Abu Dhabi has achieved a landmark in medical treatment with the first administration of a gene therapy for inherited blood disorders in the United Arab Emirates.
On January 5, 2026, a patient received the therapy known as CASGEVY, which uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to correct defective DNA sequences responsible for conditions such as sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Inherited blood disorders like these have traditionally been managed with supportive care, including blood transfusions, iron chelation and pain relief; this therapy represents a shift toward correcting the underlying genetic cause of the diseases.
CASGEVY was administered at Yas Clinic in Khalifa City through a coordinated effort involving the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), the clinic itself and biotechnology firm Vertex Pharmaceuticals, under oversight from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). The process involves extracting a patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells, editing the faulty gene in the laboratory using CRISPR-Cas9, and re-implanting the modified cells so they can produce healthy hemoglobin.
The introduction of this gene therapy is expected to transform care for patients with sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia by moving treatment from long-term symptom management toward targeted genetic correction. These conditions are relatively common in the Middle East, and the availability of CASGEVY positions Abu Dhabi as a regional centre for advanced genomic medicine.
This development follows regulatory approvals of the therapy in other countries and reflects broader efforts by UAE health authorities to integrate cutting-edge medical technologies into the healthcare system. The rollout will initially focus on specialised treatment centres capable of delivering complex gene therapy procedures, with plans for phased expansion to increase access.
The successful implementation of CASGEVY in Abu Dhabi marks a significant step in personalised medicine and highlights the emirate’s growing role in advanced healthcare and life sciences innovation.
