The Tomsk branch of NGO Microgen scales pegylated interferon manufacturing process

Earlier a laboratory in Tomsk branch of NGO Microgen successfully produced innovative pegylated recombinant interferon alfa-2b.

Modern high-tech anti-viral drug product was obtained within research and development activities by the experts of Department of R&D and Pilot Production of Drugs Products of NGO Virion. Development of recombinant interferon alfa-2b was based on the innovative solutions of pharmaceutical biotechnology.

Production of interferon is a natural protective reaction of the body in response to infection. Interferons inhibit viral replication, as well as stimulate antiviral immunity. Chemical modification of interferon by attaching polyethylene glycol (PEGylation) allows for significant increase of the effectiveness of antiviral therapy due to prolonged action and lower toxicity of the product. Today, the domestic market mostly include foreign counterparts of recombinant interferon alfa-2b produced in Tomsk.

From a medical point of view, the main properties of interferon are antiviral and anticancer effects. Most current treatments for hepatitis C include isolated or combined use of interferon with other drugs. Increase incidence in the world reflects the high importance of the problem and the need to market novel effective and affordable drug products.

"All our efforts are aimed at the development of safer, more effective drugs that do not have side effects and allows to save as many people as possible",  said Oleg Stronin, head of the Department of Drug Product Development and Pilot Production of at NGO Virion.

Every day, global pharmaceutical industry continues intensive development of novel groups of drug products ensuring significant increase in the effectiveness of hepatitis C antiviral therapy for and allowing to make this condition treatable. NGO Microgen constantly invests in new technologies and systematically improves the process at all stages of production and distribution of drug products. Considering import substitution, the entry of novel domestic pegylated interferon alfa-2b into the pharmaceutical market for the treatment of Russian patients will make it more affordable.

Currently, the laboratory technology developed in Tomsk for the production of finished dosage forms has been scaled to the pilot level. There are quality control methods being developed, as well as design of clean rooms and equipment at the site of recombinant drugs production at NGO Microgen beast in Tomsk "NGO" Virion ".

Today the main goal of the Virion team is to organize pilot production and get a quality product", said Alexander Koltunov, director of NGO Microgen branch in Tomsk.