PM: Belarus should start using lactoferrin in 2013

Belarus should start using lactoferrin in practice in 2013, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said at a meeting to discuss the prospects of the biotechnology industry in Belarus. The meeting was held in the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, BelTA has learnt.

Lactoferrin is a unique and multifunctional protein. It is a natural antibiotic for its antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and immunomodulatory properties. It also has anti-inflammatory functions. The practical application of this protein should be started in 2013, the Premier said.

Reviewing the biotechnology industry development, the PM noted that Belarus has established several production facilities that manufacture innovative products for a number of industries, including agriculture. The Premier said that some very promising innovative projects are implemented in agriculture; however, the process could make a better progress. For example, the development of biotechnologies in crop growing is dragging on slowly. The process is more dynamic in animal breeding.

Mikhail Myasnikovich believes that the work of the pharmaceutical industry should be approached more critically and seriously, because the future belongs to medicines manufactured using biotechnologies. The same approach should be applied to veterinary science.

The Premier noted that a lot can be said about the prospects of the biotechnology industry. However, Mikhail Myasnikovich is convinced that this fledgling industry will find it hard to move on, unless the government offers some incentives. “If we say that the biotechnology industry is our priority, we need to come up with adequate stimuli,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.

He urged representatives of ministries and concerns to take as much money as needed from innovation funds to implement projects related to biotechnologies.

During the meeting the Premier was informed about the progress in implementing the government program Innovative Biotechnologies for 2010-2012, the Biotechnology Industry Development Plan for 2012-2015 and for the period until 2020. Mikhail Myasnikovich familiarized himself with the work of the Center for Cellular Technologies of the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, and discussed problems and prospects of using stem cells in medicine.