Dubai medical team secures pioneering treatment for infant with rare epilepsy

A medical team in Dubai has successfully halted severe epileptic seizures in an infant with a rare genetic disorder, using an experimental treatment that stopped the episodes within 30 minutes of the first dose.

The child, Adnan, had been experiencing around 110 seizures a day and had undergone seven different treatment approaches without sufficient success.

After advanced genetic testing identified the underlying cause of his condition, specialists at King's College Hospital London Dubai sought access to the experimental medication ABS-1230 through a compassionate use programme.

Adnan received the treatment on September 14, and doctors reported that his seizures stopped within half an hour.

He was discharged from hospital a week later and has remained seizure-free during follow-up assessments, with doctors also noting progress in his growth and development.

According to the treatment's developer, Adnan is the youngest patient in the world to receive ABS-1230 and only the second infant globally to be treated with the medication.

The case involved close cooperation between King's College Hospital London Dubai, the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), enabling the treatment to be made available locally within weeks of the request being submitted.

Doctors say the medication remains experimental and is still being studied in international clinical trials.

They stress that the outcome relates to a single patient and further monitoring is needed to assess the long-term results.

The medical team, led by Professor Ubaid Shah, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist at King’s College Hospital London, continues to monitor the child's neurological condition and overall development.

"A child born here in Dubai did not have to travel to London, Boston or Sydney to receive this advanced treatment. The treatment came to him here, which makes this case an important moment for healthcare in Dubai," said Shah.

The case highlights the growing role of genetic testing and precision medicine in treating rare conditions, while also demonstrating Dubai's ability to provide patients with access to emerging medical therapies.

"The case reflects Dubai’s vision of placing people at the centre of healthcare development, enabling medical innovation and expanding access to advanced treatments within the emirate. It is also a practical example of integration between federal and local authorities and the private sector," said Asma Al Sharif, CEO of the DHA's Health Regulation Sector.

"This experience reflects the importance of integration between health entities in the UAE and the system’s ability to deal flexibly and responsibly with complex medical cases, supporting patients’ access to the treatments they need while ensuring their safety," added Ahmad Alhumairi, Director of the Import and Export Department of EDE.

Kimberley Pierce, CEO of King’s College Hospital London – Dubai, said: "What has been achieved shows what is possible when advanced genetic diagnostics, specialist medical expertise, scientific research and regulatory collaboration come together around the needs of one patient."

A Dubai medical team stops severe epileptic seizures in an infant with a rare genetic disorder within 30 minutes of experimental treatment. The treatment was made available in Dubai through close collaboration between the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Dubai Health Authority… pic.twitter.com/ssvNC5bvOP

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 2, 2026