissue dysfunction due to ageing, disease or trauma. Regenerative medicine can offer solutions for chronic conditions where conventional therapies have failed to return the tissues and organs to a homeostatic balance, such as when treating orthopaedic conditions or more complex cases like brain and heart conditions. Some of the disciplines with positive records in regenerative medicine and stem cell treatment include vascular surgery, orthopaedics, haematology and neurology.

Stem cell transplants are mainly used for blood cancers, but they also have the potential to treat autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and lupus. Meanwhile, adoptive cell therapy covers the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy programme but has further potential beyond this application. These cells can be programmed to treat specific strands of diseases. A prime example is a tumour: adoptive therapy could allow tumour-infiltrated lymphocytes – cells that kill a specific type of cancer – and genetically engineered T-cell receptors to be extracted, multiplied and sent back into the body.

To what extent does the successful manufacturing of CAR-T cells present opportunities for further investment in the health care sector?

VENTURA: CAR-T cells are one of the most advanced types of approved regenerative treatments in the world. Essentially, CAR-T cells are created in a lab and programmed to target specific types of cells or tumours. The medical process of using CAR-T cells is highly specialised and conducted in strictly controlled environments. CAR-T cells are primarily used in the treatment of diseases like lymphoma; however, several other avenues are being explored to expand their application to autoimmune diseases.

The opportunities for investment in this segment are vast in theory, although it is important to note that the specialised skills required to operate in this segment are difficult to access. With an ever-evolving labour pool, as well as international knowledge-transfer partnerships and the general array of treatment possibilities with these cells, it is safe to say the ecosystem surrounding cellular therapy with a focus on CAR-T cells is in its infancy and has significant room to grow.

With regenerative therapy being a highly specialised field of medicine, what more can be done to expand the knowledge base and access to talent in this area?

VENTURA: Each vertical at the ADSCC has a research, innovation and education sub-pillar. We have an educational component where we attract international talent to facilitate knowledge transfer related to advanced technology to the local workforce. Although research conducted at universities is invaluable to both the medical field and health care professionals, it is difficult to translate it quickly into tangible benefits for patients. That is why the ADSCC’s clinical practice aims to produce research that has a clear benefit to patients.

The main focus of health care should be the promotion of good health. Basic research that focuses on core medicine allows us to understand the mechanisms behind how diseases affect people and where we can develop solutions. As researchers, we have a social responsibility that goes beyond discovering exciting cell therapy applications; we want to bridge the gap between innovation and sustainable solutions. Everyone should have access to evaluation and treatment. Take, for example, CAR-T cells. Although a wonderful discovery, they are hard to obtain, and insurance companies do not currently cover related treatments as most of the products are still in the clinical trial phase. Solutions are therefore needed in the near future so everyone has access to innovative, life-saving therapies.

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