New Health Startup Accelerator Launched in Iran

EghtesadOnline: A health startup accelerator has been launched in Tehran to support companies working on development of medical diagnostic devices.

News ID: ۷۸۴۵۰۴

30 January 2019

‘Synapse’ has been established jointly by the Biotechnology Development Council, affiliated to the Vice Presidential Office for Science and Technology, and a private knowledge-based company.

According to the vice presidential office website (isit.ir), the accelerator will attract and support talent working on developing In Vitro Diagnostic devices (IVDs).

IVDs are medical devices intended by the manufacturer to be used for lab examination of specimens derived from the human body, solely or principally for the purpose of giving information about a physiological or pathological state, a congenital abnormality or to determine safety and compatibility with a potential recipient, or to monitor therapeutic measures, according to Financial Tribune.

Reagents, calibrators, control materials, kits, specimen receptacles, computer software, instruments, apparatus, equipment or systems, whether used alone or in combination with other diagnostic goods specifically for in vitro use are regarded as IVD.

Quality of the devices is important as it determines the accuracy of medical examinations and diagnosis and consequently the quality of healthcare services.

The accelerator will boost production of IVDs and promote application of modern technologies while helping meet demand of the domestic medical market.

According to industry sources, lack of knowledge of the market, potential customers, rules and regulations, plus poor investment and lack of financial support are among the challenges startups in the field usually encounter.

In addition to addressing these issues, Synapse will help link startups and innovators in the field with investors.

President Hassan Rouhani and his government as a matter of policy have voiced support for fledgling technology and knowledge-based firms and startup.

Thanks to government backing, startups and e-commerce firms have emerged and expanded in diverse sectors, namely healthcare, tourism and the hospitality industry.