Abu Dhabi launches major biobank to predict and prevent disease

Abu Dhabi has opened a new biobank that connects biological samples with genetic, lifestyle and clinical data to catch diseases earlier and create more personalized treatments. The Abu Dhabi Biobank represents a shift from treating illness after it occurs to identifying risks before symptoms appear.

The facility is a partnership between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and M42, a healthcare technology company. Located in Masdar City, the net-zero facility can store more than 100,000 cord blood samples and up to five million biological samples total.

How does it work?

The biobank operates as a "living platform" that continuously collects and connects different types of health information:

• Biological samples like blood, tissue, and cord blood
• Genetic data from DNA analysis
• Clinical records from hospital visits and treatments
• Lifestyle information about diet, exercise, and environment

This data comes from a population representing more than 200 nationalities, creating a diverse dataset for medical research. The facility also includes a national eye bank to support local transplantation and reduce dependence on imported tissue.

Why does it matter?

Traditional healthcare typically responds to disease after symptoms appear. The biobank enables a different approach by identifying patterns that predict illness before it develops. This allows doctors to intervene earlier when treatments are often more effective and less expensive.

"Healthcare is moving from reacting to disease, to anticipating and preventing it," said Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. "The Abu Dhabi Biobank enables this shift by connecting data, science and care in a way that directly improves people's lives."

The diverse population data also helps ensure medical research reflects real-world genetics rather than being limited to specific ethnic groups, which has been a problem in medical research historically.

The context

Biobanks have become important tools for precision medicine, which tailors treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup and other factors. Major biobanks in countries like the UK and Iceland have already led to significant medical discoveries.

The Abu Dhabi facility positions the UAE as a regional leader in this field. "By bringing together biological samples, AI, genomics and real-world data, we are enabling faster insights, better decisions and ultimately improved outcomes at scale," said Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive Officer of M42.

The biobank was inaugurated with senior leadership from both organizations present, along with representatives from healthcare providers, research institutions, and global industry partners.