A Special Interview with Dr. Mohammad Taha Dehghan
CEO of Shafie Darou Aria Pharmaceutical Company
Note: Great achievements often stem from persistence, scientific passion, and collaboration. The story of Shafie Darou Aria is no exception. Dr. Mohammad Taha Dehghan — a young pharmacist, graduate of Yazd University of Medical Sciences and holder of a Pharmaceutical MBA from the University of Tehran — co-founded the company with two of his classmates, Dr. Hossein Dehghan and Dr. Ghaem Dashti. Today, their company stands as Iran’s only producer of contrast media active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
After several years of academic training and hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry, we decided to establish a knowledge-based company in Tehran — a company that could channel our expertise directly into Iran’s pharmaceutical sector. And so Shafie Darou Aria was born.
We started with a bold goal: to become self-reliant in producing contrast media APIs, particularly Gadoterate Meglumine. Today, we are proud to say that Shafie Darou is the only domestic producer of this critical API, offering a world-class alternative to imported brands.
The three of us met during pharmacy school in Yazd. Our friendship was grounded in shared values, a love for science, and a dream to make a meaningful impact on public health. That common passion drove us from student labs to industrial reality.
We recognized early on that gaps in Iran’s pharma landscape still existed — and that with knowledge, teamwork, and the right support, we could fill them.
To turn vision into action, we relocated from Yazd to Tehran, drew from the mentorship of veteran experts, and attracted private investors. Our clear goal was to produce high-quality, globally competitive medications, especially those that reduce dependence on imports.
That’s how we began manufacturing Gadoterate Meglumine — and not just blending or packaging it, but fully synthesizing the API, a first in Iran.
This success isn’t just a commercial win; it’s a validation of our student-day dreams. We’ve helped bridge a vital gap in domestic production and freed the country from import dependency — even if only for a single yet essential product.
Our journey has always centered on R&D, collaboration, and state-of-the-art technology. And we’ve proved that Iranian pharmaceutical expertise can meet the highest global standards.
The fact that our product stands up to foreign brands in both quality and pricing is incredibly empowering. It’s not only about delivering a better product — it’s about proving that an Iranian-made drug can be trusted globally.
Our R&D team relentlessly focused on process optimization and quality control, adhering to GMP regulations and leveraging modern production technologies. We didn’t stop at making it competitive — we also made it more affordable, increasing access for Iranian patients.
Of course, there were challenges. Every pioneering effort meets resistance. Early on, few people believed in what we were trying to do. Instead of encouragement, we faced doubt — the typical “you can’t” mindset. But we tuned out the noise and stayed focused on our vision.
Regulatory hurdles were also part of the path. Getting product registration and certifications involved complex audits. And while such processes are essential and expected, sometimes the bureaucratic friction felt unnecessary or excessive. Still, we respect the role of oversight and are proud that we earned our approvals legitimately.
