Iran Reports 19.7% Growth in Pharmaceutical Exports, Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Iran's pharmaceutical industry has marked substantial progress in both export growth and advanced therapy development, with pharmaceutical exports reaching $104.6 million in the first half of 2024, representing a 19.7% increase compared to the previous year. The export volume grew by 15% to 49,400 tons during the same period.

FDA director Mehdi Pirsalehi announced that Iran has successfully developed cell therapy products that have received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, several gene therapy products are currently progressing through clinical trials, highlighting the country's advancement in cutting-edge therapeutic development.

Domestic Production and Biotechnology Achievements

The Iranian pharmaceutical sector has achieved remarkable self-sufficiency, with domestic knowledge-based companies producing approximately 99% of the country's medicine supply. These companies have successfully leveraged indigenous technology to manufacture biotechnology products, effectively meeting national healthcare needs.

Export Growth and Future Plans

The pharmaceutical export landscape involves 345 companies engaged in various aspects of the industry, including the production of medicines, supplements, and raw materials. Seyyed Ali Maboudi, a Food and Drug Administration official, outlined ambitious growth targets for the sector:

• Short-term goal: Double current export volumes
• Long-term goal: Achieve a tenfold increase in exports
• Mid-term target: 30% increase in pharmaceutical exports

Import Dynamics

While focusing on export growth, Iran maintains strategic pharmaceutical imports. During the first half of 2024, the country imported 54,800 tons of pharmaceutical commodities valued at $1.1 billion. This represents a 3.76% decrease in volume but a 4.5% increase in value compared to the previous year.

Regulatory and Quality Considerations

Maboudi emphasized the complex nature of pharmaceutical exports, noting that drugs require stringent registration and quality approvals in each destination country due to their direct impact on public health. The FDA's commitment to maintaining high standards while expanding exports demonstrates Iran's focus on quality alongside growth.

The country's pharmaceutical sector is also embracing modernization through the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced techniques in pharmaceutical manufacturing, positioning Iran as an emerging player in the global pharmaceutical market.