The issue of acquiring technologies needed by the country has become very important in the new year.

A joint committee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Center for International Science and Technology Interactions They have assumed the responsibility of guiding and identifying challenges and following up on issues in order to find a suitable solution for acquiring these technologies and developing the export of knowledge-based products.

One of the important topics and technologies that has a very high potential to create economic transformation in the country is gene therapy technology, which is used to increase the life expectancy of cancer patients and other Special diseases can be used.

In a meeting that was held to examine the capabilities of this technology at the location of the Middle East Gene Therapy Company in Gandhi Hospital, the chain of equipment and knowledge needed to develop the use of this technology in the country and improve the infrastructure for the development of its export were discussed. took.

Mrs. Dr. Shujaei, CEO Middle East Gene Therapy Group  By expressing the chain of treatment of cancer patients after the stage of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, the importance of discussing cell therapy Through NK, CIK and CART cells, they mentioned the research activities and experimental studies that are going on in this regard in the country and outside of Iran.

The high efficiency of the use of CART cells for 10 cancers mainly related to blood, which have sometimes been promising until the complete elimination of the disease, promises that focusing on this technology can save the lives of many patients in the country. be.

In this meeting with the presence of experts from the International Investment and Technology Office, Center for International Science and Technology Interactions  took place, hope was expressed that with the follow-up of the Vice President for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health and Medicine, the path of using this technology in the country will be facilitated and with understanding Families, an effective step should be taken to reduce the cost of treating patients who can be treated with these methods.

Besides the importance of humanitarian aspects of using this technology that helps to maintain physical and mental health in the society, its economic discussion can bring about a huge transformation in the country’s economy.

It should be kept in mind that the cost of treating cancer patients with gene therapy in America is about 400 thousand dollars, in Germany it is about 220 thousand euros and in China at least 80 thousand dollars, which according to the existence of this knowledge among Iranian researchers and only Through the development of the necessary equipment for the production of these types of cells, certain patients can be treated in Iran at a cost of less than 30,000 dollars, and there is a very valuable opportunity to export health services by attracting foreign patients in this regard.

Massoud Hafezi, Head of International Capital and Technology Office  in this meeting, expressed his hope that as soon as possible the discussion of gene synthesis, which has been custom made by other countries, will be accepted as soon as possible. With the participation and presence of knowledge-based companies such as Gen-Sazeh, the industrial production of lentivirus and the supply of basic equipment for the production of CART cells should be accelerated with the participation of private investors.

Every year, about 1.25 million people in different countries of the world are diagnosed with all kinds of blood cancers, many of them in the advanced stages of the disease, which cannot be stopped through chemotherapy, and require the use of gene therapy.

It seems that gaining a share of only 1% of this market can provide the country with the opportunity to generate one billion dollars in foreign currency income. Masoud Hafizi expressed his hope that the Ministry of Health and Medicine of the country will look at the development of gene therapy infrastructure in the country as a strategic priority, because in fact, if proper investment is made in this area, this technology has the potential to match the country’s oil exports. will have authority.