Iranian Scientists Win Gold Medal at Thailand’s 2026 IPITEx
Iranian researchers and inventors won the gold medal at the Thailand 2026 International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition (IPITEx) from Thailand’s National Research Council in the fields of medicine (neuroscience) and artificial intelligence, for their project titled “miR-Trace-NP Radiolabeled Nanoparticles for MicroRNA Targeting and AI-Enhanced PET Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease.” The exhibition was held from January 5 to 9, 2026, corresponding to 15 to 19 Dey 1404, at BITEC in Bangkok.
The technology team consisted of:Amir Tahavvori:Inventor and researcher in mitochondrial function and transplantation, metabolic diseases, and regenerative medicine; holds a professional medical doctorate from Azad University of Tabriz and is a specialist in internal medicine from Urmia University of Medical Sciences; assistant professor at Urmia Azad University of Medical Sciences; senior researcher at Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, affiliated with Northwell Health in the United States; has published dozens of research papers in reputable international journals, and his abstract on mitochondrial transplantation was accepted and presented in New York, USA.
Hamed Aghazadeh:Inventor and researcher in cancer, stem cells, regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, and formulation; microbiologist; holds a master’s degree in pharmaceutical engineering (M. Pharm.Eng) from the University of Tehran and currently a Pharm.D candidate.
Reza Mosaddeghi Heris:Project manager; inventor and researcher in novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system cancers; holds a professional medical doctorate from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; senior researcher at the Clinical Research Development Unit of Valiasr Hospital in Tabriz and the Neuroscience Research Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; has published more than 50 scientific research articles in reputable international journals, including The Lancet and The Lancet Neurology; author of 10 books in neuroscience and artificial intelligence; collaborator on Global Burden of Disease projects with the IHME center at the University of Washington, USA; and a member of the editorial boards of Inflammopharmacology (Switzerland) and The Journal of Headache and Pain (Italy).
Nasrin Forghani:Inventor and researcher in neurovascular and neurodegenerative brain diseases; holds a professional medical doctorate from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and is a specialist in neurology and spine disorders; has published several scientific research articles in reputable international journals; member of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA); and recipient of a gold medal in Geneva, Switzerland.Alireza Taheri:Inventor and researcher active in artificial intelligence and related technologies; holds a master’s degree in software engineering; project manager and senior engineer for smart home system development; researcher and author of scientific articles and books on the analysis and application of AI in the implementation of smart systems in healthcare.
Mojtaba Pandeh:M.D., researcher, and inventor in neuroscience and cancer; graduate of the professional medical doctorate program at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. His scientific and research work focuses on neuroscience, cancer, and modern medical technologies, and he has published numerous articles in these fields. He also has experience in international scientific collaboration, including coauthoring research with the University of California and Sapienza University of Rome (Unitelma Sapienza).Maryam Saberivand:Inventor and researcher in rheumatology, immunology, molecular medicine, and neuroscience; holds a professional medical doctorate from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; has participated in numerous research projects focused on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, evidence-based medicine, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to chronic diseases; author of more than ten scientific research articles in reputable international journals.
The team was honored with the gold medal
for its innovative invention in medicine (neuroscience) and artificial intelligence, titled “miR-Trace-NP Radiolabeled Nanoparticles for MicroRNA Targeting and AI-Enhanced PET Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease,” at IPITEX 2026, the Thailand International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition, organized by Thailand’s National Research Council.Hamed Aghazadeh, CEO of NoyanGen Biotechnology Research Company and one of the inventors of the project, told our reporter:The Thailand 2026 IPITEX International Intellectual Property, Invention, Innovation and Technology Exposition was held from January 5 to 9, 2026, corresponding to15 to19 Dey 1404, by the Government of Thailand, the National Research Council of Thailand, and with the support of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and scientific and research organizations, inventor associations, and ministries of science, education, and research from different countries around the world, at BITEC, the Bangkok exhibition center.Aghazadeh added that inventors from reputable universities and scientific and research institutions in more than 25 countries,including France, Germany, Romania, Russia, Croatia, Malaysia, India, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and Iran, among others, attended with nearly 700 inventions and competed in more than 25 scientific categories.
This diverse lineup reflected the event’s truly international character and the connection between East and West in Bangkok, Thailand. With the support of major international invention organizations, the event is regarded as one of the world’s leading and most prestigious scientific gatherings in the field of inventions.Aghazadeh saidthe inventions presented at IPITEX 2026 covered fields such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering, technology, energy, environmental protection, safety, and industry, while also offering practical contributions to improving everyday life. The inventions were evaluated by an international multidisciplinary jury of university professors, technologists, intellectual property experts, and industry leaders. The judging process was rigorous, transparent, and fair, ensuring that only the best inventions were recognized. Nearly 700 teams from more than 25 countries took part, and we achieved first place globally in medicine and artificial intelligence.Explaining the innovative project, Aghazadeh saidThe microRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-146a, are upregulated in microglia in Alzheimer’s disease and are associated with inflammatory processes. However, no imaging tool currently targets these molecular markers noninvasively. Existing PET tracers, such as [11C]PK11195 for TSPO, face limitations including low resolution, radiation exposure, and limited availability, especially in underserved regions.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, laboratory-produced probes that combine radiolabeling and artificial intelligence (AI) to measure neuroinflammation for early Alzheimer’s diagnosis and personalized treatment.The main objective is to develop miR-Trace-NP as a radiolabeled nanoparticle probe for quantitative PET imaging of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease. The system targets miR-146a in inflamed regions of the brain. Specific aims include designing and validating ASO-functionalized nanoparticles for selective miRNA binding. We also intend to integrate AI-based models to create a transparent InflammaScore for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. In addition, our goal is to develop continual learning systems to improve the models on diverse datasets. Ultimately, we will demonstrate safety, efficacy, and scalability through preclinical studies and simulated human trials.This system, by leveraging radiolabeled nanoparticles and artificial intelligence, provides transparent and scalable biomarkers. Its laboratory synthesis and compatibility with standard PET/CT make it suitable for global use. This approach could transform the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and treatment monitoring.#Amir_Tahavvori#Hamed_Aghazadeh#Reza_Mosaddeghi_Heris#Nasrin_Forghani#Alireza_Taheri#Mojtaba_Pandeh#Maryam_Saberivand#Iranian_Scientists_Win_Gold_Medal_at_Thailand_2026_IPITEx
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