MUSCAT, JAN 7
A consignment of fermenting machines at the heart of a new penicillin plant under development at Sohar Freezone – the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – arrived at Sohar Port recently.
According to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the consignment of six massive fermenters – each weighing 62.7 tonnes and measuring 17.40 meters in length – was shipped aboard MSC Brianna from Munda and Nhava Sheva on India’s west coast, and discharged at Hutchison Ports Sohar’s container terminal at Sohar Port.
“The fermenters are poised to serve as the cornerstone of Oman’s first biotechnology manufacturing facility. This cutting-edge plant is set to produce Penicillin-G, a critical component in the production of the world’s most commonly used antibiotics. The arrival of these fermenters marks a pivotal moment, signaling Oman’s entry into the global biotechnology arena and addressing a crucial demand for life-saving medications,” said MSC in a post.
“Such a complex move required both planning, teamwork and expertise to ensure safe and precise handling at every stage,” the Swiss-Italian shipping line added.
Fermenters, also known as bioreactors, are large, vat-like containers used to grow bacteria and fungi for the production of, in this particular instance, penicillin. Typically made from stainless steel, present-day fermenters are highly automated and computerized for optimal antibiotic production.
The consignment is destined for the Penicillin General Integrated Industrial Company (Pen-G), which in April 2022, signed agreements for the establishment of a state-of-art fermentation plant in Sohar Freezone. The facility, billed as the first biotechnology manufacturing plant in the entire MENA region, will specialize in the manufacture of Penicillin G, 6-APA and Semi Synthetic Penicillin API - key start-up materials for the most widely used group of antibiotics.
Backing the biotech project is the partnership of Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC (MHD), one of Oman’s largest business houses, and Ali Moosa al Bulushi, a reputed Omani banker and entrepreneur who also specializes in providing complete project life-cycle management services for pharma projects.
Pen-G says its plans to leverage its proximity to Sohar Port to access global trade routes between Asia and Europe for both acquisition of raw materials as well as export of start-up materials for antibiotic production. Once operational, this plant is expected to cater to the demand for Penicillin GK raw material amounting to nearly 10 per cent of the world's consumption.
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