Iran's Royan Institute:

From addressing infertility in West Asia to global contributions in stem cell research

In the 1980s, infertility was a widespread issue, and treatment options in Iran were largely limited to traditional methods. In such circumstances, Dr. Saeid Kazemi Ashtiani, a young and ambitious researcher, decided to bring about a fundamental change. Alongside a group of physicians and scientists, he founded the Royan Institute in 1991. The goal? To provide advanced infertility treatments and conduct research in the field of medical science.

The first major breakthrough was the success of IVF in treating infertility. Couples who had waited for years were now able to hug their children for the first time. This success quickly made Royan a focal point for families in Iran and the region. However, Dr. Kazemi Ashtiani and his team had a vision that went beyond infertility treatment.

They ventured into areas the world could hardly imagine: stem cells. In 2003, Royan scientists successfully produced the first embryonic stem cell line in Iran. This achievement placed Iran among the few advanced countries that had mastered this technology.

At the time, many Western scientists found it hard to believe that a country like Iran, under sanctions and economic pressures, could achieve such progress. One European researcher once at a conference said: "We didn’t expect to hear anything from Iran except news about oil and politics, but they are advancing at the frontiers of science!" Then came another breakthrough. In 2006, Royan introduced Iran’s first cloned sheep, Royana.

This scientific milestone brought Iran into the global spotlight. Cloning was a technology only a handful of countries had achieved, but Iran, despite all obstacles, reached this scientific achievement.

Yet, Royan was more than just a scientific institute. For thousands of infertile couples, Royan represented hope. To date, over 50,000 babies have been born in Iran and the region, particularly in Islamic communities, with the help of this institute. Additionally, Royan’s stem cell research in treating diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries has brought global recognition for the institute.

Today, the Royan Institute is one of the world’s leading scientific hubs. Every year, researchers and physicians from around the world come to Iran to participate in Royan’s scientific conferences. This institute has not only demonstrated that science knows no borders but has also proven that with faith and effort, nothing is impossible.