UAE and Israeli Companies Sign Deal on Stem Cell Research

(Bloomberg) --

Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centers signed an accord with Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. to cooperate on research and development, the second such deal after the United Arab Emirates and Israel began normalizing relations.

The memorandum of understanding “enables both parties to capitalise on their expertise in cell therapies & deliver regenerative medicine solutions,” Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said in a tweet.

UAE-based APEX National Investment had earlier agreed to conduct research on the coronavirus with Israel’s TeraGroup.

The UAE last week announced that it’s moving toward normalizing relations with Israel, joining Egypt and Jordan as the only Arab countries to do so, in what was hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as “a truly historic moment.”

Since then, the peace moves between Israel and the U.A.E. have gathered pace as Israeli President Reuven Rivlin invited UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed to visit Jerusalem. Israel’s technology minister on Monday predicted imminent collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation in cyber security and space research.

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