THE MIDDLE EAST’S
29. Yendry Ventura
• CEO
Company: Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC)
Nationality: Emirati-Cuban
Residence: UAE
Category: Integrated
Ventura cofounded ADSCC in 2018, becoming CEO in 2022. ADSCC is an integrated medical and research institution focused on cellular therapy, regenerative medicine, translational research, and healthcare innovation. In 2025, Ventura led the development of the Middle East’s first virus-free, clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In April 2026, ADSCC pioneered a virus-free technique to generate brain stem cells from a patient’s own tissue. Ventura was the principal investigator of the UAE’s first stem cell-based clinical trial for UAECell-19, a methodology using stem cells to treat COVID-19 patients, with ADSCC holding the IP.