Iran Uses Nanotechnology to Produce 3 Home-Made Advanced Cancer, Fungal Drugs

“At present, nearly 140 health products based on modern and nano technologies are produced in the country, and some of these products are exported abroad,” Sarkar said.

“Last year, three anti-cancer and anti-acute fungal infections drugs, which previously had a total import of over $6.5 million, were produced and presented to the market with domestic technology. These three drugs include a drug for treating leukemia, a drug for treating pancreatic cancer, and an injectable drug for fungal infections,” he added.

Sarkar also announced the start of implementation of 20 technological development projects this year, including the SMA drug, diagnostic kits for gastrointestinal cancer, and health products.

Iran has made nanotechnology a priority in recent years, achieving remarkable success. The nanotechnology research website StatNano has ranked Iran as fourth in the world in nanotechnology publications.

Iran’s nanotechnology market has experienced significant and sustained growth over the past decade, and according to official figures, its average annual growth rate from 2013 to 2023 reached nearly 97%.

The average annual growth rate of 97% in the nano market means that the sales volume of nano-based products in Iran has doubled almost every year. This significant growth occurred while the largest jump was recorded in 2020 with a growth of 160%, and the growth in 2023 with 102%, exceeding the set targets (40%).

Despite the impact of factors like the increase in the exchange rate and inflation on the country’s economic indicators since 2017, Iran’s nanotechnology market has continued to enjoy sustained growth, and even the share of exports in this field reached 57,100 billion rials in 2023 (equivalent to 9.2% of the total market).

In addition to the product market, the nanotechnology equipment market has also grown significantly in recent years, specially in 2020, 2021, and 2023. As in 2023, after a period of decline, it experienced a growth of nearly 60%, and devices like ‘freeze dryers’ and ‘sputtering coating’ have been at the top of the best-selling equipment.

These statistics provide a clear picture of the dynamism, exports capacity, and upward trend of nanotechnology in Iran, which can be the basis for larger policymaking in the field of science, technology, and knowledge-based economy.

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