A knowledge-based company has produced reverse transcriptase, a widely used multifunctional enzyme used in the field of biotechnology.
Dena Zist Asia Company has developed an enzyme used at high temperatures for reverse transcription and for the preparation of cDNA from all types of short and long molecules with simple and complex RNA structures, according to the CEO of the company.
“This and other enzymes that we have produced are used in biotechnology, as well as molecular biology and diagnostics,” Hesam Dehqani was also quoted as saying by the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
Since such an enzyme was not produced in Iran, the company decided to undertake its production for the first time in the country to meet domestic demand, he added.
The CEO said those who are active in the fields of molecular biotechnology and diagnostics are customers of the domestic reverse transcriptase enzyme.
Referring to the advantages of the domestic enzyme, Dehqani said the speed of cDNA synthesis by the enzyme produced in Dena Zist Asia Company is 10 minutes, which is shorter than that of its foreign counterparts.
The CEO noted that the enzyme activity temperature is above 50 degrees, which can guarantee the synthesis of cDNA from RNAs with all its structure.
“The price of providing this enzyme to the market is about one-tenth of imported enzymes, which do not have all the required characteristics, including very speedy and high temperature activity,” he said.
“The company has succeeded in making several other enzymes used in molecular biotechnology. Currently, eight specialists are working in this company, but more jobs will be created with the rise in production of enzymes used in molecular diagnosis.”
According to Dehqani, in addition to the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, other institutions are also supporting the development of products using advanced technology.
“This is because the growth of production is possible by mastering advanced and key technical knowhow in different fields,” he said.
Domestic Company’s Products Help Treat Cancer Patients
A domestic knowledge-based company active in the field of stem cells is able to process all types of immune and blood cells, which assists in the early detection of drug resistance in cancer patients.
Kian Immune Cell Company is a pioneer in the production of advanced cellular products that process immune, hematopoietic and genetically modified cells, according to the company’s CEO.
“Haploidentical Natural Killer [NK] cells and allogeneic NK cells produced with off-the-shelf method for cancer immunotherapy and tumor-specific anticancer drug sensitivity test kits for personalized medicine are among the most important products of this company,” Marzieh Ebrahimi was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
Ebrahimi added that with the establishment of the allogeneic NK cell bank, the company can also become active in the field of cell therapy for brain tumors, for which two Phase 1 clinical trials have been conducted.
“The company also has the capability to process all types of immune cells and blood cells for treatment, make gene changes in blood cells for therapeutic purposes and provide consulting services,” she added.
The CEO of the knowledge-based company stated that 3D culture models and cell lethality testing are among the important services provided by the company.
She added that if a license is obtained from Iran’s Food and Drug Administration, the company will be able to meet the needs of 3-5% of cancer patients.
Ebrahimi noted that in addition to having an agreement in principle with the Food and Drug Administration, the company is the first to have acquired the ISO13485:2016 international medical equipment standard certificate and the ISO9001:2015 quality management system for the isolation of natural killer cells from peripheral blood for the purpose of cancer treatment in Iran.
Domestic Probiotic Yeasts and Supplements Superior, Cheaper
A domestic company has produced probiotic yeasts and supplements for livestock, which are cheaper than their foreign counterparts.
Based on biotechnology, these products are considered essential for the health of both humans and animals, according to the CEO of Gol Sahand Khosro Company.
“The knowledge-based company has produced probiotic supplements and yeasts through extensive research to increase the positive bacteria in humans and animals,” Ahmad Yari Khosroshahi was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
“The use of probiotic yeasts and supplements is essential because it is not possible to eliminate all the harmful bacteria and overcome the resistance created by the use of antibiotics,” he added.
Khosroshahi noted that probiotics help improve health, reduce the use of antibiotics and compensate nutritional deficiency.
“The company operates in six major livestock fields, including cattle, poultry, aquatic animals, horses and bees. We are also working on improving livestock breeding,” he said.
The CEO stressed that the extensive research conducted over the years has led to the production of unique products that are compatible with Iran's climate.
“Although there are similar products of lower quality and effectiveness in the market, they are priced at least 10 times higher than our products,” he said.
“It is not possible to calculate the currency outflow in this industry, as there are no precise statistics, but since the company is producing its products completely domestically, it is preventing the forex outflow.”
Khosroshahi said the company has created 10 jobs directly, but considering the workforce in the sales and distribution networks, the number of those employed indirectly is much higher.
