"health" Successfully treats the first case of a rare immune disorder using an innovative drug
Al Ain, March 27 / WAM / SEHA, a subsidiary of the PureHealth Group, has successfully treated a young Emirati woman diagnosed with immunoglobulin 4 disease, a rare and complex immune disorder, using the drug inebilizumab (Oblizna).
This achievement represents one of the first cases in the Middle East where this new and newly approved treatment has been introduced, cementing Abu Dhabi’s pioneering position as a leading destination for healthcare, life sciences, innovation, and advancing rare disease care.
Under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, which continues to focus on ensuring that patients across Abu Dhabi have access to the latest internationally approved and scientifically evidence-based treatment options, the drug “Inebilizumab” was introduced via intravenous injection in the Rheumatology Department at SEHA’s Tawam Hospital, following its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in April 2025, as the first monotherapy for IgM-4 disease.
Immunoglobulin 4 disease is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s organs and tissues. Its symptoms are often unexplained swelling or masses in several organs of the body, such as the salivary glands, pancreas, kidneys, or lungs. This disease can lead to severe pain, fatigue, deterioration in quality of life, and organ damage if not detected and treated early.
Traditional treatment options were limited to cortisone, and other treatment options may have limited effectiveness or cause side effects.
The drug inebilizumab opens new horizons in personalized medicine as it targets specific immune cells, namely B cells, that are believed to be responsible for the disease, providing patients with a new opportunity for long-term control while reducing side effects.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, confirmed that this achievement reflects Abu Dhabi’s continued commitment to developing life sciences, precision medicine, and specialized care for rare diseases, consolidating its position as a global center for innovation in health.
This achievement confirms the commitment of SEHA and PureHealth to advance clinical excellence in the field of rheumatology and rare disease care, in addition to confirming the commitment of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to enhance patients’ early access to advanced treatments within a safe health care system that puts the patient at the top of its list of priorities.
Together, these efforts contribute to consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading regional center in life sciences, innovation, and providing the latest health care services.
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