TEHRAN – Iran has become the second-largest country in the world for umbilical cord blood storage, with more than 250,000 samples registered in its stem cell bank, officials said on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference for World Umbilical Cord Blood Day at the Royan Research Institute in Tehran, Mortaza Zarabi, CEO of Royan Technology Company, highlighted the country’s progress in stem cell research and clinical applications.
“Iran has grown into the largest and most reputable stem cell storage center in the region, building on the pioneering research of the late Dr. Kazemi Ashtiani,” Zarabi said. 
“We now maintain a private bank with around 250,000 cord blood samples and a public bank with nearly 5,000 samples. This achievement reflects 20 years of effort in technology development, clinical applications, and innovative infrastructure.”
Zarabi traced the beginnings of Iran’s stem cell research to 2002, when the country first entered the field. 
“Dr. Kazemi Ashtiani recognized the revolutionary potential of stem cells in medicine and pushed for serious engagement in this area,” he said, noting that backing from Iran’s Supreme Leader after Dr. Kazemi’s proposal was a turning point for the field.
In addition to cord blood, the institute now collects and stores stem cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood, adipose tissue, umbilical tissue, and dental pulp. 
Stem cells, he explained, are undifferentiated cells capable of developing into specialized cells, and are categorized into hematopoietic (blood-forming) and non-hematopoietic types, which are used in treating blood disorders, neurological conditions, orthopedic diseases, cardiovascular issues, cerebral palsy, and autism.
Zarabi highlighted that postnatal materials, including cord blood, placenta, umbilical tissue, fetal membranes, and cord blood serum, are valuable sources for developing therapeutic products such as “Amiker,” cord blood PRP, and placental extracts.
The Royan Institute has conducted extensive clinical trials, including studies on cerebral palsy, autism, osteoarthritis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 
Cord blood and other stem cell transplants have been performed for hematologic and orthopedic patients, with more than 40 patients treated for conditions such as thalassemia, leukemia, immunodeficiencies, and congenital anemia.
Approximately 1,850 patients have had their stem cells stored, and nearly 900 have received transplants. Non-related donor transplants are also performed. In neurological cases, around 60 patients with cerebral palsy or autism have received treatment. Hematologic transplants have achieved over 80% success rates, according to Zarabi.
Zarabi said Iran ranks alongside the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as a leading regional hub for cord blood storage. Globally, he added, the market is dominated by a few U.S. and European companies, but Iran’s storage volume and international activity place it second worldwide.
“The global ranking is based on sample numbers: banks with fewer than 100,000 samples are ranked third, 100,000 to 400,000 second, and over 400,000 first,” he said. “Crossing 250,000 samples places us in the second tier despite sanctions and infrastructure challenges.”
Royan has also developed cryogenic storage tanks domestically, produced the first wound-healing product derived from fetal membranes (“Amiker”), and established Iran’s largest genetic database with 100,000 entries. The company operates 46 collection offices nationwide, ensuring broad access and positioning Iran as the only registered private cord blood bank in the country.
Zarabi emphasized that Royan goes beyond storage, facilitating clinical applications of stem cells. Treatments for osteoarthritis using products derived from umbilical tissue, as well as regenerative therapies for burns, diabetic foot ulcers, and corneal surgeries, are now available.
“This reflects two decades of continuous effort toward self-sufficiency, technology development, and advancing modern medicine in Iran,” he said.