The head of the Iran Atomic Energy Agency has announced plans to develop a new domestic radiopharmaceutical based on heavy water.
Speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami said one of the plans on the agenda is to manufacture new medicinal radioactive compounds based on heavy water for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. .
He noted that one million patients are treated using radiopharmaceuticals each year.
Eslami said the fact that the lone Iranian company that manufactures radiopharmaceuticals has been subject to foreign sanctions shows that the companies imposing the sanctions do not value people’s lives.
A few days ago, Eslami said Iran aims to become a global hub for deuterium drug manufacturing.
“In the not too distant future, we will be the hub for deuterium-based drug manufacturing. Deuterium is an excellent alternative to chemical drugs, with fewer side effects. ” he said.
AEOI has commenced the second phase of its deuterium production unit at the Arak heavy water reactor facility in central Iran in April 2021.
