Iran climbs to 8th place in global stem cell, cell therapy ranking
From one product to five in a year, officials target top five position globally
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran has advanced from 12th to 8th place worldwide in stem cell and cell therapy production, expanding its range from one product last year to five, a senior science official said.
“Our goal is to be among the top five countries in the world in this field and eliminate the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment,” said Mostafa Qanei of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology during a press conference in Tehran.
The announcement came alongside details of 20 new health-related technology projects planned for the current Iranian year, ending in March 2026, reported Tehran Times.
According to Saeed Sarkar, another senior official, these projects include producing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) drugs, developing early detection kits for digestive cancers, and creating other health products expected to save up to $40 million in foreign currency.
Sarkar said efforts are also underway to enhance the effectiveness of medicinal plants using nanotechnology—for example, nanocapsules loaded with curcumin—and to conduct clinical trials to validate the effects of traditional medicine for official approval.
On artificial intelligence, Sarkar noted that AI tools are being deployed in radiology and pathology to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce costs, and expand access to healthcare.
He described AI as having “unprecedented potential” to speed up and refine clinical decision-making while cutting expenses and risks.
In February, Food and Drug Administration chief Mehdi Pirsalehi confirmed that Iranian-made cell therapy products had received FDA approval, with some gene therapy products in clinical trials.
He said 99 percent of domestic medicines are produced locally, with biotech products manufactured using indigenized technology.
Qanei added in April that integrating AI into healthcare is a priority, aiming to cut treatment costs by up to 40 percent. He stressed the need for a clear roadmap and comprehensive approach, pledging support for experts to foster innovation.
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