Alexander Subbotin: Investment inflow is the basis for creating a biotechnology cluster in the Vitebsk region

Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Aleksandr Subbotin, following a meeting with the head of state on pressing issues of the Vitebsk region's development, told reporters about the prospects for the development of the biotechnology sector in the region.

"The inflow of investments is one of the main aspects in creating a biotechnology cluster in the Vitebsk region," the governor noted. "I have always cited the Netherlands as an example; their exports were almost $100 billion at one time. They focused on high technologies, specifically high technologies in the field of biotechnology – medicines, vaccines, seeds, and high-breed pedigree animals. Therefore, we want to focus on this as well."

"In addition, many new biotechnologically oriented products, medicines, and new approaches in medicines are emerging – these are vector vaccines, and lines of medicines based on monoclonal antibodies," Aleksandr Subbotin continued. "We want to master all these new, advanced, top-tier things that not every country in the world can afford to produce, here in the Vitebsk region."

At the same time, the governor emphasized: "But I view this more not as a commercial project, although it is very important, but perhaps as a project for forming scientific teams and production teams that are capable of doing this, which can then, in the future, solve any task that the government sets before them, by creating some new product, a new line of products, which will be even more successful both in the domestic and foreign markets."

Alexander Subbotin noted that some call it a cluster, others a biotechnological, high-tech park. In this regard, he remarked: "The name is not the essence. The most important thing is the approaches. Following the order of the head of state a year ago, we studied all possible world experience, talked with a large number of scientists, manufacturers of various forms of ownership involved in this. And all this allowed us to bring everything together, to identify the most valuable grain. It turned out that science must still be at the center, a production site where new inventions can be tested and it can be seen whether they will result in a product."

As Alexander Subbotin noted during the meeting, "the basis of this cluster should be a scientific and technical center designed to generate ideas and create advanced developments in all areas of biotechnological science and implement them in production that will be formed nearby."

Along with this, the governor noted that external conditions have changed over the past year: "We see very intense sanctions pressure." In this regard, the very concept of creating a cluster has been reformatted. By the way, in the future, a very flexible approach to its development in accordance with changing conditions is also envisaged.

"The core of the biotechnological cluster will consist of several segments," explained Alexander Subbotin. "The first segment is the existing production at BelVitunipharma, which we are improving. This segment will not only produce biotechnological products but will also become one of the main platforms where new ideas will be worked out, and drugs will be produced in small batches and their further, possibly commercial, success will be evaluated."

In addition, it is planned to create an infrastructure for the registration of all drugs, whether veterinary or medical. Moreover, this infrastructure should include a full range of research.

Plans also include the creation of a non-biological focus of the enterprise, which will help to formalize various documents and patents for developments.

Alexander Subbotin also emphasized: "And around this core, there will be a large number of enterprises that already exist in the Vitebsk region thanks to the fact that we have created scientific schools."

According to the governor, the creation of this cluster will attract new technologies and new specialists. "The world is changing, and we must flexibly adapt to all conditions. Perhaps something else will grow or transform from this," he summarized.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Health Boris Androsyuk, referring to this project, noted: "The President has instructed to work through the issue with several investors. To work it through comprehensively, economically. So that it is beneficial for us. We have worked through several vectors, but there were also proposals. This is the Asian vector, the Russian one, and possibly the European one. We need to work through everything, weigh what is most optimal, economically feasible, and fast."

"BELTA"