TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) says heavy water derivatives and plasma medicine are opening new frontiers in drug development and medical treatment, marking a major step in the application of nuclear technology to public health.

AEOI chief Mohammad Eslami said on Tuesday that the field of heavy water derivatives has become a transformative area for pharmaceuticals and now constitutes a major share of the organization’s activities.

He announced that a new cooperation agreement has been signed to advance plasma medicine research and national projects, describing it as “a document of collective will” to strengthen healthcare through advanced technology.

Eslami added that under a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health, clinical trials that were previously concentrated at Tehran University will be expanded to selected universities across the country.

“This will accelerate the spread of plasma-based technologies to different provinces,” he said, “ensuring that all Iranians can benefit equally and simultaneously from these advances.”

The remarks came during ceremonies marking National Physician’s Day, where Eslami also highlighted the AEOI’s success in producing more than 70 types of radiopharmaceuticals, now supplied to over 220 nuclear medicine centers across Iran and exported abroad. He said these products are used in diagnostics, palliative care, and therapy, while another 20 radiopharmaceuticals are currently under research and clinical trials.

Currently, Iran produces more than 70 types of radiopharmaceuticals, supplying over 220 nuclear medicine centers nationwide. These products, Eslami said, cover three categories: diagnostic, therapeutic, and palliative.

In the diagnostic field, advances are pushing “the frontiers of knowledge,” improving precision so doctors can better examine patients’ bodies. On the therapeutic side, he added, the focus is on easing patients’ suffering while providing more effective treatments.

Eslami revealed that around 20 additional radiopharmaceuticals are currently under research and in clinical trial phases, reflecting Iran’s growing capacity to integrate nuclear science into healthcare.