OREANDA-NEWS. November 21, 2011. State Corporation ‘Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)’ and OJSC RT-Biotechprom signed a package of documents for funding the project to build Russia’s largest biotech drugs manufacturing facility “FORT”. The project is being implemented by RT-Biotechprom together with LLC Fort.

The FORT project provides for the construction of a pharmaceutical integrated production facility in line with GMP standard. The project is unique and it provides for a full production cycle of original innovative biotech medicines starting from drug substances manufacturing stage.

Solutions developed by scientists and specialists of the facility together with leading think tanks of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in the field molecular designing and biotechnology, formulation of officinal medicines of immobilized cytokines, vaccine for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases are original.

The total amount of investments in the project is estimated at more than 4.8 billion rubles. The facility is to be put in operation in 2013; rated capacity is scheduled to be achieved in 2015.

Vnesheconombank’s and State Corporation Rostechnologies’ participation in the FORT project is effected under the Protocol of Intent signed in September of 2010 at the Baikal Economic Forum. The Protocol provides for cooperation between the parties in implementing investment projects and programs including in biotechnological, medical and pharmaceutical areas.

The project enjoys support on federal and regional levels. Under the Ryazan region Government’s resolution the project was given a status of high-priority investment project.

“This project is a vivid example of Vnesheconombank’s activity in funding innovation projects. Pharmaceutics is one of Vnesheconombank’s high priority lines of activity. In order to make the Russian economy more competitive Vnesheconombank’s efforts are aimed at boosting innovation activity, developing import-substituting technologies”, said Board Member, Vnesheconombank Deputy Chairman Anatoly Ballo.