Business news

VITEBSK, 28 February (BelTA) – The Slovakian R&D company BioMed is considering the possibility of becoming part of the Vitebsk-based medical and pharmaceutical cluster “Union of medical, pharmaceutical, scientific and educational organizations Medicine and Pharmaceutics — Innovative Projects”, BelTA learned from Alexei Sysoyev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Union.

According to the source, BioMed would like to become part of Belarus’ first medical and pharmaceutical cluster as a way to implement joint R&D programs relating to the diagnostics and treatment of oncological diseases. In turn, apart from the scientific component Belarusian participants of the cluster will be able to improve their competence in adapting and promoting new medications to foreign markets.

The cluster is interested in expanding the number of participants particularly with companies with unique experience and highly specialized competences. The cluster is primarily tasked with developing capabilities of its participants and addressing common problems. There are plans to form a scientific and technical base able to satisfy any request of a company for the creation of a certain medication. “We intend to use the full-cycle approach — creating a molecule, synthetizing an active substance, pre-clinical trials, improvement of the manufacturing technologies, organization of bioequivalent or clinical trials, and experimental production. Many companies would have troubles doing all of it on their own taking into account the manufacturing capacity of their equipment and the high cost of the substances,” stressed Alexei Sysoyev.

At present the Vitebsk-based medical and pharmaceutical cluster unites about 15% of Belarusian pharmaceutical companies but a number of companies, including from other parts of Belarus, are interested in taking part in the cluster’s work. A short while ago the list of participants was expanded with SIVital (Vitebsk) and Academpharm (Minsk). The former develops innovative test systems to measure the response of diseased cells to treatment, including during oncological diseases. SIVital’s contribution will allow carrying out joint research for the sake of developing new technologies or medications. Meanwhile, Academpharm is experienced in creating highly effective medications from the ground up.

The Vitebsk-based medical and pharmaceutical cluster “Union of medical, pharmaceutical, scientific and educational organizations Medicine and Pharmaceutics — Innovative Projects” was registered on 19 August 2015. It includes the Vitebsk State Medical University, SOOO Nativita, OOO Rubikon, OAO BelVitunipharm, OOO Vitvar, SOOO AconitPharma, SOOO MedelkomBel, OOO Pharmmarketing Group, KKUP Vitebsk Oblast Marketing Center, and the Union of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Clusters (Russia). The Vitebsk-based cluster is designed to offer comprehensive solutions to problems involved in the development, production, and sales of innovative medical and pharmaceutical products in Belarus.