Abu Dhabi has recorded a major medical milestone by becoming the first place in the world to administer ITVISMA (onasemnogene abeparvovec) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), strengthening the emirate’s standing as a global centre for advanced healthcare.
The breakthrough treatment was delivered at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), part of SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate. The therapy was developed by Novartis.
ITVISMA is a one-time gene replacement therapy designed to address the root genetic cause of SMA. It is approved for patients aged two years and older who have a confirmed SMN1 gene mutation. The treatment replaces the missing or faulty SMN1 gene, aiming to improve motor function and reduce the long-term reliance on repeated therapies.
The UAE granted accelerated approval for ITVISMA on November 25, 2025. This move positioned the country among the first globally, after the United States, to approve the therapy, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s focus on early adoption of advanced medical innovation.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of DoH, described the achievement as a reflection of the emirate’s long-term healthcare vision. She said, “This milestone reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to delivering world class care and strengthening its position as a global leader in healthcare driven by genomics and precision medicine. By administering ITVISMA, we are proud to be among the first to provide this innovative treatment, further reinforcing our role as a leader and accelerator in advanced and innovative healthcare. Our priority remains safeguarding the health of our community members and beyond ensuring access to cutting-edge therapies for rare diseases, supporting the emirate’s standing as a leading destination for medical tourism. This achievement is just one of many as we remain dedicated to accelerating treatment to life-changing therapies and providing patients with access to the latest advancements in healthcare.”
SKMC leadership highlighted the role of collaboration in achieving the world-first delivery. Bader Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer at SKMC, said, “Delivering the world’s first ITVISMA treatment at SKMC is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s integrated healthcare ecosystem under the leadership of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. In line with PureHealth’s vision and DoH’s guidance in defining seamless care pathways, , and facilitating collaboration with partners such as Novartis has enabled us to bring this life-changing therapy to our patients safely and efficiently.”
Novartis also pointed to the patient impact of the milestone. Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of GCC Cluster at Novartis, said, “Today’s milestone is ultimately about patients and families. By working closely with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and SKMC, we are proud to support accelerated access to breakthrough therapies such as ITVISMA, and to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a regional and global reference for advanced neuromuscular care.”
