Royan Institute’s Advanced Cellular Technologies Elevate Iran to 7th Place Worldwide in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)

Mehdi Lotfipanah, in an interview with ISNA, elaborated on the scientific standing of Royan Institute and stated:
As a leading international center for research, technology development, clinical services, and education, Royan Institute has played a pivotal role in advancing science, technology, and innovation in the life sciences. Today, it is widely recognized as a prominent reference institution in the fields of stem cell science, reproductive medicine, biotechnology, and regenerative medicine across both the region and the global scientific community.
He noted that Royan Institute’s mission, formulated in alignment with Iran’s Comprehensive Scientific Roadmap and the strategic development plans of ACECR (Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research), is founded upon four principal pillars: advancing science and technology in biomedicine, reproductive sciences, stem cell research, and biotechnology; promoting education and dissemination of scientific knowledge at national and international levels; translating research achievements into innovative products and technologies that address national needs; and providing advanced therapeutic services for infertility and incurable diseases through the application of scientific discoveries.
Royan: Beyond a Research Institution
Emphasizing Royan’s role beyond that of a conventional research institute, Lotfipanah stated that, according to reputable international sources, including the book Science and Innovation in Iran published by Palgrave Macmillan, Royan is recognized not merely as a research center but as an influential scientific institution with a significant role in scientific capacity-building, entrepreneurship, and technological development at regional and global levels.
He further explained that over more than three decades of continuous activity, Royan Institute has evolved into one of the most influential centers for the advancement of modern biological sciences and technologies in Iran and West Asia and is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in reproductive sciences, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine.
Highest ACECR Ranking in the SCImago International Ranking System
According to the Head of Public Relations and International Affairs of Royan Institute, the institute has consistently been ranked among the leading research organizations in Iran by internationally recognized evaluation systems and is regarded as one of the foremost regional centers in stem cell science and biomedicine.
He added that in the 2026 edition of the SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR), one of the world’s most respected systems for assessing universities and research organizations based on research performance, innovation output, and societal impact, Royan Institute achieved the highest ranking among all institutions affiliated with ACECR.
Five Royan Researchers Among the World’s Top 2% Scientists
Referring to the scientific achievements of Royan’s faculty members, Lotfipanah noted that, according to the latest Stanford University ranking, five Royan researchers have been included among the world’s top 2% most influential scientists.
He further highlighted that awards such as the TWAS Prize and the UNESCO Life Sciences Award, as well as the recognition of Royan researchers as international scientific authorities in areas including antioxidants and reproductive sciences, represent only a portion of the institute’s scientific accomplishments, all resulting from pioneering and globally impactful research.
Hosting Distinguished International Scientists and Prestigious Scientific Events
Lotfipanah stated that the annual Royan International Congress and Research Award, together with the Dr. Kazemi Award, has transformed Royan Institute into one of the most important hubs for scientific exchange in the region.
He emphasized that hosting internationally renowned scientists such as Professor Robert Langer, one of the world’s leading figures in biomedical engineering, and Professor Michele De Luca, a pioneer in gene therapy and epidermolysis bullosa treatment, exemplifies the global standing of these events and the scientific capacity of Royan Institute.
Thousands of Publications, Dozens of Technologies, and Hundreds of Thousands of Clinical Services
Lotfipanah stressed that more than three decades of sustained innovation, continuous presence in prestigious international rankings, publication of thousands of peer-reviewed articles and scholarly books indexed in major international databases, registration of national and international patents, development of dozens of advanced technologies and knowledge-based products, including cutting-edge cell-based therapies such as WhartoCell, and the provision of hundreds of thousands of infertility treatment and cell therapy services, as well as medical tourism services for international patients, have firmly established Royan as a globally recognized scientific brand.
He added that the publication of two internationally respected English-language journals in stem cell science and infertility treatment represents another significant contribution by the institute to the global scientific community.
Expanding Global Collaborations and Scientific Excellence
The Head of Public Relations and International Affairs further noted that Royan researchers have significantly expanded their international engagement through collaborations with leading scientific institutions across Europe and Asia, with more than one-third of their scientific publications produced through international partnerships.
Referring to the achievements of Dr. Massoud Vosough, faculty member and Head of the Regenerative Medicine Research Group at Royan Institute, he stated that Dr. Vosough was recognized by Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology as a National Distinguished Researcher in Medical Sciences. A substantial proportion of his publications have resulted from international collaborations, and his work has received extensive citations in leading international journals, reflecting the growing prominence of Royan researchers in modern biomedical sciences.
Translating Laboratory Discoveries into Clinical Therapies
Addressing emerging trends in life sciences and medicine, Lotfipanah noted that regenerative medicine, including stem cell-based therapies and tissue engineering approaches, is expected to play an increasingly significant role in addressing chronic and age-related diseases. Consequently, a major focus of Royan’s recent research efforts has been the translation of novel laboratory discoveries into clinically applicable therapies.
He added that Royan Institute’s placement within the first quartile (Q1) among Iran’s health research institutions in the SCImago international ranking system represents one of its most recent achievements in the healthcare sector.
Strengthening Regional Leadership in Regenerative Medicine
Lotfipanah stated that Royan Institute aims to further strengthen its position as a regional leader in regenerative medicine through continued infrastructure development, expansion of regional scientific partnerships, and acceleration of the translation of gene-, cell-, and tissue engineering-based technologies into validated clinical therapies.
He emphasized that, owing to the efforts of Iranian stem cell researchers, Iran has recently ranked among the world’s top ten countries in the field of cellular clinical trials, underscoring the nation’s growing position in advanced medical technologies.
Royan: A Globally Influential Scientific Institution
Lotfipanah noted that Royan’s longstanding history, scientific authority, sustained presence in national and international rankings, and, most importantly, its direct societal impact in addressing healthcare challenges through research, education, and specialized clinical services have increasingly attracted the attention of the international scientific community.
He added that, based on quantitative and internationally recognized indicators, Royan Institute has achieved an H-index of 105, despite having a relatively limited number of faculty members, reflecting its remarkable scientific productivity and impact among Iranian research institutions.
Royan Ranked Third Nationally by H-Index
According to Lotfipanah, data published by the AD Scientific Index, which evaluates the scientific performance and research impact of institutions across 221 countries, places Royan Institute third nationally in terms of aggregate H-index. The institute ranks ahead of several internationally recognized universities and research centers, including Toyohashi University of Technology (Japan) and AIIMS Rishikesh (India).
He further noted that, according to studies conducted by the Korean Society of Andrology, Royan Institute has been recognized as the world’s fifth-leading institution in the publication of original research on male infertility.
Lotfipanah also highlighted that The New York Times once referred to Royan Institute as the “Jewel in Iran’s Scientific Crown,” reflecting the institute’s established international reputation.
Advancing Iran to Seventh Place Globally in Advanced Cell Therapy Products
Referring to Royan’s latest technological achievements, Lotfipanah stated that regulatory approval has recently been obtained for the large-scale production of several advanced cell-based products. He expressed hope that collaboration with capable and reliable investors would facilitate broader commercialization and integration of these technologies into the national healthcare system.
He added that this achievement, together with the accomplishments of two other national centers, has elevated Iran’s global position from twelfth place in 2024 to seventh place worldwide among countries possessing Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
Sustained Strategic Support for Future Growth
In conclusion, Lotfipanah emphasized that achieving Royan Institute’s long-term vision in biomedicine requires sustained support and strategic engagement from philanthropists, benefactors, and organizations committed to innovation.
He expressed optimism that continued material and moral support would further facilitate the development of innovative research, the cultivation of highly skilled human capital, and the expansion of scientific frontiers in biotechnology. Such invaluable support, he noted, will play a vital role in preserving and enhancing Iran’s scientific standing within the international community and in advancing the nation toward scientific leadership and excellence in biotechnology.