TEHRAN – Supported by the Vice-presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, three national health projects in advanced medical sector are being developed.

These technological projects include development of regenerative medicine and cell therapy, national infrastructure for manufacturing and monitoring quality of cellular products, and personalized medicine, IRNA reported.

The Contract Research Organization (CRO), the regenerative medicine and cell therapy project, is being developed in oncology department of Shariati Hospital, where patients can refer to for pre-clinical and clinical tests. 

CROs are specialized firms that support pharmaceutical companies throughout various stages of drug development. Their services include clinical research and clinical trial management, non-clinical or animal toxicology studies, clinical and data management.

With the approval of six new advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), Iran has showcased breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, improving the country’s global ranking from 12 to 7.

According to the latest global report, out of 148 ATMPs approved in 2025 under the supervision of 12 internationally recognized regulatory bodies, seven were made in Iran, placing it among the top 10 countries in the field, IRNA reported.

The number of licensed products in regenerative medicine has grown from one product in the Iranian year 1402 (March 2023-March 2024) to seven this year, which started in March 2025.

These include cell therapy, issue engineering, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy products, which are used to treat different diseases such as vitiligo, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), cerebral palsy (CP), burns, diabetic foot ulcers, arthritis, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B cell ALL). Some of these high-tech medical products have export potential.

The second project, the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), in Emam Khomeini Hospital, is expanding, as well. The center is planned to turn into a national, science authority in the country. 

CDMO provides contract development and manufacturing services and has expertise in formulation development, analytical testing, process scale-up, and quality assurance. It will be responsible for assessing and approving the quality of cellular products in different centers and laboratories across the country. 

The development of personalized medicine, the third project, will be pursued in Endocrine and Metabolism Research Institute in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The personalized medicine relies on analyzing vast datasets encompassing a multitude of variables such as patients’ demographics, clinical histories, genetic profiles, and developing a specialized treatment for the patients, particularly those who suffer from cancers. 

Notable progress in cell therapy

Iran has made significant progress in the field of stem cells and cell therapy, advancing to eighth place in the world from 12th in the previous year.

“Last year, we had only one cell therapy product on the market and ranked 12th in the world, but this year we have reached eighth place in the world with 5 products,” according to Mostafa Qanei, an official with the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology.

“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,” he added.