The Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU, Vladivostok) has launched the production of dietary supplements for detoxification and compensation of selenium and vitamins deficiency based on local raw materials, in particular, terrestrial and marine plants. The project is primarily aimed at teaching students: thanks to the new manufacturing line, they will have an opportunity to participate in the creation of a pharmaceutical product at all stages, from the development of a scientific concept to the creation of a product, the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation reports.
“The new enterprise is an experimental and technological site of the Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine of the FEFU. <…> The site is designed to make 100 units per week, and biologically active supplements can be produced in the form of capsules, powders, or syrups,” the message says. It is also stated that the experimental batches of the first drugs have already attracted interest from a Russian manufacturer of biocomplexes.
For example, FEFU scientists have developed Selenmar, a kelp-based drug. During the experiments, it turned out that the marine organism is able to compensate for the deficiency of selenium, which is a crucially important trace element for humans that participates in metabolic processes, affects the immunity, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the element is not synthesized in the body, coming exclusively from food.
In the late 2022, FEFU began developing drugs for the treatment of tumor diseases and antibiotics, with R-Pharm Group acting as a customer. In their developments, scientists use Pacific biota.