So, the Russians are claiming that there are tons of biochemical weapons plants in the Ukraine.  And, that’s how they anticipate justifying their use of chem bio warfare in Ukraine- they’ll blame the attacks on Ukrainians attacking their own people.  (This is not Syria, folks!) Just like they claim it’s not Russian bombs leveling hospitals, kid centers, and schools, but Ukrainians attacking each other.

But, there is a grain of truth to the Russian claim.  A tiny seed- so don’t get too excited.

Back when it was Ukrainian SSR, when Ukraine was a part of the Soviet empire, the Soviets built up extensive bio and chemical research facilities in the Ukraine.  In particular, Ukrainian scientists had about the most extensive “library” of novel molecules and chemical building blocks of any entity around the world.  Once the Empire folded, the scientists in the Ukraine realized the gold mine upon which they sat- and began creating firms that could exploit these libraries and supply the world- but especially Big Pharma- with the building blocks they would need to create even better drugs.  For good, not for evil.

Let’s focus on just one such entity- Enamine.  Which rose from the ashes of the Soviet Empire in 1991.  A scant two years after the demise of the Berlin Wall.  And, it was created when Ukrainian SSR became the independent nation of Ukraine.  The firm not only had the extensive chemical library (consider this the “lego blocks” for chemical and biologic developments- except they are chemicals- to build and test new drugs and chemicals), but the qualified and eminent scientists to exploit that technology.

After two decades, Enamine is probably the most sought after entity to help Big Pharma manifest their drug delivery programs. But, Enamine has gone beyond being just the supplier of the various ‘lego blocks’- they help firms concoct new compounds from these vital building block components.  As a matter of fact, until Russia invaded Ukraine, Enamine was diligently working on a brand new therapy for COVID-19.

Involving almost 600 scientists around the world (Enamine employed about 700 of its own in its Ukraine base of Kyiv), about 20000 potential compounds were being screened for their ability to stop SARS-CoV-2 cold- to preclude its replication.  (The target is the protease present in the coronavirus- the same one that’s the target of Paxlovid, the antiviral from Pfizer.)

Enamine had been delivering the components for additional testing in Israel, the UK (London), and the US (Chicago and New York).   For two years!

And, they were almost ready to celebrate their success with a tremendous celebration on 24 February.  But, that’s when the Russian tanks arrived.  And, forced Enamine’s staff to evanesce to safe quarters around the world.

But, it’s not just the COVID-19 therapy.  It was rumored that Enamine was involved in the development of billions of new chemical combinations that were to be tested world-wide.

But, now those clinical trials that were soon to start are probably delayed for a very long time.

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