The active component of the domestic COVID-19 vaccine will be produced in the Vitebsk region

The first stage of the investment project for the production of a COVID-19 vaccine will be implemented in 2022, said Sergey Belyaev, General Director of RUP "Belmedpreparaty".

"Belmedpreparaty" in conjunction with OJSC "BelVitunipharma" have created a joint venture, the main task of which will be the production of the Belarusian vaccine against COVID-19.

"This process is two-stage. In the first stage, the active component will be produced at "BelVitunipharma" and the finished vaccine - at the facilities of "Belmedpreparaty". In the second stage, the design and construction of the enterprise, specifically a production complex that will produce the COVID vaccine on a full cycle basis, will be carried out in parallel," Sergey Belyaev explained.

"We are launching the first stage next year," he continued. "The vaccine produced in the first stage will undergo preclinical and clinical studies to prove its safety and evaluate its effectiveness."

The General Director of RUP noted that the organization of production itself is quite ergonomic in terms of costs. "The first stage will require minimal costs at all, as "Belmedpreparaty" has all the conditions, equipment, personnel, and experience for the preparation of the finished vaccine. Therefore, our costs will be minimal," said Sergey Belyaev. "BelVitunipharma" also has sufficient competence and the necessary material resources. "Yes, some investments will be needed to produce this substance under GMP conditions, so there will be costs, but they are relatively insignificant," he added.

As reported, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on the implementation in 2021-2023 of an investment project to organize the production of a domestic vaccine against COVID-19 at the facilities of OJSC "BelVitunipharma". This investment project provides for the construction of a vaccine production plant in the village of Dolzha, Vitebsk region (with the reconstruction of existing production). The production base of OJSC "BelVitunipharma" has been identified by the government as the most promising site for pilot production of the vaccine, based on the degree of infrastructure readiness, the availability of trained specialists, as well as the possibility of subsequent development of a biotechnology cluster.

The development of a domestic vaccine is being carried out by organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Health and the National Academy of Sciences. Currently, a series of a prototype vaccine variant has been prepared.

The decree provides for the exemption of technological equipment, raw materials, and materials imported into the country for the implementation of the investment project from import customs duties and value added tax.

"BELTA"