Pasteur Institute of Iran

What Pasteur Institute of Iran does

The Pasteur Institute of Iran is a government-affiliated public health research, production, and educational institution established in 1920 through an agreement between the Iranian government and the Institut Pasteur in Paris. Headquartered at No. 69 Pasteur Avenue in Tehran with approximately 596 employees across additional facilities in Amol, Karaj, Tajrish, and Akanlu (Hamadan), the institute operates as Iran's primary center for infectious disease control, vaccine manufacturing, and biomedical research. Its core mandate spans the development and production of vaccines (rabies, hepatitis B, BCG, and the PastoCovac recombinant-protein COVID-19 vaccine developed jointly with Cuba's Finlay Institute), comprehensive diagnostic laboratory services covering arboviruses, influenza, hepatitis/AIDS, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, and graduate-level training in virology, microbiology, immunology, and biotechnology. The institute operates a network of national reference laboratories certified by the Ministry of Health and serves as a WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Rabies, supported by molecular diagnostic platforms including Real-time PCR and Next-Generation Sequencing for genomic surveillance.

The institute's business model is anchored in institutional and governmental channels. Revenue derives from vaccine and biological product sales to the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education and partner institutions, fee-based specialized diagnostic and laboratory testing services (ELISA, HPLC chromatography, flow cytometry, genetic testing), international vaccine exports (e.g., to Venezuela), and graduate tuition. Pricing follows government tariff rates rather than market-based mechanisms. Distribution is conducted through direct institutional channels within the Iranian healthcare system, supplemented by an e-services portal enabling self-service access to 52 distinct laboratory and diagnostic offerings. Scientific reach is amplified through active membership in the Pasteur Network (32 institutes across 25 countries), WHO technical advisory roles, COMSTECH Islamic cooperation programs, and bilateral research agreements with Fiocruz (Brazil), Pasteur Institute of Dakar (Senegal), Pasteur Institute of St. Petersburg (Russia), and Tashkent Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums (Uzbekistan). The Iranian Biomedical Journal (IBJ), published bimonthly by the institute, achieved an Impact Factor of 1.9 in the 2026 Clarivate report, reflecting rising scientific output. In spring 2026, portions of the institute sustained damage during military action on Tehran, prompting an international reconstruction fundraising campaign.

Name

Pasteur Institute of Iran

Legal name

Pasteur Institute of Iran

Website

https://en.pasteur.ac.ir

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Pasteur Institute of Iran is a government-affiliated public health institute founded in 1920 that develops and produces vaccines, biological products, and diagnostic services for the Iran Ministry of Health and serves as a national reference laboratory network for infectious diseases across the country.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals & Public Health Laboratory Services

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Medical Laboratories (621511), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Vaccine Manufacturing & Fill-Finish (HLAIAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Development & Regulatory for Vaccines (trials, pharmacovigilance, lot release) (HLAAAEAK), Vaccine Fill-Finish, Packaging & Cold-Chain Formulation (vial/syringe, lyophilization, thermostable) (HLAAAEAJ), Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens) (HLAAAEAC), Vaccine Procurement, Tendering & Immunization Supply Programs (HLAIAEAN)

Keywords

• Vaccine production
• Infectious disease diagnostics
• Biomedical research
• Biological products
• Public health laboratory

Headquarters

HQ city

Tehran

HQ country

Iran

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Vaccine Production and Sales: Development and production of vaccines including rabies, hepatitis B, BCG, and COVID-19 (PastoCovac). Products sold domestically to Ministry of Health and exported to other countries such as Venezuela
2. Diagnostic Services: Comprehensive laboratory diagnostic services for infectious diseases including reference laboratory testing for hospitals and healthcare centers across Iran
3. Biological Products: Sale of vaccines, laboratory kits, serum (antibodies), and laboratory animals through the institute's product catalog
4. Specialized Testing Services: Fee-based specialized clinical and laboratory testing services including drug sensitivity tests, ELISA, HPLC chromatography, flow cytometry, and genetic testing
5. Graduate Education: Training services at graduate level (master's and doctoral studies) in medical sciences disciplines

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Pasteur Institute of Iran is a public health research and production institution that develops and manufactures human vaccines (including the recombinant-protein PastoCovac COVID-19 vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, BCG vaccine, and rabies and influenza vaccines) and biological products such as diagnostic kits and sera. It operates a network of national reference laboratories for infectious disease diagnosis, provides specialized laboratory testing services (ELISA, Real-time PCR, flow cytometry, genetic diagnostics), and runs graduate-level training programs in medical sciences.

Product overview

The Pasteur Institute of Iran is a comprehensive public health institution established in 1920 offering vaccines, biological products, and diagnostic laboratory services. The core product portfolio includes: PastoCovac COVID-19 vaccine (recombinant protein platform developed with Cuba), Hepatitis B and BCG vaccines for domestic use and export, and a network of National Reference Laboratories covering arboviruses, influenza, hepatitis/AIDS, tuberculosis, rabies, and other infectious diseases. Supporting services include the National Cell Bank, Pathogenic Fungi Biobank, comprehensive diagnostic testing (ELISA, PCR, flow cytometry), the Iranian Biomedical Journal, and graduate-level education programs. The institute operates three main facilities: the Tehran Production and Research Complex, Amol Research Center, and Akanlu Research Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PastoCovac COVID-19 Vaccine A recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed with Cuba's Finlay Institute on the Soberana platform. Approved as a booster dose for adults showing approximately 66% effectiveness against symptomatic cases and over 95% effectiveness in preventing severe and hospitalized cases in Phase 3 clinical trials. Available for adults and children over 5 years old.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine Domestically produced hepatitis B vaccine resulting from technology transfer from Cuba completed in 2009, enabling Iran to be self-sufficient in production. Vaccines have been exported internationally, including to Venezuela.
• BCG Vaccine Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine against tuberculosis; produced domestically and exported internationally, with a first shipment of hepatitis B and BCG vaccines exported to Venezuela.
• Vaccines and Biological Products Catalogue Comprehensive portfolio of human and animal vaccines, injectable solutions, diagnostic kits, sera (antibodies), and laboratory animals distributed through the institute's product catalog for the Iranian Ministry of Health and international customers.
• National Reference Laboratory Services for Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers National reference center for research and diagnosis of arboviral diseases and viral hemorrhagic fevers, particularly Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Contributed to reducing CCHF mortality from approximately 40% to 10%. Capable of detecting non-indigenous arboviruses including Zika, yellow fever, Alkhurma, Ebola, and Marburg. Serves hospitals and health centers across Iran.
• National Collaborating Laboratory Services for Influenza National collaborating laboratory for influenza diagnosis since 2015, responsible for samples from Zanjan, Semnan, and Markazi provinces. Performs Real-time PCR for influenza types A and B and subtypes H1 and H1.
• Hepatitis and AIDS Reference Laboratory Services Certified reference laboratory since 2013 for diagnosis of viral hepatitis and AIDS. Performs molecular epidemiology, vaccine design, anti-viral drug resistance studies, and evaluation of diagnostic kits. Processes approximately 20,000 samples annually.
• Laboratory Diagnostic Services Comprehensive diagnostic services including ELISA, Real-time PCR, flow cytometry, MTT assays, HPLC analytics, atomic absorption, particle size determination, zeta potential analysis, and genetic testing for thalassemia, PKU, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Available via the e-services portal.
• National Cell Bank Products National Cell Bank Department selling human and animal cells in cell culture flask format to research and production customers throughout Iran.
• Pathogenic Fungi Biobank Strains Biobank of pathogenic fungi strains sold to research centers across Iran.
• Helicobacter pylori Clinical Strains Clinical strains of Helicobacter pylori sold to research centers in Iran.
• Iranian Biomedical Journal (IBJ) Open-access bimonthly journal published by the Pasteur Institute of Iran covering Molecular Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Immunology and Vaccines, Cancer Biology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Enzymology and Protein Chemistry, and Tissue Engineering. Impact Factor increased to 1.9 in the 2026 Clarivate report.
• Graduate Education Programs Master's and doctoral training programs in virology, microbiology, immunology, biotechnology, and other foundational medical disciplines. Programs are coordinated with Universities of Medical Sciences, including Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

Quantifiable outcome

• CCHF mortality rate reduced from ~40% to 10% through improved diagnosis and management over 23 years of arbovirus reference laboratory operation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tashkent Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums (Uzbekistan)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2025Virtual meeting between directors to foster collaboration and technical assistance in biotechnology and training for young scientists. Dr. Rahim Sorouri extended invitation for visit to Pasteur Institute of Iran to strengthen bilateral relations.
• Fiocruz Foundation (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024Five-year MoU signed between Pasteur Institute of Iran and Fiocruz Foundation during PNAM 2024 for scientific, economic, and biotechnological collaboration. Addresses research and production including vaccines, diagnostic kits, development of research projects, exchange of researchers and health information, and joint international conferences.
• Pasteur Institute of St. Petersburg (Russia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2024Action Plan signed between Pasteur Institute of Iran and Pasteur Institute of St. Petersburg based on MoU signed September 2022. Two-year collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing scientific collaboration, educational exchange, and joint research in public health, diagnostic development, and molecular epidemiology.
• Pasteur Institute of Dakar (Senegal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2024Action Plan signed between Dr. Rahim Sorouri (Director of Pasteur Institute of Iran) and Dr. Amadou Alpha Sall (Director of Pasteur Institute of Dakar) to enhance research and surveillance capabilities for combating emerging infectious diseases. The one-year Action Plan fosters cooperative environment for addressing shared health challenges related to infectious diseases in Iran and Senegal.
• COMSTECH (Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2023MoU signed for development and implementation of joint educational programs, research, technology, and innovation initiatives. Organization of national and international events including conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and courses. Exchange of students, experts, and academic staff for professional development.
• Venezuela Ministry of Science and TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2022Scientific partnership established with first shipment of hepatitis B and BCG vaccines exported to Venezuela. Collaboration in vaccine technology and public health research.
• Finlay Institute of Vaccines (Cuba)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2021Collaboration initiated in 1995 for technology transfer of biological products; joint development of PastoCovac COVID-19 vaccine (Soberana 2 in Cuba) with demonstrated 65-91.2% efficacy. Clinical trials conducted in 8 cities with 24,000 volunteers. Production line with capacity of 3 million doses per month.
• Pasteur NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 32 institutes across 25 countries. Pasteur Institute of Iran participates in collective action on dengue (CAD), Climate & Health Observatory Accelerator, DURABLE outbreak preparedness, and PREZODE One Health framework.
• Institut Pasteur (Paris)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partnership established in 1920 through agreement between Iranian government and Pasteur Institute of Paris. Ongoing collaboration within Pasteur Network framework including arbovirus reference laboratory cooperation.
• Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint scientific sessions on tick-borne bacterial zoonoses (Rickettsial diseases, Lyme disease, relapsing fevers) and Q fever. Collaborative epidemiological research and clinical studies on infectious diseases.
• Iran Veterinary OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation in zoonotic diseases including rabies, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), plague, tularemia, Q fever, and influenza. Discussion on investment for animal rabies vaccine production required by the country.
• Iran Ministry of Health - Center for Communicable Diseases ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for national reference laboratories including Pertussis & Diphtheria, Plague, Tularemia, Q fever, Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, Rabies, COVID-19, Malaria, Escherichia coli, Influenza, Hepatitis and AIDS.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• National Institute of Virology (India): ICMR-affiliated reference laboratory under India's Ministry of Health specializing in viral diagnostics and outbreak response. Comparable in reference laboratory mandate for arboviruses and viral hemorrhagic fevers, though narrower in vaccine production scope.

Direct peers

• Bharat Biotech: Indian vaccine manufacturer with recombinant protein platform capabilities (e.g., Covaxin), WHO prequalified vaccines, and emerging market export orientation. Comparable in vaccine technology platform, manufacturing scale, and international partnership model targeting low- and middle-income markets.
• St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute: Russian Pasteur Network institute with active Action Plan partnership signed with IPI in 2024. Comparable in mandate covering epidemiology, vaccine development, and reference diagnostics for infectious diseases, with similar structural ties to national health authorities.
• Fiocruz Foundation (Brazil): Brazilian public health institute operating Bio-Manguinhos vaccine production and multiple reference laboratories. Signed a five-year MoU with IPI in 2024 for vaccine, diagnostic, and biotechnology collaboration; directly comparable in mandate, vaccine production scale, and reference lab network structure.
• Pasteur Institute of Dakar: Senegalese Pasteur Network institute focused on infectious disease surveillance and vaccine manufacturing (including yellow fever). Signed Action Plan with IPI in 2024; comparable as a sister institute with parallel mandate in regional disease control and vaccine production.
• Finlay Institute of Vaccines (Cuba): Cuban vaccine research and production institute that co-developed the PastoCovac/Soberana recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine with IPI. Directly comparable in vaccine platform technology, manufacturing focus, and emerging market export orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): US national public health agency with global infectious disease reference laboratory network. Comparable in the national reference laboratory mandate and infectious disease surveillance function, though at substantially larger scale and without vaccine manufacturing.
• Institut Pasteur (Paris): The founding and largest Pasteur Network institute, established in 1887. Operates a broader portfolio of vaccine development, basic research, and diagnostics globally; comparable as the network anchor and IPI's historical founding partner (1920 agreement).
• Sinopharm / China National Biotec Group: China's state-owned vaccine and biological products conglomerate with large-scale manufacturing, inactivated and protein vaccine platforms, and extensive developing-country distribution. Comparable in government-affiliated structure, vaccine export focus, and pandemic response role, though at substantially larger scale.

Regional players

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): India's apex body for biomedical research coordinating reference laboratories, vaccine development, and public health surveillance. Comparable as a government-affiliated national medical research institution with parallel mandate, though serving a different geography than IPI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/pasteurinstituteiran
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/pasteurinstituteiran
• Facebookfacebook.com/PasteurInstituteIran
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pasteur-institute-of-iran
• Instagraminstagram.com/pasteurinstituteiran

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pasteur Institute of Iran