by InTrieste
In a groundbreaking move, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region is set to enhance its cooperation with Serbia through the MabTHER project. Spearheaded by the regional assessor for Labor, Training, Education, Research, University, and Family, Alessia Rosolen, and Icgeb’s Director General, Lawrence Banks, the project aims to develop expertise for the production of bio-similar drugs in Serbia.
“This project is the natural progression of our collaboration, starting with the establishment of Icgeb-funded laboratories in the region. It will have a positive impact in the Balkan region, solidifying Friuli Venezia Giulia’s role as a technological incubator in life sciences,” said Rosolen.
The initiative involves knowledge transfer from Icgeb to Serbia’s Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy for the development and production of the biosimilar drug Mab Trastuzumab. This monoclonal antibody is crucial in treating breast and stomach cancers. Serbian researchers will receive support in acquiring the necessary skills at Icgeb’s Biotechnology Development Unit, gaining advanced knowledge in various aspects of laboratory-scale drug production under research and development conditions.
Following technology transfer, Icgeb personnel will assist Serbian researchers in replicating the Trastuzumab production process in Serbia, utilizing local facilities and industries. Banks emphasized that building local production capabilities is a cornerstone for creating employment, wealth, and local stability.
The pilot initiative focuses on transferring Icgeb’s optimized technologies, developed over many years, ensuring Serbian biopharmaceuticals meet the standards of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Pharmacopoeia. This enables the production and local marketing of these products at significantly lower costs than traditional international supply chains, making healthcare more accessible locally and simultaneously generating jobs and production capacity in Serbia and surrounding areas.
Assessor Rosolen highlighted, “Beyond the scientific aspect, the production of low-cost drugs in Serbia addresses a central theme for the regional administration: social sustainability. Sharing knowledge and production techniques with neighboring nations, such as the Balkans, tackles inequalities in the pharmaceutical market, strengthening international cooperation.”
The MabTHER project’s implications include enhancing Serbian research institutions’ skills in biosimilar drug production, increasing opportunities for low-cost product development, and fostering collaboration between Icgeb, Inep, and industrial partners. The initiative will also showcase and promote the technological development expertise of Friuli Venezia Giulia in the Balkan region.
