Uzbekistan and Beyond Health Discuss Establishment of Domestic Peptide Drug Production

Uzbekistan and Singapore held discussions aimed at expanding interaction in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, scientific research, and education. The main focus was placed on joint academic programs, the implementation of advanced research methods, and specialist training.

Discussions took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The dialogues occurred during a meeting between Abdullah Azizov, Director of the Agency of Uzbekistan for the Development of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry, and representatives of Singapore's scientific and educational institutions.

The Singaporean delegation included Dr. E Jin, representing A*STAR, and Professor Caroline Lee from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

The parties examined opportunities to create joint educational programs, conduct collaborative scientific work, and strengthen academic ties between the institutions of the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to the exchange of professional experience, training qualified personnel, and implementing modern research methodologies in areas such as genomics, bioinformatics, and precision medicine.

They also discussed prospects for strengthening partnerships between universities and scientific centers operating in these fields.

Infrastructure Tour

After the meetings concluded, the Singaporean delegation visited the BioPharma City cluster, where they were shown the infrastructure and key projects. Visitors received information about the opportunities developing in Uzbekistan to support pharmaceutical production, scientific research, and clinical development.

The delegation also visited the Pharmaceutical Technical University (PTU), where group members familiarized themselves with the curricula and main directions of the institution's scientific activities.

These visits allowed for an examination of Uzbekistan's existing educational and research base and the study of potential areas for institutional cooperation.

Following the negotiations, the parties determined the next steps for developing joint educational projects and research initiatives. Furthermore, they discussed strengthening ties between universities and scientific institutes in Uzbekistan and Singapore to support future cooperation in pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and medical research.

The Agency of Uzbekistan for the Development of Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry and the Swiss company F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Roche) signed a memorandum of understanding. The goal of the agreement is to study prospects for localizing pharmaceutical production in the country.

According to the agency, this agreement provides for the creation of a joint working group. The main objective of the memorandum is to develop Uzbekistan's pharmaceutical infrastructure, assess the potential for local production of innovative medicines, and attract international experience.

Before making practical decisions, the parties will conduct a comprehensive assessment of technical, regulatory, and economic aspects. The working group will include representatives from the management of the agency and Roche, who will coordinate research areas and prepare a joint report on the feasibility of localizing production.

The parties intend to consider the possibility of local production of drugs intended for the treatment of oncological, hematological, and ophthalmological diseases, as well as rare diseases. An assessment of the compliance of local production facilities with international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements and their technological capabilities will also be conducted.

The phased assessment will also cover the prospects for secondary packaging of medicines, batch quality control, primary packaging of selected medications, and technology transfer. The agency notes that this initiative should strengthen the technical capabilities of Uzbekistan's pharmaceutical industry, identify opportunities for localizing innovative drugs, and promote the adoption of international quality standards.