Iran Breaks Ground in Pancreatic Cancer Drug Development
WANA (Aug 11) – Pancreatic cancer, one of the most complex and aggressive forms of cancer, has long posed a formidable challenge to global medicine. Now, Iranian specialists have announced a breakthrough, successfully overcoming the scientific and technical barriers to producing effective drugs for its treatment.
Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It occurs when malignant cells grow and multiply within the pancreas, disrupting its vital functions, including the production of digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels.
One of the key challenges in combating this cancer is late diagnosis. Early stages often show no clear symptoms, and patients typically seek medical help only after the tumor has advanced, making treatment more difficult. Potential signs — including abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, jaundice, and digestive issues — are frequently mistaken for other illnesses.
Limited treatment options, high drug resistance, and complex biological mechanisms set pancreatic cancer apart from other malignancies. These challenges have prompted Iran’s knowledge-based companies to focus on producing advanced drugs for this disease.
Iran’s Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment with Stem Cell Exosomes
WANA (Jan 04) – A knowledge-based company in Iran has developed a method for eliminating cancer cells using stem cell excretions, without damaging healthy cells. According to the company’s researchers, this approach eliminates the side effects of chemotherapy. Two weeks after receiving exosome injections, patients begin to show signs of improvement, including better general health. […]
From Nano-Medicine to Electro-Chemotherapy
Recent innovations in treatment include the development of nano-based drugs and the use of electro-chemotherapy devices (ECT). Iran is the first Asian country to establish a production line for such devices, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for this complex cancer.
According to Saeed Sarkar, head of the Strategic Technology Development Center at the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, three advanced domestically produced drugs are now in use, replacing imports worth more than $6.5 million annually.
“These drugs used to cost up to $800 per injection when imported,” Sarkar said in a press briefing on Sunday. “Now, with local production, the price has dropped to around $25–30 per injection, and they are covered by insurance.” This represents a 90% price reduction compared to foreign alternatives.
Nano-based cancer drugs developed in Iran have already saved the country over $7 million in foreign currency. One of the key medicines, Ulesta Orin, was created for leukemia treatment and follows the technological path of Imatinib, a globally recognized targeted therapy.
Iranian pharmaceutical factory. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Imatinib itself is a crucial treatment for certain types of leukemia and gastrointestinal tumors, working by blocking the growth and spread of cancer cells. Another recent achievement is the domestic production of Vinorelbine, used in breast and stomach cancer therapy.
High-Value Medicine as a Strategic Priority
Iran’s Supreme Leader has emphasized that, alongside national unity, scientific and technological progress is essential for strengthening the country. In health-related technologies — closely linked with advanced engineering, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence — the benefits extend beyond public health to boosting industrial development and non-oil exports.
Official figures from the Food and Drug Administration show that 99% of Iran’s pharmaceutical needs are met through domestic production, with only 1% imported. However, that 1% accounts for 18% of the market value, reflecting the high cost and specialized nature of imported medicines.
Experts stress the need to prioritize the domestic production of expensive, high-value drugs. For example, recent investments in biopharmaceuticals have saved $3.8 billion in import costs. Biopharmaceuticals — derived from biological sources such as proteins, antibodies, engineered viruses, or living cells — require advanced and collaborative technologies beyond the capabilities of conventional pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Iran Develops Rapid Test Kits for Colorectal Cancer Detection
WANA (Jan 01) – A leading Iranian technology company has developed and introduced rapid test kits for detecting colorectal cancer, enabling swift and efficient screening. So far, over 600,000 people have used these kits under a national screening program, with plans to expand their application across the country. Rising Global Cancer Rates According to […]
Last year, Iranian knowledge-based companies launched 140 health products based on modern technologies, some of which have entered global markets, competing with top international brands. Currently, 40 of the 150 most important biotechnological drugs are produced domestically, with exports reaching 35 countries.
Collaboration Speeds Path from Lab to Market
The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology attributes much of this success to close cooperation between knowledge-based firms, university research centers, and leading hospitals. This synergy has significantly reduced the time required to move from the research phase to commercial production.
Policymakers are now being urged to implement a multi-layered strategy to strengthen the value chain for advanced medicines, including funding applied research for high-cost drugs, expanding insurance coverage for advanced therapies and medical devices, and focusing on domestic production of key pharmaceutical raw materials.
Experts say that with sustained investment and policy support, Iran could achieve its Seventh Development Plan goal of €1 billion in annual pharmaceutical exports — a sharp increase from the current $136 million — while improving access to life-saving treatments at home and abroad.
Iranian pharmaceutical factory. Social media/ WANA News Agency
