Biosan and Biolabmix Group of Companies have launched in Novosibirsk the first industrial production of reagents required for the creation of mRNA vaccines against viral, bacterial infections and cancer, TASS reports.

The necessary mRNA (matrix ribonucleic acid) is assembled from these components. The mechanism of action of the mRNA vaccine is to transfer information to create an immune response. The vaccine contains RNA with the genetic code for a protein that is specific to the pathogen. When the RNA enters the cell, cellular mechanisms create this protein. The immune system recognizes the protein as an antigen and creates a specific defense. In a true infection, the system quickly recognizes the pathogen and prevents the development of disease.

Many research institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Health, Rospotrebnadzor, FMBA, as well as development institutes such as Skolkovo, Sirius, and Fiztech use these reagents to create vaccines. According to Vladimir Richter, deputy director of Biosan, it is difficult for vaccine creators to obtain these components on their own, as they need a variety of equipment, fermenters for enzyme build-up, as well as chromatographic equipment and competencies in chemical synthesis.

“We have launched Russia's first production of reagents for mRNA vaccines. Packaging with solutions in test tubes, let's call them 'cubes'. Let's imagine that a vaccine or mRNA preparation needs to be assembled from them. There are many cubes, they are different, each has its own color. There are chemical, enzymatic and biotechnological cubes,” explained Vladimir Richter.

In addition, Biosan has imported reagents for genetic engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry and fundamental medicine. “We have managed to organize the production of some of these components, which are not actually purchased now. In addition, we produce a whole range of PCR kits and here we have significantly managed to squeeze out imported competitors. We can say that Russia has achieved import-independence for these reagents,” said the Deputy Director.

Earlier PharmMedProm reported that long before the COVID-19 pandemic, specialists from the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and biotechnology companies Biosan and Biolabmix had developed a base for creating vaccines based on matrix RNA (mRNA).

In March 2023, a new vaccine for tuberculosis prevention was created by employees of the Scientific Center for Translational Medicine of Sirius University based on matrix RNA (mRNA).