Iran unveils homegrown drug ‘Spartina’ to treat type 2 diabetes

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — An Iranian knowledge-based company has introduced a domestically produced medicine designed to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea, marking a new step in the country’s pharmaceutical self-reliance.

The drug, branded as Spartina, was unveiled during a ceremony at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, according to Press TV Iran. 

It contains tirzepatide, a dual-acting compound developed locally, which targets both gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss.

Professor Alireza Esteghamati, head of the endocrinology department at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, said obesity should be recognized as a chronic condition that requires long-term care, similar to diabetes and hypertension. 

He noted that older medications had limited success rates of under 10%, while bariatric surgery achieved about 35%. Recent advances, however, have boosted the effectiveness of weight-loss drugs to between 25% and 30%.

“Spartina not only reduces weight but also lowers the three-month average blood sugar by 2.5% and has secured authorization for treating obesity and sleep apnea in obese patients,” Esteghamati explained. 

He added that the drug carries no major prescription restrictions except for rare cases involving medullary thyroid tumors or hereditary endocrine disorders such as MEN2.

The launch underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical production. 

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country has shifted from dependency on imports to producing nearly 97% of its medical needs at home, with growing capacity for exports.