Abu Dhabi steps into the future of MS treatment

Something remarkable is taking shape in Abu Dhabi. A new clinical trial at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center offers a ray of hope to people living with multiple sclerosis. The team is testing an advanced therapy built around the THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. It is a mouthful of a name, sure, but the idea behind it is simple. Treat the immune system from the outside in, then guide it back into balance.

MS is a tough condition. It chips away at movement, balance, and speech. It keeps people on their toes, often in ways they never asked for. And while treatments exist, many reach a point where the usual drugs do not cut it anymore. That is why this trial matters. As Prof. Yendry Ventura put it, "Every milestone brings us closer to new solutions for immune-mediated neurological diseases."

How does it work?

Extracorporeal photopheresis sounds like science fiction. It is not. It is a real-world, hands-on immunotherapy used for decades in other fields.

Here is how it plays out:

• First, clinicians collect a patient's white blood cells.
• Then they activate these cells with light outside the body.
• Finally, they infuse the cells back into the bloodstream.

This straightforward loop nudges an overactive immune system toward calmer ground. The technique is usually reserved for conditions such as graft-versus-host disease and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. ADSCC decided to push the envelope by exploring whether the same method could ease the progression of MS. Early signs point to yes. Patients enrolled in the PHOMS study have reported better balance, steadier walking, and clearer speech. These changes were not possible with their previous treatment plans.

Prof. Ventura, who leads the PHOMS study, said the joint effort across Abu Dhabi's health ecosystem has been "instrumental in culminating this important study." His confidence is clear. He added that upcoming reports "can pave the way for the incorporation of a new treatment alternative for people with MS globally."

Why does it matter?

People with MS often face a winding road. Symptoms come and go. Treatments work until they do not. For many, the search for relief becomes a long-running marathon. That is why this development feels so important. It gives patients something new to hold on to.

The trial also carries scientific weight. THERAKOS, the global leader in ECP, called the findings a meaningful step forward for research in immune driven neurological disease. Sandra Thompson, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Therakos LLC, praised the ADSCC team for its "expertise and dedication" and voiced excitement about continuing the collaboration.

There is another layer, too. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society played its part by funding the study. Its support enabled the research team to accelerate timelines and broaden the scope of the trial. This kind of backing nudges the entire MS field closer to better care and stronger scientific understanding.

The context

Abu Dhabi's ambitions in biomedical innovation are not subtle. The PHOMS trial fits neatly into that vision. It shows that complex interventional research can be designed and delivered locally while still meeting rigorous global standards. It also signals that the UAE intends to lead in cell therapy, gene therapy, and advanced immunotherapy.

ADSCC stands at the center of this strategy. The center has built a track record of trying bold ideas and grounding them in real science. As Prof. Ventura noted, it is a point of pride that "such innovations are being born from Abu Dhabi to the world."

With encouraging safety results and early evidence of clinical benefit, the PHOMS study brings the UAE closer to shaping a new era of MS care. It is one more tile in a growing mosaic that positions Abu Dhabi as a rising force in global biomedical research.