Collaboration with the Chinese company BGI
In March 2024, a memorandum was signed between QazBioPharm and BGI aimed at conducting joint research in the fields of biology, biotechnology, virology, chemistry, genetics, medicine, and other related areas.
As part of the collaboration, the following projects are being implemented:
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Laboratory
In May 2020, BGI Genomics, in cooperation with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, opened two mobile COVID-19 diagnostic laboratories in Astana and Almaty.
Between 2021 and 2024, BGI, together with its local partner — the scientific and production company “BIOGEN Technopark” LLP — introduced precision medicine technologies. The Astana Genetic Center was established, specializing in a wide range of molecular genetic testing related to reproductive health, diagnosis of hereditary diseases, and oncology monitoring.
A project on non-invasive prenatal screening is planned to be launched with the support of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan to improve maternal and child health and reduce the risks of congenital disorders.
- Scientific and Innovation Collaboration
At the same time, active cooperation continues to expand the application of precision medicine approaches in public health, disease diagnosis, testing, and prevention.
On October 18, 2023, during the official visit of the Head of State to Beijing, a Term Sheet agreement was signed between “Qazaqstan Investment Corporation” JSC (QIC), BGI Group, and the Forebright Capital Asia Foundation regarding QIC’s participation in the Forebright Life Science Technology Fund.
In July 2024, during the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan, QIC and BGI Group signed a Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA).
The newly created fund will focus on financing innovative projects in the field of multi-omics technologies and synthetic biology. The total fund size is USD 200 million, with QIC contributing USD 20 million.
- Astana Genetic Center Joint Laboratory
On July 18, 2024, QazBioPharm National Holding JSC and Beijing Genomics Institute jointly hosted an innovation forum titled “Implementation and Development of Innovative Genomic and Omics Technologies.”
The event was attended by the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Science and Innovation K.D. Zakarya, Minister of Health A.Sh. Alnazarova, BGI Group CEO Yin Ye, leading scientists and specialists, as well as representatives of public and private organizations.
During the forum, the official opening of the joint Astana Genetic Center laboratory took place at the National Center for Biotechnology.
Reference: Astana Genetic Center conducts cutting-edge genetic research and develops innovative treatment methods.
- QazBioPharm Working Visit to BGI Group Headquarters
From September 18 to 20, 2024, an expert group from QazBioPharm visited the BGI Group headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
The delegation held meetings with BGI Group’s affiliated entities including BGI-Research, BGI-College, China National GeneBank (CNGB), BGI-Medicine, GigaScience, BGI-Genomics, MGI, BGI-Bioverse, BGI Nutri, FGI, and BGI-Cell, as well as with the leadership of China National GeneBank (CNGB) — one of the key scientific infrastructures in Shenzhen, supported and funded by the Chinese government.
Reference: Since its creation, CNGB has been built and managed by BGI Research and is dedicated to supporting public welfare, life science research, innovation, and industry by efficiently preserving, digitalizing, and utilizing biological resources.
Additionally, following the visit, in October 2024 QazBioPharm submitted a draft Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of education and professional development to BGI-College (response from BGI-College is pending).
Collaboration with the Finnish company Orion Corporation
On December 4, 2023, in Helsinki (Finland), QazBioPharm National Holding JSC and the leading Finnish pharmaceutical company ORION PHARMA signed a Partnership and Supply Agreement.
The agreement provides for a technology transfer and the production of the domestically manufactured drug “Levosimendan” at the OtarBioPharm biopharmaceutical plant.
Note: The product name may change upon registration for medical use. The drug is used to treat acute decompensated heart failure and is produced using the active pharmaceutical ingredient Levosimendan, a proprietary compound developed by Orion Corporation.
The Levosimendan product will be manufactured at OtarBioPharm in sterile conditions in accordance with GMP standards, packaged in 6R glass vials, single-dose (5 ml) in the form of a concentrated infusion solution.
Reference: One industrial batch is expected to consist of 3,000 doses, which, based on annual procurement monitoring, meets the minimum domestic market demand for Levosimendan in the Republic of Kazakhstan for one year.
According to clause 266 of the Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 7, 2023, No. 110 “On approval of the rules for the procurement of medicines, medical devices and specialized therapeutic products under the guaranteed volume of free medical care, additional medical care for persons held in detention centers and penal correctional institutions at the expense of the state budget and/or the compulsory social health insurance system,” OtarBioPharm LLP submitted letters (No. 383/1 dated 27.12.2023 and No. PR-505 dated 28.05.2024) requesting consideration of the possibility of concluding a long-term contract.
However, as of today, no response has been received from SK-Pharmacy.
Furthermore, according to a letter from Zhanar Myrzaliyeva, the Orion Corporation management has decided that contracts related to the supply of Levosimendan API will be handled independently by Orion’s subsidiary company Fermion.
QazBioPharm will need to initiate negotiations on revising the current contract or signing a new agreement for the supply of the API.
Collaboration with the French company Boehringer Ingelheim
January 16, 2024
Following the President of Kazakhstan’s working visit to France in 2022, a directive was issued (No. 22-93-5.21 dated December 20, 2022) to initiate negotiations with the French company Boehringer Ingelheim (hereinafter – BI) regarding the supply and technology transfer of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, the enhancement of competencies of Kazakhstani biotechnologists, and the establishment of joint vaccine production.
Subsequently, according to clause 1.11 of the action plan following the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Republic of Kazakhstan on November 1, 2023 (No. 23-93-4.13), the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Construction, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Akimat of Zhambyl Region, and QazBioPharm National Holding JSC were tasked with working together with Boehringer Ingelheim France on organizing FMD vaccine production at the facilities of QazBioPharm (specifically, at the OtarBioPharm plant).
In line with these assignments, on January 16, 2024, a License, Supply and Partnership Agreement was signed between QazBioPharm and BI.
According to the terms of the signed agreement, QazBioPharm and BI agreed on a two-stage technology transfer:
- Stage 1 (2024–2025): procurement of bulk product, filling and packaging of approximately 23 million doses of FMD vaccines for livestock at the domestic OtarBioPharm plant located in Zhambyl Region;
- Stage 2 (tentatively from 2026): establishment of full-cycle production of the vaccine in Kazakhstan.
February 24 – March 3, 2024
From February 24 to March 3, 2024, the SALON DE L’AGRICULTURE 2024 agricultural exhibition took place in Paris, France, with the participation of more than 1,000 companies from around the world presenting their products.
To promote exports and showcase the products of QazBioPharm and its subsidiaries internationally, the following representatives participated in the exhibition:
- Bakytzhan Yrsalyuly Sartbayev, Head of the Marketing and Export Promotion Unit of the Department of International Cooperation, Marketing and Promotion;
- Ainur Sultanovna Nurpeisova, Deputy General Director of the Kazakh Research Veterinary Institute;
- Erbol Dosanovich Burashev, Head of Laboratory at the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems.
QazBioPharm presented 21 product items, including 11 vaccines and 10 diagnostic kits.
December 18–19, 2024
As part of cooperation with Boehringer Ingelheim, on December 18–19, 2024, a training and internship program was held for employees of QazBioPharm and its subsidiaries at the Boehringer Ingelheim office in Lyon, France.
During the event, the following topics were covered:
- Methodology for quality control of the manufactured FMD vaccine for animals;
- Key aspects of vaccination, features of immune response formation, and procedures for collecting blood samples for post-vaccination monitoring;
- Methodology for conducting serological studies as part of post-vaccination monitoring and more.