Iran (IMNA) - What began as scientific exploration has evolved into a vital national asset. With substantial investment and institutional backing, Iran has developed health biotechnology capabilities rivaling many advanced economies. This progress includes establishing domestic production of essential medical goods, such as insulin and plasma, which formerly were entirely imported and accounted for over $300 million in annual foreign currency expenditure. The government aims to finalize full domestic production capacity for these products within two years, thereby lowering costs and mitigating vulnerabilities in the healthcare system.
This biotech advancement carries broader implications beyond economics, symbolizing national resilience under persistent economic pressure. Notably, Iran ranked eighth globally in stem cell research and treatment in 2025, reflecting its growing scientific prominence. Advanced treatments using plasma technology for wound care are increasingly accessible nationwide, with nine specialized clinics, including five newly opened centers, now operational.
Simultaneously, biotechnology is enhancing Iran’s export profile beyond the traditional oil and gas sector. Official biotech export revenue stands around $200 million annually, though informal trade may push that figure closer to $500 million. Iran exports biotech products—including vaccines and biosimilar drugs—to at least 17 countries, primarily within West and Central Asia, leveraging a unique infrastructure for recombinant drugs that grants it a competitive edge in the region. These exports, modest compared to oil but strategically significant, showcase Iran’s ability to deliver high-value, domestically innovated goods despite sanctions.
Biotechnology also extends its impact into agriculture, addressing critical food security challenges exacerbated by environmental pressures, climate change, and population growth. Iran employs genetic engineering to develop drought-resistant crops and reduce reliance on imported livestock inputs, modernizing its agricultural sector. This effort is seen as a matter of national security, ensuring food independence in a geopolitically sensitive context.
A clear strategic vision underlies these efforts. Iran’s national development plans target a 7 percent contribution of technology, including biotechnology, to GDP. Institutions like the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, alongside research universities and over 7,000 knowledge-based companies, are key drivers in converting scientific breakthroughs into market-ready products and public benefits.
Challenges persist, including sanctions limiting access to some technologies and regulatory hurdles slowing commercialization. Yet Iran’s gains in scientific talent, strategic planning, and national determination have created undeniable momentum. By investing robustly in biotechnology, Iran is fostering a self-sufficient economy and laying foundations for sustainable growth and innovation-led resilience.
Iran’s biotechnology journey exemplifies how science can become a cornerstone of economic strength, national dignity, and geopolitical influence, representing a model of what is achievable when a nation fully mobilizes its own capabilities and knowledge leadership.
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