BREST, 20 August (BelTA) – The production of raw heparin sodium and fodder protein is to be launched in Brest Oblast in the coming two years, BelTA learned from the Brestmyasomolprom Concern holding company.
Such a production will be new to Belarus. It will be run by a Belarus-China joint venture. The investment agreement was signed by Brestmyasomolprom Concern and a Chinese company that produces heparin.
“Heparin is an anticoagulant; it prevents the clotting of blood. It is used to treat patients with thrombosis, COVID-19, cancer, in cardiovascular surgeries and cosmetology. One kilogram of this product costs $16,000. The main manufacturer is China. Pharmaceutical-grade heparin is derived from mucosal tissues of porcine (pig) intestines that are mostly disposed of in our country,” Brestmyasomolprom Concern Deputy Director General Svyatoslav Pivo said.
The investment project is estimated at Br5 million and is projected to pay off in one year. Raw materials will be suppled by large processing enterprises of Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast and Minsk Oblast. "We plan to collect 200 tonnes of pork mucosa. This amount will be enough to produce 100kg of heparin sodium salt. At the first stage, we are set produce raw materials, while pure heparin sodium will be made in the future,” the deputy director added.
According to him, the project has attracted the interest of many market players, including the country’s largest pharmaceutical company Belmedpreparaty.
By agreement with the Brest regional administration, we are now selecting a land plot suitable for the enterprise, Svyatoslav Pivo said.
The Chinese partners will soon travel to Belarus on a working trip for a more detailed study of the project.