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| Iran plans to mass-produce 15 types of anti-cancer drugs |
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 TEHRAN- Iran plans to boost its capacities and capabilities in a bid to make a huge and rapid advancement in drug production by synthesizing 15 types of anti-cancer medicines, Iranian Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi announced on Saturday. "15 types of monoclonal anti-body drugs are being synthesized with the help of the Scientific Department of the Presidential Office, using hi-tech technology," Vahid Dastjerdi said. Noting that these anti-cancer drugs are now produced by only 2-3 western companies, she raised the possibility that the Iranian-made monoclonal antibodies would hit the market within the next two months. Monoclonal antibody drugs are a relatively new innovation in cancer treatment. Earlier this year, Iranian scientists succeeded in producing new medications for treating various types of cancers, viral diseases and arthritis( joint inflammation) with 100% positive results. "The medicine has been synthesized through a new and unique formula and has the capability to destroy all malignant cancerous cells," Head of the research team Qassem Tak Dehqan told reporters in April. Iran has taken wide strides in science and technology, particularly in medical and medicinal fields, during the recent years. In January, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced that the country's scientists have managed to synthesize two new types of radiomedicines to treat malignant types of cancer. "The Iranian scientists and researchers of the AEOI's Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center succeeded in producing two new radiomedicines for the first time to cure malignant cancers," AEOI Spokesman Hamid Khadem Qaemi said at the time. He named the radiomedicines as Lutetium-177 Phosponate (EDTMP) for bone pain palliation in metastatic prostate cancer and Iodine 131 Chlorotoxin to treat malignant glioma. Also, Iran in December unveiled five different radiomedicine projects with applications for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a number of diseases. In September 2010, Iran announced that it had planned to synthesize 20 different types of radiomedicine inside the country. "Iran is now ready to produce 20 radiomedicines and we will provide the 20% (enriched nuclear) fuel, needed for the production of these medicines this year," AEOI Deputy Head for Planning, International and Parliamentary Affairs Massoud Akhavan-Fard told FNA at the time. In addition to the Tehran research reactor which has long been used for radioisotope production, Iran also plans to build four other research reactors in the other parts of the country, he added. (Source: FNA)   Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
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