Iran Produces First Kidney Transplant Drug Locally, Saving $3.5M –
WANA (Oct 19) – The CEO of a leading Iranian knowledge-based pharmaceutical company announced the domestic production of Sirolimus — a vital drug used in kidney transplant patients to suppress immune rejection — marking a significant step toward Iran’s pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and saving an estimated $3.5 million in annual foreign currency expenditures.
Dr. Fazlollah Heidarnezhad, the company’s CEO with over four decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, said in an interview that Iran has recently entered the field of probiotic product manufacturing.
“These products are designed to increase the number of beneficial microorganisms in the body, which play a crucial role in enhancing immunity and maintaining health. When their levels drop, the body becomes more prone to diseases,” he explained.
According to Heidarnezhad, the company’s innovative approach extends beyond probiotics and supplements to the production of raw materials for anticancer drugs. “We have now launched operations in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for anti-cancer medications, as well as the finished pharmaceutical products,” he added.
Discussing the new achievement in producing Sirolimus, Heidarnezhad noted that the drug was previously imported. “Kidney transplantation is quite common in Iran. The human body naturally reacts against foreign tissues, leading to rejection. To prevent this, the immune system must be suppressed so that B and T lymphocytes are reduced, allowing the transplanted organ to adapt and function as part of the body,” he explained.
He further elaborated, “After transplant surgery, Sirolimus is prescribed to prevent the immune system from attacking the new organ — a reaction similar to that between antigens and antibodies. By reducing lymphocyte levels, the drug helps protect the transplanted tissue from damage.”
When asked about the difference between Sirolimus and corticosteroids, Heidarnezhad clarified that the drug is used in combination with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamides as part of a combination therapy regimen. “While the course of treatment with Sirolimus usually does not exceed three months, its effectiveness depends on its use alongside these primary drugs,” he said.
Heidarnezhad emphasized that although most kidney transplant medications can have nephrotoxic (kidney-damaging) side effects, Sirolimus is known worldwide for its relatively lower toxicity and is gaining popularity. “In 2024, global sales of this drug reached approximately $580 million. Domestic production in Iran will save around $3.5 million in foreign exchange,” he noted.
He concluded by highlighting the innovation behind this achievement: “While the drug has been clinically tested abroad, we have now succeeded in producing its molecule domestically for the first time. We hope to soon complete the local production of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) as well.”
Iran Produces First Kidney Transplant Drug Locally. Social media/ WANA News Agency
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