Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre. It is now seeking to expand operations. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre. It is now seeking to expand operations. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre. It is now seeking to expand operations. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre. It is now seeking to expand operations. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre treats six cancer patients using bone marrow transplant treatment

All patients are recovering well

The National

February 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre has treated six cancer patients using bone marrow transplant techniques since it started the programme last year.

Treatment can take from 19 days to a month, and all six patients are recovering well, state news agency Wam reported.

The programme started in August 2020, and patients with different types of blood malignancies such as plasma cell leukaemia and Hodgkin Lymphoma were treated.

Stem cell therapy promotes the repair of abnormal or injured tissue. Doctors can manipulate the cells into the type the patient needs and inject them where repair is necessary. The cells can be taken from a matching donor or from the patient.

The centre is now admitting more patients and is planning an expansion to also treat patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immune deficiencies.

It has also been involved in the fight against coronavirus and has received international press coverage for its research into a treatment.

Their groundbreaking work has involved taking stem cells from a patient’s blood and returning them, with a nebuliser, as a fine mist to the lungs.

There they help regenerate lung cells and improve the body's immune response by preventing an overreaction to the infection that can damage healthy cells.

The centre was established in 2019 to meet growing domestic and regional demand for highly specialised medical services and treatments.

Areas of expertise include immunology, haematology, clinical stem cell therapy, molecular biology, immunotherapy, orthopedics and urology.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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How to apply for a drone permit
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