The Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (romanized: Mo'asseseh-ye Tahqiqât-e Vâksan va Seromsâzi-e Râzi) is an Iranian pharmaceutical and biological institute. It is located in the Hessarak district in Karaj, Iran. The institute was built as a national center with the purpose of countering epidemics in domestic animals during Reza Shah era. Further departments were installed, including those dedicated to human medicines. In modern years, the institute has focused primarily on nanomedicine and biotechnology.[1][2]
The institute is known for its anti-venom serums derived from snake and scorpionvenom. It hosts some reference pharmaceutical laboratories with regional or state scopes.[1][2]
Branches
The institute has established regional branches in:[citation needed]
1997: Enhancement of the biotechnology department.
2010: The institute produced 1.7 billion doses of 57 types of vaccines, serums, and antigens per year.
2012: Production of transgenic animals, creating recombinant vaccines through genetic engineering, developing antigens and diagnostic kits for medical and veterinary labs.
NATO forces used some of the institute's anti-venom products during the Afghanistan war, since Afghan native snakes had not been researched in the USA or Europe.[6]