PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne paid a visit to the Saint Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums. The visit was intended to promote cooperation between the Pan American Health Organization and the Federal Medical and Biologic Agency of Russia (FMBA) incorporating SPbSRIVS. Carissa Etienne arrived in Russia to gain a first-hand impression of the latest achievements of Russian healthcare.
Earlier, in Moscow, PAHO and the Ministry of Health of Russia signed a Memorandum on strengthening and enhancing cooperation. From left to right: Head of FMBA Vladimir Uiba, Director of SPbSRIVS Viktor Trukhin, Director of PAHO Carissa Etienne at the Saint Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums (SPbSRIVS). The PAHO delegation also included WHO / PAHO Representative in Nicaragua Socorro Gross Galiano, WHO / PAHO Representative in Cuba Cristian Morales Fuhrimann, and PAHO Director of External Relations, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Alberto Kleiman. The delegation led by Dr. Etienne had a guided tour of the modern influenza vaccine production in Krasnoe Selo. During the tour, they met with scientists and vaccine developers. Significantly, the vaccine produced by SPbSRIVS is supplied to Latin America, with the first shipment being delivered through the PAHO Revolving Fund.
Besides, the visitors got an overview of the technology transfer for production of the Russian influenza vaccine in Nicaragua, where SPbSRIVS is implementing a joint Russian-Nicaraguan project for the construction of the Instituto Latinoamericano de Biotecnología MECHNIKOV. WHO / PAHO Representative in Cuba Cristian Morales Fuhrimann. WHO / PAHO Representative in Nicaragua Socorro Gross Galiano. The distinguished guests from PAHO appreciated the great scientific and production potential of SPbSRIVS, as well as ample opportunities for the knowledge and technology transfer to the MECHNIKOV production site.
They also took a favorable view of the Institute's plans to expand the range of pharmaceutical products and vaccines to be transferred, including as part of cooperation with enterprises of the FMBA of Russia within the upcoming North-West biopharmaceutical industrial cluster. The visit by the PAHO delegation to the SPbSRIVS became an occasion for Head of the FMBA of Russia Vladimir Uiba to meet with PAHO Director Carissa Etienne. Vladimir Uiba noted: “We hope that the great efforts made by Carissa Etienne and her colleagues right now will result in joint projects in training and technology transfer.” Photographs courtesy of SPbSRIVS press office.
