Microgen () is Russia's largest producer of immunobiological products, one of the three largest pharmaceutical companies in Russia. According to the Russian Minister of Health, Veronika Skvortsova, Microgen is of strategic importance for Russia's national security. History The Scientific and Production Association Microgen was established in May 2003 as a result of the merger of state-owned enterprises producing medical immunobiological products and other medical drugs. Following a decision of the Russian Government, the association was created "to provide for the country's needs for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic immunobiological preparations". In 2006, Microgen started shipping its combined vaccines against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis B, as well as against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis B (DTP-Hep B, Hepatitis-Td). In 2010, Microgen began production of an improved formula for dry live influenza vaccine "Ultravak". In 2011, the company received the first samples of bacteriophage preparation against the pathogen Acinetobacter, which is the causative agent of a large number of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections and is resistant to antibiotics. Microgen started testing a new anti-tick vaccine for children. In 2011, Microgen supplied more than 60 million doses of vaccines to the various regions of Russia, including BCG (tuberculosis), Grippol, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus), measles and rubella, as well as more than 12 million doses of influenza vaccine. In 2012, Microgen began preparations for the transition to the International Standards of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (GMP). In the same year, the company delivered more than two million packages of bacteriophages and 19 million doses of influenza vaccine. In 2013, in addition to the existing vaccine against avian influenza (strain H5N1), Microgen initiated the development of pre-pandemic "Chinese flu" vaccine (strain H7N9). Peter Kanygin, formerly Head of a Rostec structure, was appointed as the director-general of the company. The association's net income has reached 1 bln. rubel. In March 2014 the company announced the development of a new generation of vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis based on continuous cell lines. In April 2014, Microgen announced the launch of clinical trials of the new combined penta-vaccine aDTB-HepB-Hib (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae). Structure and management Microgen is a Russian state company. Because of the special status of the company, its work is controlled personally by the Prime Minister of Russia. General Director – Peter Kanygin. In 2014, Microgen united nine operating companies located in 9 cities across Russia. Its major production sites are located in