MOSCOW, December 6. /TASS/. Russia exported domestic vaccines to more than 60 countries during the pandemic, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, addressing the Knowledge. Lecture Hall project.

He cited the pandemic as proof of Russia's biotech prowess. Four vaccines were registered then, with production taking place at home, as well as abroad. "We exported them to more than 60 world countries. You can count on one hand the states that are capable of dealing with such hard challenges," Mishutin pointed out.

The prime minister also lauded the work of Russian scientists. For example, the first Russian full-genome DNA sequencer (a device that decodes genes) was manufactured this year. "We need it for conducting gene research. Data received is used for diagnosing rare hereditary and other diseases. We plan to produce ten of these sequencers next year," Mishustin noted.

According to him, a medicine for treating ankylosing spondylitis (a chronic disease affecting the intervertebral joints and their subsequent fusion) became one of the Russian world-class developments. "If it proves effective, it will help a great many people," hopes Mishustin.

The prime minister praised young scientists in endoprosthetics for their work in creating artificial corneas and collagen membranes. He also noted that efforts to diagnose cancer in its early stages have achieved significant success as well.