Leader views unity, resistance "Key to Iranians' Victory"

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei described unity and resistance against enemies as the key to the Iranian nation's progress and victory on various scenes.Addressing a large and fervent congregation of Iranian people in the country's Western city of Kangavar on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei lauded the great and eye-catching progress of the Iranian nation during the last three decades after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and expressed confidence that the country would continuing moving on the same path in future due to the resistance and unity of its people. "Our dear nation which has already moved past the very difficult parts of its chosen path powerfully and proudly will be successful in all the future stages through unity, hope and resistance," the Leader added. In recent years, Iran has taken wide strides in many fields of science and technology despite the enemy sanctions and embargoes. In a most recent case, Iranian Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi announced last month 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. 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. In December, Iran unveiled five different radiomedicine projects with applications for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of a number of diseases. In January, 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. "The Iranian scientists and researchers of the AEOI's Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center succeeded in producing two new radiomedicines for the first time to cure malignant cancers," AEOI Spokesman Hamid Khadem Qaemi said at the time. He named the radiomedicines as Lutetium-177 Phosponate (EDTMP) for bone pain palliation in metastatic prostate cancer and Iodine 131 Chlorotoxin to treat malignant glioma. In April, 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.