Tunisian diplomat hails Iran's scientific achievements

Hasayeri hailed Iran's achievements despite facing various sanctions, and underlined the need to use the two countries' capacities in all fields such as higher education. He welcomed Qorbani's proposal to set up Iran-Tunisia Scientific and Technical Committee, and said the Tunisian higher education and scientific research minister would visit Tehran in a bid to explore avenues for developing mutual cooperation. Qorbani, for his part, underlined development of Tehran-Tunis scientific and academic cooperation. Explaining Iran's scientific status in the region, he voiced his country's readiness to develop mutual cooperation in various areas such as increasing scholarships, establishment of technical and scientific committee and dispatching Persian language instructors to Tunisia. During the last decade Iran has made huge achievements in various fields of science and technology, from nuclear knowledge to stem cell and Nano technology. Iranian Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi announced in August 2011 that the country would soon start production of 15 types of anti-cancer drugs. "15 types of monoclonal anti-body drugs are being synthesized with the help of the Scientific Department of the Presidential Office, using hi-tech technology," Vahid Dastjerdi said. Noting that these anti-cancer drugs are now produced by only two to three western companies, she raised the possibility that the Iran-made monoclonal antibodies would be introduced to the Iranian market within the next two months. Monoclonal antibody drugs are a relatively new innovation in cancer treatment. While several monoclonal antibody drugs are available for treating certain cancers, the best way to use these new drugs isn't always clear. Also in 2011, Iranian scientists succeeded in producing new types of medication for treating different kinds of cancer, viral diseases and arthritis with 100% positive results. "The medicine has been synthesized through a new and unique formula and has the capability to destroy all malignant cancerous cells," Head of the research team Qassem Tak Dehqan told reporters in April 2011. In January 2011, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) announced that Iranian scientists have managed to synthesize two new types of radiomedicines to treat malignant types of cancer. Also, Iran in December 2010 unveiled five different radiomedicine projects with applications for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a number of diseases. In September 2010, Iran announced that it plans to synthesize 20 kinds of radiomedicine inside the country. "Iran has gained the necessary preparedness to produce 20 radiomedicines and we will provide the 20% (enriched nuclear) fuel needed for the production of these medicines this year," AEOI Deputy Head for Planning, International and Parliamentary Affairs Massoud Akhavan-Fard told FNA at the time. In addition to the Tehran research reactor which has long been used by radioisotope production, Iran also plans to build four other research reactors in the other parts of the country, he added.