TEHRAN – Iran has made notable progress in biotechnology and medical technology, expanding its production capabilities and aiming to reduce reliance on imports in the health sector, officials said on Sunday. 
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Mostafa Ghane’i, Secretary of the Biotechnology, Health, and Medical Technologies Headquarters, highlighted recent achievements, particularly in stem cell therapy. 
“Last year, we had only one stem cell therapy product on the market and ranked twelfth globally. This year, with five products, we have reached eighth place worldwide,” Ghane’i said.
He added that Iran’s goal is to become one of the top five countries in stem cell therapies and to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
Iran faces economic challenges due to illegal sanctions that have affected access to medical supplies and foreign currency reserves. In response, the government is focusing on domestic production of critical medical products such as insulin and plasma.
“These two products account for the largest share of foreign currency spending in the health sector,” Ghane’i explained. “More than $300 million is spent annually on plasma imports. Our target is to complete production infrastructure within two years and eliminate imports of both insulin and plasma.”
Ghane’i emphasized that developing local technologies is essential for national independence in healthcare, especially under current sanctions. “Self-reliance not only saves foreign currency but also redirects subsidies previously paid to foreign producers back into Iran’s economy,” he said.
Iran ranks fifth in Asia in the production of biopharmaceutical drugs, according to Ghane’i. “Even during the toughest sanctions, none of our biological medicines faced shortages, demonstrating strong domestic capacity,” he added.
Food security remains a priority, with initiatives underway to reduce dependency on imported day-old chicks. “We have started a project to genetically improve the native Aryan chicken to enhance feed efficiency and reduce import needs,” Ghane’i said. He also mentioned the application of advanced technologies in fisheries to increase productivity amid climate challenges.
However, Ghane’i pointed to some obstacles in technology development, including a lack of clear responsibility for the execution of several important contracts signed years ago. “The fragmented nature of technology development has weakened our competitive advantage,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ghane’i outlined a strategic vision for the biotechnology sector’s role in the national economy. “Policy documents forecast that technology should contribute 7% to the country’s GDP. With an overall economic growth target of 8%, about 1.6% should come from technological innovation,” he said.
He called for a comprehensive approach involving investment in research and development, legal reforms, eliminating corruption, controlling unnecessary imports, and focusing on strategic technologies. “Without coordination, these plans risk becoming mere slogans,” he warned.
Ghane’i concluded by stressing that true technological progress requires simultaneous improvements in infrastructure, legislation, investment, and execution. “Only then can technology become a driving force for Iran’s economic growth,” he said.