Mr Alabbar signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-based bio-medicine pioneer Dr Susan Lim, at Arab Health 2005, to set up Dubai Stem Cell Technologies i (DSCTi) and the Dubai Centre for Robotic Surgery (DCRS).
The launch of DSCTi and DCRS is in line with the vision to place Dubai at the cutting edge of biotechnology and life sciences research and development. Mr. Alabbar, who is chairman of DSCTi and DCRS, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Susan Lim and her team to begin their groundbreaking work in Dubai. She is a very special addition to Dubai and is credited with conducting the first liver transplant and the first robotic surgery in Asia.”
The specific mission of DSCTi, is to derive differentiated cell types primarily from adult stem cells for use in cell replacement therapies. The facility in Dubai will act as an incubator for research scientists and a centre for creativity and development.
The aim is to develop a robust human adult stem cell technology platform and new patents and build up an intellectual property portfolio. The immediate goal of the DSCTi is to begin conducting clinical trials with its first therapeutic differentiated adult stem cell lineage before 2009.
DCRS will be the first robotic surgery-capable institution in the region and will offer all the benefits of the technology, including minimum invasiveness, early recovery times and precision. It will provide the region’s population with immediate access to a state of the art robotic surgery facility in their own country.
Dr Lim, CEO of DSCTi and DCRS, said: “I would like to thank Mr. Alabbar for his support and encouragement in setting up DSCTi and DCRS in Dubai. His guidance, leadership and support will be critical in realising the overall vision of Dubai Centre for Robotic Surgery and Dubai Stem Cell Technologies i.
Positive spin-offs from the work of DSCTi will include the use of stem cells to yield insulin-producing cells to cure diabetes, a cells to combat central nervous system disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and treat injuries and diseases that afflict the aged. It will have immediate access to the laboratories at the National University of Singapore (NUS), which boast world class facilities in stem cell research.
The benefits from the establishment of DCRS will be felt in related areas such as telemedicine and tele-robotic surgery and having the facility in Dubai will attract biomedical-related companies such as surgical instruments providers, designers, and businesses involved in training and consumables integral for robotics. The activity that will result from it should confirm Dubai as the region’s biotechnology hub.