N.F. Gamaleya Center and Petrovax Pharm join forces to advance innovative medicines
The National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the biopharmaceutical company Petrovax Pharm have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The partnership is aimed at developing and producing novel pharmaceuticals to combat cancer, orphan, and infectious diseases. The cooperation will focus on substance manufacturing technology transfer projects.
This step is a logical continuation of the joint work that began in 2024, when N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM and Petrovax Pharm completed the substance biosynthesis technology transfer for the drug Fabagal® (agalsidase beta) used to treat Fabry disease. This initiative resulted in the first full-cycle manufacture of an orphan medicine localized in Russia.
Next, N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM and Petrovax Pharm intend to localize the full-cycle production of socially significant pharmaceuticals and vaccines. In 2025, the companies will launch a substance synthesis technology transfer project for the immuno-oncological product Areima® (camrelizumab), authorized in Russia in 2024. This is the country’s first immuno-oncological drug developed to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a cancer with a high fatality rate. This original product presents a unique opportunity to extend and improve the quality of life for patients. The drug has been recommended by the Council of Experts with the participation of leading Russian oncologists for inclusion in the Clinical Guidelines for the Treatment of Esophageal Cancer and Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Further research is planned to expand the indications for use.
Innovative developments and full-cycle production localization projects for vital drugs are not just a trend, but a necessity for the Russian pharmaceutical industry. Today, our country urgently requires its own technologies and vital medicines. A new alliance will be an important step towards strengthening drug safety and developing the domestic pharmaceutical industry in Russia.
As part of the Cooperation Agreement, the parties also intend to exchange experience and scientific information, provide training and present research results.
In addition to new deep localization projects for cancer and infection medications, Petrovax Pharm and N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM will jointly work on the development of key technological platforms in Russia used to develop modern drugs.
Reference information
The Federal Government Budgetary Institution "National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation is one of the oldest scientific research centers in Russia. The center has a unique collection of viruses and its own vaccine production line. Since the 1980s, N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM specialists have been developing a technological platform based on adenoviruses originally isolated from human adenoids. N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM successfully created and registered two vector Ebola virus disease vaccines in 2015 (with another vaccine registered in 2020) using adenovirus-based vectors. The vaccines have been officially approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. N.F. Gamaleya NRCEM also applied adenoviral vectors to develop vaccines against influenza and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Both vaccines are currently in the advanced stages of clinical trials. The NRCEM coordinates microbiological research and studies infectious disease epidemiology. It houses nine specialized centers of the Russian Ministry of Health and the Department of Infectiology of the Sechenov University.
