Iran’s homegrown AlphaZa cancer radiopharmaceutical nears market launch: Nuclear chief

Iran will soon introduce AlphaZa, the country's first domestically developed alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical for the treatment of advanced cancers resistant to conventional therapies, according to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

Mohammad Eslami said the drug is expected to enter the market in the near future.

AlphaZa represents one of Iran’s most significant achievements in nuclear medicine and will expand the country’s capabilities in targeted cancer treatment, according to AEOI chief.

The radiopharmaceutical, which has undergone clinical research and testing over the past several years, employs advanced targeted radionuclide therapy and places Iran among a limited number of countries possessing the technology to develop and utilize alpha-emitting cancer treatments.

According to the AEOI chief, the number of domestically produced radiopharmaceuticals has now surpassed 76, with the products being supplied to more than 230 medical centers across the country.

“With the support of specialists at Pars Isotope Company, radiopharmaceutical production in the country has continued to expand, and the number of products has now reached 76,” Eslami was quoted as saying by IRIB.

Eslami also announced that 20 new radiopharmaceuticals are currently in the research and development stage and are expected to move into production in the current Iranian year.

“Currently, 20 additional products are under research so that we can bring new radiopharmaceuticals into the production cycle,” he said. 

He added that Iran is also preparing to introduce a new radiopharmaceutical for skin cancer, which is expected to advance from the research phase to full-scale production this year.

“This year, we will bring several research projects into production. AlphaZa will soon be introduced, and we will also unveil a new achievement in the field of skin cancer treatment.”

“Our progress relies on indigenous capabilities and is fully under our control,” he said. 

Eslami stressed that radiopharmaceutical production and distribution have continued uninterrupted despite all circumstances.

“Radiopharmaceutical production never stops,” he said. “Even during wartime conditions, as well as on weekends, production continues. We are committed to ensuring that patients receive these medicines on time.”

He further noted that some Iranian-made radiopharmaceuticals now match the quality standards of products developed in leading countries in the field.

“We had pledged to improve the precision of radiopharmaceuticals for more effective diagnosis and treatment,” Eslami said. “Several of our products are now comparable in quality to those produced by leading countries, placing Iran among the top nations in this field.”

Eslami noted that Iran also exports radiopharmaceuticals abroad, saying the country's products have reached markets across five continents.

“Radiopharmaceuticals are manufactured according to demand from medical centers and are not stockpiled. In addition to meeting domestic needs, we export these products to several countries and have previously delivered radiopharmaceuticals to destinations on five continents,” he said.

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