Iran unveils homegrown technology to design, produce targeted cancer-killing viruses

Iran has unveiled a homegrown technology for the design, genetic engineering, production and purification of oncolytic, cancer-killing viruses.

The viruses are capable of selectively replicating in cancer cells, paving the way for the development of virus- and gene-based therapies for hard-to-treat cancers.

The technology was unveiled on Sunday at a ceremony marking the 46th anniversary of the establishment of the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), held at ACECR’s University of Science and Culture in the presence of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The project has been developed by the Advanced Cancer Therapy Technology Development Research Group at the ACECR’s National Cancer Institute, under the leadership of Ramin Saramifaroushani, head of the institute.

The project has established Iran’s first domestic technological platform for designing, genetically engineering, producing and purifying replication-competent oncolytic viruses.

During the ceremony, ACECR also announced the launch of the country’s first clinical trial based on the technology.

A platform for next-generation cancer therapies

Oncolytic viruses are designed to selectively target cancer cells, replicate within them and destroy them while limiting their impact on healthy cells.

The technology is considered a promising approach for treating cancers that have proven resistant to conventional therapies.

The project has brought together advanced technologies in virology, genetic engineering, biotechnology and the production of advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs).

The infrastructure enables researchers to design viral constructs, produce them at semi-industrial scale, purify the resulting products and conduct laboratory, preclinical and clinical studies.

According to ACECR, the first oncolytic virus developed under the project was successfully designed and produced through genetic engineering and subsequently purified at a large scale.

Its effectiveness was demonstrated in laboratory studies, followed by successful preclinical studies.

The resulting product has now entered its first clinical trial in Iran for the treatment of a hard-to-treat cancer, marking the country’s first cancer virotherapy project.

The platform is not limited to a single product. It is intended to support the development of next-generation oncolytic viruses as well as other advanced therapies, including gene therapy and other ATMPs, while providing a basis for the development and commercialization of knowledge-based medical products.

ACECR said the project has also helped establish domestic technical know-how and specialized human resources in an advanced area of medical biotechnology, reducing reliance on foreign technologies and creating capacity for national and international cooperation in advanced cancer therapies.

Health minister praises ACECR’s role in cancer research

Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi praised ACECR’s work in cancer treatment and research, describing the institution as an important link between scientific capabilities and the country’s practical needs.

“ACECR is an important and influential institution that was established from the outset with the aim of connecting science with the needs of the country,” Zafarghandi said at the ceremony.

He stressed that ACECR should remain responsive to the country’s changing priorities, noting that issues such as cancer, population trends, brain drain, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence can become key areas requiring scientific attention.

Zafarghandi also highlighted ACECR’s role in providing opportunities for young researchers and professionals whose abilities may otherwise be constrained by bureaucratic barriers.

[8/9/2026 4:56 PM] Qarehgozlou: “One of the important characteristics of ACECR is providing an environment for talents to emerge and develop,” he said, adding that many prominent cancer surgeons in Iran had begun their professional activities through ACECR.

He recalled that researchers working within the institution had collaborated on research, written books and developed models for addressing cancer-related challenges, with many of them later becoming leading figures in the field.

He also pointed to ACECR’s activities in areas including infertility treatment, stem cells and cancer as examples of efforts that have contributed to improving public health.

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