In May 2020, the UAE successfully applied a treatment via stem cells to mitigate COVID-19 infections. The treatment involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s blood and reintroducing them after activating them. This helps in regenerating lung cells and enhancing the immune response and keeping it from damaging the healthy cells.

The treatment was given to 73 COVID-19 patients by making them inhale the treatment into their lungs after it has been converted into a fine mist.

Based on the initial phase of clinical trials, the treatment demonstrated its safety. None of the patients who have received the treatment reported immediate side effects and no interactions were found with the conventional treatment protocols for COVID-19 patients.

Trials to demonstrate the efficacy of the treatment are ongoing and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The treatment was developed by a team of doctors and researchers at Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center-ADSCC. Ministry of Economy granted a patent to the centre for the innovative method in which the stem cells are collected.

Read WAM’s coverage about COVID-19 treatment with stem cells.