National manufacturer of
immunobiological products in Russia
En
National manufacturer of
immunobiological products in Russia
History of the Branch

On May 5, 1898, a bacteriological laboratory established for the Council’s funds by the decision of the 6th Perm Province congress of doctors started its operation in Perm. This date became the beginning of the history of Perm scientific and production association Biomed.

From 1898 to 1917 the main activity of the bacteriological laboratory and, later, of the bacteriological institute was the preparation of therapeutic (anti-diphtheria) serums and rabies, scarlet fever, cholera, murine typhus and smallpox vaccines.

Bacteriologist were also engaged in rabies vaccination and veterinary researches. Later, it began to produce cholera and typhoid vaccines.

In 1930, professor G.P. Rosengolts was appointed the director of the institute (1930-1936). During these years the volume of production sharply increased. The volume of anti-diphtheria serums produced for three years was 2.5 times higher than the one produced for 21 years from the establishment of the institute. During these years the diphtheria toxoid and tableted antidysentery serum were launched.

In 1933, the bacteriological institute was renamed the Institute Of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the RSFSR People’s Health Committee. Its profile was scientific studies and production. In 1937, honored doctor of the RSFSR A.A. Bryukhanova became the director of the institute.

In the same year, the institute arranged the production of measles and meningococcal serums.

During the Great Patriotic War the institute’s team began mass production of serums for the prevention and treatment of anaerobic infections - gas gangrene, tetanus; it increased the production volume of dysentery and typhoid dry bacteriophages.

In 1942, a group of scientists under the guidance of A.V. Pshenichnova and B.I. Raikher developed a unique epidermal membrane method, which underlay the creation a cox-type vaccine, and the production of this vaccine urgently needed by the country in wartime began in the shortest possible time. The authors of this method were awarded the USSR State Prize.

During the Great Patriotic War the areas of scientific researches were closely connected with the production of new biological preparations. Theoretical studies were mostly focused on the phagocytic immunity and is connection with the antitoxic immunity. Researches of A.M. Glebova, A.A. Bornyakova and others showed the doubtless connection between the cellular and humoral factors in the antitoxic immunity.

Since 1950, new methods of purification and concentration of antitoxic serums and toxoids have been developed and introduced. The production of vaccines to prevent childhood diseases (diphtheria, pertussis) were of particular importance, so the production of some combined preparations – pertussis-diphtheria, pertussis-diphtheria-tetanus vaccines – began.

As a result of the hard creative work of the institute’s scientists the practical healthcare obtained new highly effective drugs: antibotulism serums, interferon, protein, colibacterin, immunoglobulin for the prevention and treatment of tick-borne encephalitis.

During these years the institute was working on the improvement of anti-pertussis preparations, obtaining of highly purified serum preparations, development and improvement of diagnostic preparations, with the leading position of rickettsial diagnosticums.

In 1988, by its order the USSR Ministry of Medical and Biological Industry established the scientific and production association Biomed, which included the Scientific and Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums as the main structural unit.

By that time, the institute had launched production of more than 40 names of medicinal immunobiological preparations. The institute’s scientists developed enzyme immunoassays to detect toxins of the botulism agent (Clostridium Botulinum), staphylococcal, tetanus and diphtheria antibodies etc.

In 1995, it opened the bacteriophage production site, conducted researches to extend the range of bacteriophages and develop new dosage forms (suppositories, tablets). By 1998, the range of produced preparations had significantly increased and included about 100 names.

Currently, according to the basic measures for the implementation of the Strategy of the Development of Russian Pharmaceutical Industry until 2020, Perm NPO Biomed is intensively working on the reconstruction and re-equipment of the main production sites, with special attention to the organization of finishing operations according to GMP requirements. This is especially important for improving the competitiveness of the products and integrating the company into the global biopharmaceutical market.

Due to its high scientific and production potential, NPO Biomed remains one of the leading developer and producer of a wide range of immunobiological preparations in Russia.