Torlak first among 14 institutions in WHO mRNA technology transfer program

The Torlak Institute has successfully completed the first phase of the World Health Organization's mRNA technology transfer program and, according to Institute Director Ivana Marinkovic, demonstrated the best results among the 14 participating institutions. Meanwhile, production of this year’s trivalent seasonal flu vaccine is underway at Torlak, and the opening of a new BSL-3 laboratory is also expected.

The Torlak Institute is the only facility in this part of Europe participating in the World Health Organization’s mRNA technology transfer program.

– What is particularly important, and a source of pride for us, is that the Torlak Institute is the first of the 14 institutions participating in this mRNA technology transfer program to demonstrate exceptionally successful results, ranking at the top in terms of performance – noted Institute Director Ivana Marinkovic during a broadcast on RTS News.

Representatives from the World Health Organization visited Belgrade last week to review Torlak’s results in the technology transfer process to date.

– We demonstrated how we have adopted these analytical methods and how our staff has been trained and acquired the necessary knowledge, and we are continuing to expand these capabilities – said the Torlak Director.

Equipment arrived, staff trained

The Institute is equipped to carry out the technology transfer, with support from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. However, Marinkovic emphasizes that, beyond the equipment, the knowledge acquired by the employees is crucial.

– Even more importantly, our staff adopted a very positive approach to the entire process, acquiring significant skills, knowledge, and training.

Training will continue, she added, enabling employees to keep pace with technological advancements and build upon the knowledge and capabilities they have already acquired.

From vaccines against infectious diseases to personalized therapy

Discussing the potential applications of mRNA technology, the Director of Torlak explains that it is a platform capable of supporting the development of various medical products.

– This platform allows for further work and the development of various processes and technologies to manufacture a range of products. These include vaccines for all infectious diseases, as well as oncology applications, specifically the development of therapeutic vaccines, including personalized therapeutic vaccines – said Marinkovic.

Following the successful completion of the first phase, Torlak, the World Health Organization, and the Ministry of Health are already discussing the next steps and a “more advanced phase” of implementing mRNA technology.

New BSL-3 laboratory for detecting dangerous pathogens

A new BSL-3 laboratory building has also been completed on the Torlak premises, and its opening is expected soon.

– This building enables us to expand our diagnostic capabilities; most importantly, however, we now have a fully equipped BSL-3 laboratory with a high level of safety, where pathogens that could pose a serious threat to the health of the population of the Republic of Serbia can be detected and accurately categorized – emphasized Marinkovic. She added that laboratory staff would operate under high safety standards, enabling them to detect potential public health threats in a timely manner.

Production of new flu vaccine underway

At the same time, Torlak has begun production of the trivalent seasonal flu vaccine.

According to the Institute’s director, this year’s production process is more demanding because the World Health Organization has changed all three strains included in the trivalent vaccine.

– Essentially, it is a new product every year. This entails extensive procedures and all the associated quality control measures during the production process itself – notes Marinkovic.

She emphasizes that production is proceeding smoothly.

– Production is proceeding without interruption, ensuring the population will be vaccinated on time – stated the director of the Torlak Institute.

Institut Torlak

Ministarstvo zdravlja Republike Srbije

Torlak Institute

Ministry of Health

World Health Institution

Ivana Marinković

mRNA technology transfer

BSL 3 laboratory

trivalent vaccine against seasonal flu

TORLAK Institute for Virology Vaccines and Sera Belgrade