Launch of the National Fund for Innovation and Technology Transfer
On March 28, Chișinău hosted a major event marking a significant milestone for the future of Moldova’s economy and research sector. The launch of the National Fund for Innovation and Technology Transfer, with a budget of 35 million lei, represents a solid step toward stimulating scientific research and applying it in key economic areas. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Education and Research, and according to Minister Dan Perciun, the fund will foster collaboration between the scientific and economic sectors.
“This event demonstrates our commitment to generating more added value. Moldova has the potential — we are rich in creativity and inventiveness. We are seeking long-term capital, and this fund is a tool that will encourage innovation and research.” emphasized Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
In this context, Balkan Pharmaceuticals has become a prime example of effective collaboration, demonstrating how applied research can yield tangible economic and educational impact. During a presentation at the event, the company highlighted its progress and the advantages of local biosimilar production.
“Our research projects, particularly in the development and production of biosimilars, have been made possible thanks to local partnerships with USMF and ANCD, as well as international collaboration with ICGEB, part of the United Nations system. As a result, we’ve managed to develop a technological platform that meets both industry needs and international standards.” stated Gheorghe Bacinschi, representative of Balkan Pharmaceuticals.
Balkan Pharmaceuticals collaborated with the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (USMF) to develop a technology transfer project focused on cultivating Pichia pastoris, and the results are already evident: the creation of a cell bank for storage, completion of preclinical studies, production of pilot industrial batches, preparations for clinical and stability studies, as well as the finalization of the industrial platform setup.
“The technology transfer project, aimed at cultivating Pichia pastoris as a raw material for somatropin expression—with a total budget of 2,620,000 lei—demonstrates Moldova’s capacity to manage complex production processes under local conditions. It was a key step in realizing that applied research can directly contribute to economic development by expanding the portfolio of locally produced medicines, creating new jobs, and boosting the export market.” added Dr. Habil. Livia Uncu, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Associate Professor at USMF “Nicolae Testemițanu.”
Local production of biosimilars could address a pressing need within Moldova’s healthcare system: reducing dependency on imports. Biosimilars—safe and effective alternatives to original biopharmaceuticals—offer a viable solution for cutting public healthcare costs while maintaining the effectiveness of modern treatments. For instance, biosimilar insulin is 50 times cheaper than insulin extracted from pig pancreas.
Investing in biotechnology is not just an economic choice, but a strategic necessity for Moldova’s medical and scientific sovereignty. Balkan Pharmaceuticals has already proven that it’s possible to turn an idea into reality, and that through collaboration between the private sector, academia, and the state, excellence in applied research can be built.
Thus, Moldova is no longer just a bystander in this era of innovation—it is a player.
