BioChimFarm Invested 17.5 Million in Opening a New Phage Enterprise
The Georgian biopharmaceutical company "BioChimFarm" has completed the process of modernization and retooling of the historical bacteriophage (phage) enterprise.
With the support of the European Union, EBRD, FAO and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, a 2-year investment project of 17.5 million GEL (€6,000,000) was implemented.
As a result, "BioChimFarm" equipped the enterprise in accordance with EU GMP (good manufacturing practice) guidelines, which is a standard accepted in the EU. In this way, the company plans to apply for GMP certification in the coming months.
"Production of phage preparations and phage therapy is still a novelty in most countries of the world. Millions of people still lack access to phages, leaving patients vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections. With this project, the company is increasing its production capacity and export area, as a result of which phages will be available to millions of patients around the world. Modernization of the enterprise's high-tech infrastructure and production lines allows the company to expand production in accordance with internationally recognized production standards, to become more effective in the fight against resistant infections and to overcome the global threat of antibiotic resistance", said Rati Gholijashvili, general manager of "BioChimFarm".
The newly modernized plant of "BioChimFarm" is located in the historical Bacteriophage Institute in Tbilisi and is the first plant in the South Caucasus that produces bare, sterile forms of the drug and covers the full production cycle, including the production of active pharmaceutical substances (APIs). Primary and secondary packaging of medicines is also carried out at the enterprise.
EBRD provided the loan through its partner financial institution, "Procredit Bank". The loan aimed to comply with international production standards (GMP - good manufacturing practice), which is mandatory for access to the European Union and other international markets.
In addition, the European Union will additionally transfer a grant to the company, within the framework of the EU4Business-EBRD credit line.
And from the European Union and FAO, the company received a corresponding grant of €125,000 within the framework of the ENPARD co-financing grant program aimed at supporting the production of "PowerPhage". In particular, the production of a phage-based, natural antimicrobial drug that replaces antibiotics in the meat industry and poultry farms. This co-financing grant is part of a total investment aimed at a 300% increase in PowerPhage production. The grant contribution was used to upgrade the production line.
"BioChimFarm" is a Georgia-based biopharmaceutical company that produces bacteriophage (phage) preparations. Currently, phage drugs are the only available alternative to antibiotics worldwide. The company exports phages to 8 countries, employs more than 60 people, owns 2 international patents and almost 100 years of experience in phage research, development and production.