TLDR:
- FutureMed Ventures KZ, a Kazakh-American venture fund, aims to position Kazakhstan as a destination for clinical trials.
- The fund invests in brain tissue regeneration technology for severe ischemic strokes and plans to conduct phase 2 trials in Kazakhstan in December.
FutureMed Ventures KZ, a venture fund established in Delaware, is focusing on promoting Kazakhstan as a prominent destination for clinical trials. The fund’s unique concept aims to accelerate Kazakh scientific progress and attract companies from the biotech and medtech sectors globally. FutureMed Ventures KZ has invested in technology for brain tissue regeneration after severe ischemic strokes, completing phase 1 trials in the United States and preparing for phase 2 trials in Kazakhstan in December. The fund’s managing partner, Almas Kenessary, highlighted the importance of this technology due to the high prevalence of ischemic strokes, emphasizing the need for effective solutions.
Kazakhstan’s healthcare capabilities, particularly in cardiovascular surgery, have attracted international attention, with many clinics achieving Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. The country offers advantages for conducting clinical trials, including lower costs and faster timelines compared to the United States. Kenessary emphasized the cost-effectiveness of conducting trials in Kazakhstan and the streamlined bureaucratic processes that facilitate quicker approvals. The centralized healthcare system in Kazakhstan also aids in patient recruitment, expediting the trial process.
Furthermore, Kenessary discussed the transformation of the clinical trials market in Kazakhstan in recent years, noting a shift in societal attitudes towards clinical trials. The focus on pharmacogenetics underscores the importance of clinical trials in understanding individual responses to drugs. The fund’s efforts to position Kazakhstan as a hub for innovative medical technologies align with its goal of advancing the country’s role in the global biotech and medtech sectors.
