Real breakthrough

We unveil medical developments from Belarusian scientists for the heart, calculating ageing, and identifying genetics

Belarusian scientists in the field of medicine have many unique developments, produced in part thanks to information technology and artificial intelligence. In this article, we will tell you about biomedical cellular products (BMCP), unique calculators for assessing the risk of various diseases, systems for screening ophthalmological problems in diabetes mellitus, and new medication against oncological diseases. Furthermore, our scientists are developing an approach to identify the patient’s genetic characteristics before prescribing medication. Now, more details on everything.

Ageing rate calculator

Last year, the Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds developed and implemented an information analytical system for calculating the risk of diseases.
“Scientists have also developed a domestic interactive calculator for a child’s physical development and nutrition, for selecting a diet from products of Belarusian producers,” reported Vasily Bogdan, Academic Secretary of Medical Sciences Department at Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences. “This calculator is intended for both doctors and parents. The first domestic interactive calculator for determining a person’s biological age and rate of ageing has also been created. In addition to this, the United Institute of Informatics Problems (UIIP) under the National Academy of Sciences has developed a neural network complex for the joint analysis of biomedical images and signals for the early diagnosis of lung diseases.”

In the context of tumours, eye and heart diseases

Belarusian scientists have created a prototype system for screening diabetic retinopathy using digital images of the retina. Software has also been developed to predict the long-term consequences of treating children with malignant neoplasms. At the Institute of Physiology under the National Academy of Sciences, a new computerised system for remote monitoring and correction of the cardiovascular system has been created. Scientists have developed an original software pipeline for processing data — images of the cerebral cortex — to assess the development of biological neural networks. At the Institute of Genetics and Cytology under the National Academy of Sciences, a calculator was devised for the first time to calculate the probability of complications when prescribing antithrombotic agents.

Yelena Duzh and Anna Malashevskaya — employees at the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering — analyse research
results on cell products                  Yelizaveta Kobetskaya

Test systems and wound-healing substances 

The Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds has developed and launched the production of a new, import-substituting wound-healing aerosol-type substance for external application to wounds for the treatment of burns and skin lesions. This product has regenerative, analgesic and antiseptic effects. Also, the production of sought-after products with import-substitution potential — including test systems for detecting the coronavirus antigen, influenza A and B viruses, and a spray with an antibacterial effect — continues at the scientific production site of this institute. The Republican Centre for Genomic Technologies of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology is conducting molecular genetic analysis of predisposition to a specific type of hearing impairment, as well as analysis of genes associated with the tolerability of neuroleptics and antidepressants.

Biomedical cell products

The creation of the first domestic modulators for the treatment of chronic limb ischaemia is the result of a cluster of innovative biomedical technologies from the Medical Sciences Department at the National Academy of Sciences, with the involvement of scientists from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering, and the Institute of Physiology. Original technologies for the production of biomedical cell products have been developed at the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering under the National Academy of Sciences. In 2024, such products were produced for the therapy of patients with oncological diseases, type 1 diabetes mellitus, neurological pathology, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Creating artificial DNA

Belarusian scientists have learnt to synthesise artificial DNA. At the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, one can see a unique example of the synergy of scientific thought and the production of medicines that are needed by modern society. Thus, the KhimFarmSintez structural unit produces approximately 15 anti-cancer drugs, with about seven new products in various stages of readiness.
Employees of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and the Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry specialise in the synthesis of artificial DNA and RNA constructs, which may serve as the basis for the development of personalised medicine methods.

Uncovering genetics

The self-sustained experimental production facility at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry under the National Academy of Sciences is primarily engaged in the development of test systems for detecting various pathological agents.
The National Academy of Sciences is conducting research in breakthrough areas such as bioorganic chemistry and synthetic biology, including the application of artificial intelligence mechanisms. Plans include selecting medications and treatments based on the patient’s genetic characteristics.

Centre for Experimental and Applied Virology at Institute of Biophysics and Cellular Engineering under Belarus' National
Academy of Sciences          Yelizaveta Kobetskaya

Keeping it local

The Belarusian domestic market accounts for 50 percent of locally manufactured medicines. In 2024, Belarusian pharmaceutical organisations registered over 1,200 medicinal products of various pharmacological groups, including 628 items produced domestically, which has allowed the share of domestic medicines on the internal market to reach 50 percent in recent years.

“These figures are the highest compared to the domestic markets of countries bordering Belarus,” said Vasily Filonyuk, Head of Science Department at the Healthcare Ministry. “Scientific research, experimental design and experimental technological work in the field of medicine are primarily aimed at creating new methods of providing medical care. In 2025, the budget allocates over Br45m for these purposes.”

Vasily Filonyuk emphasised that state medical and pharmaceutical organisations within the Healthcare Ministry — in close collaboration with scientific organisations within the National Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education, and the Sports and Tourism Ministry — will implement, and are implementing, more than 200 projects. As a result of such research, over 160 new methods of providing medical care were developed last year, aimed at the diagnosis, treatment, and medical prevention of socially significant diseases, rehabilitation and habilitation of patients, prosthetics, and sanitary-hygienic and epidemiological well-being of the population.

TO THE POINT

Belarus and Cuba plan to build a joint pharmaceutical venture. 
The National Academy of Sciences has an interdisciplinary pharmaceutical cluster that brings together a number of organisations. One of these is Academpharm. It produces more than 45 names of full-cycle medicines and biologically active supplements. About 20 drugs are in development at various stages of readiness.
“Academpharm is implementing an investment project to set up pilot production of solid dosage forms using innovative technologies,” said Aleksei Trukhanov, Academic Secretary at Chemistry and Earth Sciences Department under the National Academy of Sciences. “We are co-operating with colleagues from India and Israel. We have quite constructive co-operation with Cuban partners. The issue of creating a joint pharmaceutical enterprise has been worked out, and a co-operation scheme has been planned, which includes not only the export of our medicines to Cubans, but also the import of medicines we are interested in.” Aleksei Trukhanov stressed that Belarusian scientists pay great attention to expanding the range of new and, most importantly, socially significant medicines aimed at treating diseases such as hepatitis B, Alzheimer’s disease, gout, and others.

By Yelena Basikirskaya