THE ANTIBIOTICS INDUSTRY IN THE SOVIET BLOC

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• Document Page Count: 44
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
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• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: November 15, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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PROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT
THE ANTIBIOTICS INDUSTRY IN
THE SOVIET BLOC
CIA/RR PR-80
15 November 1954
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PROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT
THE ANTIBIOTICS INDUSTRY IN THE SOVIET BLDC
CIA/RR PR-80
(ORR Project 22.288)
NOTICE
The data and conclusions contained in this report
do not necessarily represent the final position of
ORR and should be regarded as provisional only and
subject to revision. Corpments and data which may
be available to the user are solicited.
Office of Research and Reports
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FOREWORD
This report, prepared jointly by the CIA Office of Research and
Reports and the Office of Scientific Intelligence, presents an
analysis of the production capabilities of the antibiotics industry
in the Soviet Bloc. Included as essential factors in that analysis
are trade data on the flow of antibiotics from the West to Soviet
Bloc countries and to points of possible transshipment to those
countries.
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CONTENTS
Page
SurrniIary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A. Definition and Occurrence . . . . . . . . . . . . ? 3
B. Raw Material Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 4
II. Production and Quality . . . . . . . . . ? ? . . . 4
A. Production . . . . . . . . . . . . ? . . . . . . L.
1. Penicillin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2. Other Antibiotics . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
B. Quality . . . . . . . . . . . .
III. Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. General . ? . . . .
B. US Exports to the East
C. Western European Exports to the East . . ? ? . . . . 9
IV. - Requirements . . . . . . . . ? . . . .
V. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions
14
14
A. Capabilities 14
B. Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . . 14
C. Intentions . . ? . ? ? . ? . . ? ? . . ? . . . . . . 15
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CONFiDENTIAL
Page
Appendixes
Appendix A. Possible and Known Antibiotics Plants in the
t; SSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Appendix B. Possible and Known Antibiotics Plants in the
European Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Appendix C. Known Antibiotics Plants in Corranunist China
and North Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Appendix D. Methods of Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Appendix E. Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . , . 33
Appendix F. Gaps in Intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Appendix G. Sources and Evaluation of Sources . . . . . . . . 37
1. Estimated Production of Penicillin in the Soviet Bloc,
1953 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Plants for the Production of Antibiotics Other Than
Penicillin in the Soviet Bloc, 1949-54 . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. US Exports of Antibiotics to Communist China, Hong Kong,
and macao, 1950-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Hong Kong Imports and Exports of Antibiotics, 1952-53 . . . 11
5. Exports of Antibiotics by Non-Soviet Bloc Countries to the
World and to the Soviet Bloc, 1952 12
6. Exports of Antibiotics by Non-Soviet Bloc Countries to the
World and to the Soviet Bloc, 1953 . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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THE ANTIBIOTICS INDUSTRY IN THE SOVIET BIAC*
Summary
Antibiotics are sometimes referred to as the "Wonder Drugs of
World War II," in recognition of their value in the treatment of
disease and irif`ection. With the aid of these drugs, the number of
fatalities caused by infectious wounds was greatly reduced, and
casualties were returned to the battle front in much less time than
in previous conflicts with. older methods of treatment. The possi-
bility of mass bombings and the threat of biological warfare make
a supply of these drugs a-necessity in any nation that might become
involved in war.
The USSR began to produce antibiotics-M* as early as 1945. It
was not until 1948, however, that the mass production of solid
penicillin, the first of this family of-antibiotics , was begun. It
is estimated that 1953 production of penicillin in the Soviet Bloc
was 113,100 billion units (BU**?,), as shown in the following
tabulation:
USSR
92,200 BU
European Satellites
19,700 BU
Communist China.
1,200 BU
Total 113,100 BU
3~ Tae estimates and conclusions contained in this report
represent the best judgment of the responsible analyst as of
1, July 1954.
** The antibiotics discussed in this report are penicillin,
streptomycin, dihydrostrystomycin, terramycin, chloramphenicol
(chloromycetin), aureomycin, and bacitracin.
One billion units (BU) -- one billion international units
of penicillin -- weighs approximately one and one-third pounds,
is valued at approximately $400.00, and is sufficient for 5,000
average doses of 200,000 units each.
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US production of penicillin, approximately 370,000 BU in 1953,
was more than 3 times that of the Soviet Bloc. Assuiing an average
annual dose of 200,000 units per individual, US production is suf-
ficient to provide more than 10 such doses, whereas the Bloc pro-
duction is insufficient for even 1 such annual dose per individual.
Production of penicillin in the Bloc, however, appears to have made
marked progress in the 5 -year period from 1949 to 1953 and within
the next 15 years is expected to meet all requirements for penicillin.
The Soviet Bloc appears to be producing some streptomycin and
chloramphenicol* on a plant scale, but there is no available data
on the productive capacity. Efforts to develop production methods
for terramycin and aureomycin have been reported, but no actual
production can be confirmed. It is believed that by 1955 the Bloc
should be producing substantial quantities of streptomycin and
chloramphenicol, and should be ready to produce terramycin and
aureomycin on a plant scale by the end of that year.
Despite US efforts to impose restrictions, there has been a
brisk trade in antibiotics from the West to the East. Because a
small quantity of antibiotics sells for a high price (penicillin
is X300.00 per pound, as compared with ammonium nitrate at $0.035
a pound or soda ash at 2 cents a pound), the drugs are very adaptable
to smuggling. Many instances of smuggling have been reported, and
the quantitites involved are believed to be large -- particularly
the quantities which go to the Chinese Communists. The known and
reported trade in antibiotics from non-Soviet Bloc countries to the
Soviet Bloc is shown in the -following tabulation in terms of US $,**:
Ciliiunphenicol produced synthetically is called chloromycetin.
Trade in antibiotics is reported in money value only rather
than in weight or other units; penicillin is measured by inter-
national units (see definition in Appendix D), and the other anti-
biotics in kilograms. Money value is the only common measure in
trade, where antibiotics are lumped together, in contradistinction
to production, where the commodities are treated individually.
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US
1952
1953
US
None
8,000
Western Europe
1,032,000*
306,0003E
Hong Kong
12,06L,000
1)4,271,000
Japan
None
596,000
Total
13,096,000
15,181,000
Unusual efforts to increase the supply of antibiotics in the
Soviet Bloc by means of imports might be an indicator of military
intentions -- allowances being made, of course, for naturally
occurring epidemics.
I. General.
A. Definition and Occurrence. 1/3 3,
An antibiotic. is a chemical substance produced or derived
from living organisms which, in small concentrations, is capable
of inhibiting the life processes of microorganisms.
Microbes are living organisms, occurring by the millions in
the soil. Some of them exist only because of their capability of
forming antibiotics, which protect them from disease-producing
microorganisms also found in the soil in the form of bacteria,
fungi, and viruses. The discovery that these antibiotic substances
would control certain disease-producing microorganisms in the living
body led to the development of numerous antibiotics. The better
3f These are minimum figures. Many countries lump antibiotics with
other drugs and commodities, and the antibiotics so included are not
reported as antibiotics.
34 Footnote references in arabic numerals are to sources listed
in Appendix G.
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known of these are penicillin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin,
terramycin, chloramphonicol (chloromycetin), aureomycin, and
bacitracin.
B. Raw Material T'Lequirements.
With the exception of chloramphenicol, which may be prepared
snythetically, antibiotics are produced by fermentation. The
principal raw materials are corn-steep liquor, casein, cottonseed
meal, or sunflower seed oil as a source of nitrogen; and lactose,
glucose, dextrin, starch, or maltose as a source of carbon. In-
organic ions, such as the salts of sodium, potassium, and calcium,
and sulfuric and phosphoric acids are required. Organic solvents,
antifoam agents, filter aids, and sterile air are some of the other
materials needed in the process. More than 150 metric tons of raw
materials are required to produce approximately 0.5 metric ton of
penicillin. There appears to be no shortage of these raw materials
in the Soviet Bloc.
II. Production and Quality.
A. Production.
There are numerous reports of antibiotic plants, princi-
pally for the production of penicillin, being installed throughout
the Soviet Bloc. Plants located in the USSR are listed in Appendix
A, and the Satellite plants are listed in Appendix B.
At the close of Jorld War II, the United Nations Relief
and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRt) 2/ furnished to Poland,
China, Czechoslovakia, and the Ukrainian and Belorussian Republics
of the USSR penicillin plants having a total capacity of 600
billion units per year. It was not until about 194.8 that any sub-
stantial quantity of solid (amorphous or crystalline) penicillin
was reported as being produced by the Soviet Bloc. It is believed
that prior to that time reports of production of penicillin referred
to the form produced by surface fermentation. This product was
impure and deteriorated rapidly and was not considered satisfactory.
It is believed that the Russians initially may have copied the UNRRA
plant designs and duplicated them in the instances where new in-
stallations for the production of penicillin have been reported.
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Reports from prisoners of war indicate that the-original capacity
of some of these plants has been greatly expanded, an indication
which is consistent with the following. statement quoted from a
leading Soviet medical periodical 3/:
"During the current Five Year Plan (1951-55),
the production of antibiotics is to be particularly
increased. In 1955, antibiotics will amount to 30
percent of all drugs'manufactured in the USSR. Pro-
duction,of penicillin and streptomycin in 1955 will
be high enough to insure not only the needs of the
population but will also permit a wide use of peni-
cillin for veterinary purposes ... ."
Total 1953 production of penicillin in the European
Satellites and Communist China is estimated at about 21,000 BU.
Hungary is the largest producer with a total of 8,000 BU, and
Czechoslovakia is second with a total of 7,000 BU.
Table 1 gives estimated production of penicillin in the
Soviet Bloc for 1953.
Estimated Production of Penicillin in the Soviet Bloc
1953
Billion Units (BU)
Country Plant Location or Name Amount
Kiev
Minsk
Moscow (Karpova)
Moscow (Plant No. 7)
Moscow (Plant No. 40)
Riga
Sverdlovsk
11, 700
7,600
23,300
6, 000
20,000
9,000
1 ,6oo
Total 92,200
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Estimated Production of Penicillin in the Soviet Bloc
1953
(Continued)
Billion Units,(BU)
Country
Plant Location or Name
Amount
Albania
Bulgaria
None
Razgrad (under construction)
Czechoslovakia
Roztoky
7,000
Hungary
Chino in
2,000
Debrecen
6, 200
Poland
Tarchomin
600
Rumania
Chitila
600
East Germany
Jena
Dresden (VEB
3,000
Arzneimittelwerk)
300
Total European Satellites
19,700
Shenyang (Mukden)
600
Shanghai
600
1, 200
113,100
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During 1953, the production of penicillin in the US
was 370000 billion units, about three times the quantity estimated
for the Soviet Bloc. Thus, the Soviet ;>loc, With almost 5 'times
the population of the US (750 million to 160 million), produces
less than one-third of the amount of penicillin produced in the US.
2. other Antibiotics.
Available information on the production of antibiotics
other than penicillin in the Soviet Bloc is scattered and incon-
clusive. It is known, however, that plants in the USSR, Czecho-
slovakia, Hungary; Poland, and East Germany are producing, or can
be expected to produce, these antibiotics. In the USSR, production
of syntomycin'* (an antibiotic used for bacillary dysenteria and
trachoma of the eye), as well as other antibiotics such as gramici-
din, albomycin and levomycetin, is growing rapidly. / Table 21P*
shows plants for the production of antibiotics other than penicillin
in the Soviet Bloc, 1909-54.
B. Quality.
Two samples of antibiotics produced in the USSR were ob-
tained recently (April 1950. One sample was penicillin and the
other was streptomycin. 5/ Reports on'laboratory. analyses of these
samples indicated that both were crystalline in nature, pale yellow
in color, and adequate to meet US standards. The penicillin sample
assayed by the microbial method gave a result of 1,610 units per
milligram, equivalent to 97 percent purity. The streptomycin sample
assayed 610 micrograms per milligram by the maltol assay and 620
micrograms per milligram by the turbidimetric microbial assay,
corresponding to 77 percent purity., Packages for both materials
appeared technically adequate, although they lacked the workmanship
and elegance to which the US market is accustomed.
III. Trade. 6/
A. General.
The value of antibiotics in the treatment of disease and
infection has been reflected by the enormous demand for these
F T He Russian term for chloromycetin (synthetic chloramphenicol).
.tom Table 2 follows on p. 8.
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Table 2
Plants for the Production of Antibiotics Other Than Penicillin
in the Soviet Bloc
1949-5u
Country
Plant Name
Location
Antibiotics
Y
a
e
r Production
USSR
Karpov
`Moscow
Streptomycin
1949 N.!..
Syntomycin
1952 a/ N.h.
Czechoslovakia
Roztoky
Streptomycin
1949.50 N.A.
Chloromycetin
1953 N.A.
Hungary
Chinoin
Ujpest near
Budapest
Streptomycin
1954 a/ NT.A..
Kracow
Streptomycin
C:iloramphenicol
Aureomycin
(Under Development)
(Under Development)
(Under Development)
East Germany
Jena
Streptomycin
1952 730 BU b/
Chloromycetin
1952 500 Kg b/
a. I itia an goa .
b. 1952 production plan.
products by the Chinese Communists immediately preceding and during
the recent war in Korea. Efforts by the US after 1950 to restrict
trade in antibiotics with the Communists under COCOM agreements were
delayed. by debate over methods of control. Some delegates represent-
ing COCON member countries objected, for purely humanitarian reasons,
to curtailment of trade with the Sovi-et Bloc. In the mean time, a
brisk trade ensued, with Hong Kong as the principal port of trans-
shipments to Communist China. Other important gateways were Macao,
Singapore, and Bangkok. Antibiotics are suited ideally for smuggling
because of their relatively high value for a small quantity. It is
believed that large quantities were made available to the Communists
in this manner. Siipments by parcel post from individuals in Western
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countries to friends and relatives behind the Iron Curtain account
for an unkno- m quantity of these drugs reaching the Communists.
The volume of trade in antibiotics is obscured further when ship-
ments to Communist countries are reported 1Ty general categories,
such as drugs, medicinals, pharmaceuticals, and diverse chemicals.
B. US Exports to the East.
US exports of antibiotics to the Soviet Bloc dwindled from
a substantial ;;;'12,333,000 in' 1950 to a mere `4,000 in 1952. There
were no US exports directly to China in 1951, 1952, and 1953. US
exports of antibiotics to Communist China, Hong Kong, and Macao for
1950 through 1953 are given in Table 3.*
C. Western European Exports to the least.
Reported exports of antibiotics by Western European countries
to Hong Kong and destinations of transshipment by Hong'Kong during
1952 and 1953 are given in Table 14.1,-,-
Trade in antibiotics to the Soviet Bloc was substantial
during 1952-53, with Communist China receiving the major portion.
In spite of efforts by the European Satellites to produce antibiotics,
most of these countries. continue to import the drugs from the West.
In 1953, reported shipments of antibiotics to the Satellites were
slightly more than that reported for 1952. There is some evidence
that the. European Satellites shipped most of their own production
of antibiotics to the USSR, which may indicate that imports from
the `:,lest were necessary to provide for internal requirements. (See
Appendix B.)
There is some evidence of a slackening of the flow of trade
throu_;h Bong Kong; shipments to .long ;',.ong for the first 6 months of
1953 nearly equaled the -shipments for the entiro year of 1953, thus
indicating a substantial . decrease in the volume of shipments for
the last half. It is quite likely that thc. cessation of hostilities
in Korea resulted in a sharp decline in the demand for antibiotics
by the Chinese Communists. Reports advising of C.om mist China's
large-scale rejection of ;Iong Kong pharmaceuticals, including anti-
biotics, because the quality was allegedly substandard, rna~ry have
reflected Soviet intentions to negotiate cease-fire in Korea.
?, Ca e io lows on p. 10.
-, Table It follows on p. 11.
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Table 3
US Exports of Antibiotics to Communist China,
Hong Kong, and i acao a/
1950-53
Thousand US ~J;
1950 1951 1952 1953
Penicillin
423
0
0
0
Streptomycin
159
.ntibio tic s
(yot Elsewhere Classified)
115
0
0
0
Total
697
Hong Kong
Penincillin
'7,258
8
1
1
Streptomycin
3,736
3
2
2
Antibiotics
(Not Elsewhere-: Classified)
6814
8
0
5
11,678
19
3
8
Penicillin
7
2
0
0
Streptoircin
2
7
0
0
L ntibiotics
(I of lsetirherc Classified)
L.
5
1
0
13
114
1
0
12,338
33
14
8
a. All 1 ures compiled by tie US Department -of Commerce.
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Table 14.
Hong Kong Imports and 'xports of Antibiotics
1952-53
Thousand US a/
Exporting Country
1952
1953
France
3,676
3,257
UK
1066
3,170
Netherlands
1,313
1,986
Italy
1,182
1, 683
Denmark
912
679
Germany
772
1,915
9,221
12, 990
Importing Country
Communist China
12,064
1h, 271
Macao
357
1,156
Taiwan
141
159
South Korea
35
78
Thailand
33
177
Indonesia
13
52
12,653
15,893
a. Converted from Hong Kong.dollars to US dollars a
the rate of 0.1750.HK dollar to 1.0 US dollar, as
published by the US Department of Commerce for June
1953.
Exports of antibiotics by non-Soviet Bloc countries to the
entire world is compared to their trade with Soviet Bloc countries
for 1952 in Table 5,* and for 1953 in Table 6.-:
Ta e =o on p. 12.
3 as Table 6 follows on p. 13.
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Exports of Antibiotics by Non-Soviet Bloc Countries to the World and to the Soviet Bloc I/
1952
Soviet Bloc Importing Countries-Y/
Total Exports
Total Exports
East
Communist
Exporting, Country
to World
to Bloc
Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia Germany
Hungary ?oland
unania
USSR
China.
Austria.
-
(299)
(16)
(9)
(7)
Belgium-Luxembourg
983
63
15
48
Canada
24
1
1
Denmark
446
267
32
60
87
France
3,216
503
242
18
232
11
West Germany
330
19
(177)
19
Hong Kong
12,701
12,064
12,064
Italy
(13,446)
(13)
(6)
(7)
Netherlands
(8,096)
(1,055)
(9)
(342)
(176)
(77)
(13)
(129)
(295)
Norway
(25)
(25)
Sweden
(2,341)
(48) c/
Switzerland
(21,746)
(453)
(14)
(105)
(37)
(110)
(38),
(1)
(149)
UK
(88,625)
(241)
(241)
Total
17.254
13,096
a. Figures shown in parentheses indicate ex-)orting country makes no distinction between exhorts of antibiotics and exhorts of
:miscellaneous drugs, pharmaceuticals, and medicinal chemicals.
b. No data reported for Albania and North Korea.
c. No breakdown by countries is available.
d. Total includes only exhorts of antibiotics identified as such.
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Table 6
Exports of Antibiotics by Non-Soviet Bloc Countries to the i'iorld and to the Soviet Bloc
1953
Total Exports Total Exports
Exporting Country to World to Bloc
Austria (248) (3)
Belgium-Luxembourg 29
Canada (3,330) (248)
Denmark 5,223 176
France (57,366) (750) c/
West Germany 409 98
Hong Kong 16,219 14,271
Ireland (252) (31)
Israel (589) (7)
Malaya (7,368) (295)
Norway (30) (5)
Netherlands (4,939) (392)
Sweden (2,743) (17) e/
Switzerland (24,651) (132)
Taiwan (Formosa) (5,923) (16)
UK (penicillin only) 12,473 3
UK (other drugs) (73,519) (543)
Total
Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia
East
Germany
Hungary
Poland
Rumania
USSR
Communist
China
(3)
1
28
(120)
(41)
(87)
77
29
70
(213)
(360)
(516)
98
14,271 d/
(31)
(7)
596
(295)
(1)
(4)
(10)
(72)
(58)
(23)
(206)
(13)
(6)
(19)
(62)
(14)
(22)
(15)
(1)
(43)
(16)
3
(543)
a. Figures shown in parentheses indicate exporting country makes no distinction between exports of antibiotics and exports of
miscellaneous drugs, pharmaceuticals, and medicinal chemicals.
b. No data reported for Albania and North Korea.
c. A complete breakdown by countries was not reported.
d. Amount reported for the first 6 months of 1953+as 11,491.
e. No breakdown by countries is available.
f. Total includes only exports of antibiotics identified as such.
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IV. Requirements.
It is impossible, of course, to estimate the requirements for
antibiotics in the Soviet Bloc. Some conclusions can be drawn,
however, about the relationship of supply and requirements in the
Soviet Bloc from a comparison of the availability of penicillin
in the US and in the Soviet Bloc.
It is assumed that the annual requirement for penicillin in each
country is one average dose (200,000 units) per individual. The
US, with a population of 160 million and a total annual penicillin
production of 370,000 BU, can meet the requirement and have a penicil-
lin surplus of 338,000 BU. The Soviet Bloc, with a population of
750 million and a total annual penicillin production of 113,000 BU,
falls 37,000 BU short of meeting its requirement of 150,000 BU.
A similar supply requirement situation probably exists as far
as antibiotics other than penicillin are concerned.
V. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions.
A. Capabilities.
It appears that most of the difficulties involved in the
quantity production of antibiotics have been overcome by the Soviet
Bloc and that the quality of the antibiotics produced is high. Al-
though Soviet Bloc production of antibiotics in 1953-511 is far short
of requirements, it is probable that by 1958 the Soviet Bloc will
be producing enough entibiotics to satisfy its normal peacetime
requirements.
B. Vulnerabilities.
The antibiotics supply of the Soviet Bloc is currently
(19511) vulnerable only to the extent that trade restrictions are
successful and smuggling can be curtailed. This vulnerability,
however, is only a temporary one; supplies of raw material are
adequate, equipment presents no long-range problem, and production
facilities are not concentrated geographically.
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Abnormal efforts to obtain antibiotics by trade and smuggling
and unusual activity in the production of antibiotics might well be
indicators of Soviet military intentions. iiaking allowances for
naturally occurring epidemics, such efforts to increase supply would
be significant.
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APPENDIX A
PCiSSIBLE AND IMV LYTIBIOTICS PLANTS IN THE USSR
1. Bezlan. 7/
In 1947 the Nikoyan Corn Products Combine at Bezlan was reported
producing starch from corn, crystalline glucose for medical use,
and the raw material for the production of penicillin. No addi-
tional reports have been received to indicate that penicillin is
actually produced here. Apparently this plant furnishes some raw
materials for processing for manufacture of penicillin elsewhere.
2. Irkutsk. B/
Production-of penicillin was reported in 1952 at the Biological
Warfare Experimental Station at Irkutsk. No data are available
upon which to estimate production.
3. Kharkov. 9/
In 1947 this plant was being supplied with equipment from
Canada. No antibiotics production has been reported, and there are
no available data upon which to estimate production.
4. Kiev. 10/
Construction of the Sverdlov Penicillin Plant at Kiev was started
in 1947 and completed in February 19L9. Production of penicillin
began some time later. According to reports the production depart-
ment was equipped with 6 fermentors, each 3 meters in diameter by
6 meters high. Production is estimated to be from 3,500 to 11,677
BU per year.
5. Kislovdsk. 11/
Early in 1919 penicillin was produced by a.plant in Kislovdsk
for supplying hospitals in the Caucasus. No details of the plant
equipment are available upon which to base an estimate of production.
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6. Leninakan. 12/
In 1948 a penicillin plant at Leninakan was completed and pro-
duction was started, but no details of the plant equipment are
available upon which to base an estimate of production.
7. Leningrad. 13/
In 1947 the Kirov Meat Combine in Leningrad produced the first
lot of penicillin in'dry form, but no plant data are available upon
which to base current production.
8. Leningrad. 14/
In 1948, production of-penicillin was at a monthly rate of 3.5
billion units in a former sausage factory known as the Lennrasprom
Meat Combine. The quantity reported is negligible.
9. Minsk. 15/
This plant is located in Minsk about 600 meters northeast of
the freight station. The production of penicillin was started late
in 1949. Some US and British equipment were reported. The produc-
tion department contained 6 fermentors of stainless steel, each 3
meters in diameter by 4 meters high. Production is estimated to
be from. 2, 300 to 7,600 BU per year.
10. Moscow. 16/
a. The Karpova Pharmaceutical Plant is located in the suburbs
of Moscow, Nizhniya Kotely, and adjacent to the ZIS automobile plant,
which is near the oscow River and southeast of the center of town.
The production of penicillin began in September 1949. The
plant operates ciiree our shifts daily. The production department
is equipped with 12 fermentors, each 3 meters in diameter and 6
meters high. It is estimated that annual production of penicillin
is-from 7,000 to 23,300 BU per year, depending upon the fermentation
cycle and the number of units of penicillin produced per milliliter.
b. Penicillin Plant No. 7, located southwest of the Karpova
Pharmaceutical Plant, is believed to be an annex to the older Kar-
pova factory.
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Limited production of penicillin.began in November 1948
when.approximately 10 grams were produced daily. This plant~is'
reported to be in excellent condition and was completely built in
the: period from October 1947 to April, 191}9. The plant employs -
moptly women and operates in three 8-hour Shifts daily. The pro-
duction department is equipped with 6 fermentors, each 2 meters in
diameter by 7 meters high. I?lost of the machines are.modern and are
of US or German origin. The production of penicillin is estimated
to be from 1,800. to?6,O0.O.BU per year:
c. Penicillin Factory No. 40 is.located in.the northwest'sec -
tion of Moscow, on the site of the Butyrski Aniline Dye Factory.
The production department contains 12 large steel vats fitted with
beaters driven by a vertical shaft. These vats were'3 meters in
diameter by 5 maters high. It is estimated. that. the production of
penicillin is 6,000 to 20,000 13U per year.
11. Orsk. 17/
It is reported that a meat-processing plant in Orsk also produces
medical preparations and penicillin. Information is indefinite,
and it is not known whether this plant produces penicillin or fur
nishes raw materials for processing elsewhere.
12. Pobeda, Kemerova Oblast. 1.8/
It is reported that a penicillin plant is to be constructed
at Pobeda, about 300 km south of Stalinsk. Ho- further details are
available.
130 Riga, Latvia. 19/
This plant is located 1.5 km east-southeast of. the )uen.a rail-
road bridge, directly north of the Duena tributary.. Plans for the
penicillin plant were based upon plans used for a Moscow penicillin
plant.
Based upon information from October 1947 to February 1949,.
solid penicillin was shipped in vials of both 100,000 and 200,000
units, packed in cartons of 1 i{iillion units each that had blue and
yellow stripes and labels bearing 11P.-Z.11 in Russian. From the
packing department, one source learned that 8 milliard (billion)
units were manufactured daily. On the basis of 360 working days
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per year this would amount to 2,880 BU. According to another in-
formant, the production department is equipped with 8 fermentors,
each 2.5 meters in diameter by 5-meters high. Based upon this in-
formation,.it is estimated that the annual production of penicillin
is from 2,700 to 9,000 BU.
14. Saratov. 20/
During 1946 and 1947, a plant in.Saratov was reported producing
penicillin by the broth method. This process was uneconomical. No
further information on this plant is available.
15. Sverdlovsk. 21/
The penicillin factory at Sverdlovsk has 2 fermentors, each 5
meters in diameter by 6 meters high, and 6 fermentors, each 2 meters
in diameter by 4 meters high. It is estimated that from 3,300 to
11,000 BU could be produced annually in the 2 large. fermentors and
1,100 to 3,600 BU annually in the 6 smaller ones. Thus, total
annual production would be from 4,400 to 14,600 BU.
16. Tallin, Estonia. 22/
This plant produces penicillin, based upon information dated
1946. No further details are available upon which to base an
estimate of production.
17. Tashkent. 23/
A penicillin plant under construction in Tashkent will use
byproducts of a distillery for the raw materials. No further in-
formation has been received to indicate that this plant has begun
production of penicillin.
18. Tbilisi. 2)4/
Based upon 1946 information, a penicillin plant in Tbilisi is
reported to have a capacity of 1.5 billion Oxford units, Assuming
annual production (the period was not stated in the report), the
amount would be negligible. No additional information is available,
indicating-an increase in production capacity.
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APPENDIC B
POSSIEL:`,, A] D; ;;dCO JT 1 I TIBI TICS PLP T`3
1. Albania. 25/
Medicinals in Albania are reported to be in short supply. No
facilities for the production of antibiotics in Albania have been
reported. Most of the.required medicinals are imported from Czecho-
slovakia and Hungary.''The Albanian government is believed to,
supplement these supplies by confiscating drugs sent to Albanian
nationals from abroad, especially from compatriots residing in
Italy.
2. Bulgaria. 26/
Razgrad (L3?321 N - 260311 E).
In 1952, to avoid importing and paying a high price for
their requirements, the Bulgarian government decided to build a
plant at Razgrad for the manufacture of penicillin. The machines
and installations for the plant were imported from the USSR. Soviet
experts helped in the construction of the plant and key workers for
the complicated production of penicillin were trained in the US M..
The plant was scheduled to begin production of penicillin by 5 Sep-
tembor 1954 and is expected to fill all of the country's require-
ments.
3. Czechoslovakia. 27/
a. Rostoky, near Prague.
In 1246,, UNRRA furnished Czechoslovakia with machinery and
equipment for the production of penicillin and enough,raw materials,
consisting of 7_?close, phosphoric acid, phenylacetic acid, amyl-
acetate, and corn-steep liquor, to last for 1 year. The equipment
was held in storage in Czechoslovakia,? near the city of Hostiwar,
for approximately 2 years and then removed to Hostoky where produc-
tion is reported to have begun in the latter part of 19L.9. The
plant, as originally furnished by UMIZA, had 2 fermenting vats and
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was planned to produce 40 BU per month of amorphous penicillin,
having a purity of 650 to 800 units per milligram. Two additional
fermentors, having a capacity of 40,000 liters each, were supplied
locally increasing the capacity of the plant to 80 billion units
of amorphous penicillin. per month. This type of penicillin requires
storage in a refrigerator. Efforts were made to procure US-type
centrifugal extractors through the United Nations Health Organiza-
tion-at Geneva, to further step up production and result in a cry-
stalline material with a higher purity, 1,600 units per milligram.
The crystalline product requires a minimum of refrigeration for
storage, but not to exceed a maximum temperature of 200-C. It'is
believed, delivery of this equipment was. stopped by the US Govern-
ment because it could be used in the mass production of biological
warfare (W) agents. Attempts were then made by Czechoslovakia to
obtain these separators from Sweden. Although the final outcome of
these negotiations is unknown, it is not believed the equipment
was obtained in 1949.
Press reports indicate that 300 BU should have been pro-I
duced in the last quarter of 1949 and that production capacity would
be increased 89 percent in the first half of 1950, and 125 percent
in the last half: of that year. Based upon an initial installed
capacity of 80 BU per month, a 125-percent increase would equal a
productive capacity-of 180 BU a month, or 2,160 BU per year by the
end of 1950. It was further reported that, penicillin production in
1951 was 6 times that of 1949. .This would equal a production of
1.,800 BU in 1951 which appears reasonable in view of the estimated
annual capacity of 2,160 BU. In 1952, production of penicillin
was reported to have increased by 44 percent which indicates a pro-
duction of 2,592 BU in that year. It was also reported in an East
German periodical, dated September 1952, that Czechoslovakia had
succeeded in producing penicillin in crystalline form, as well as
procaine penicillin which can be stored for a long time without
deterioration in quality.
According to a release from Prague, dated 7 January 1953,
the workers of the Rostoky Penicillin Factory informed the Health
Workers Conference in Prague that their output plan for 1953 pro-
vides for a 170-percent increase of production, which would make
Czechoslovakia independent of penicillin imports from the Jest.
This.would be approximately 7,000 BU for 1953, based upon the esti-
mated 1952 production of 2,592 BU.
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:.Other antibiotics -a- streptomycin, and chloronlyeetin (syn-
thetic chloramphenicol) --..are also reported in production at the,
lostoky plant. A major portion of_the antibiotics produced in
Czechoslovakia are shipped to,the USSR.
b.: Hlohovec and Ch.rast.Penicillin Plants.
Penicillin has. also been.-reported inproduction at Hlohovec
and;at Chrast, near.Chrudian, formerly. the:. Dr. Heisler factory and
now owned by Chemapol. The quantity of.penicillin produced at
these plants is unknown, and no information is currently available
concerning size and type of equipment at these installations.
4. Hungary. 28/
a. Chino in, Ujpest near Budapest:
Dr. Zoltan Fgldi first produced penicillin in the Chinoin
laboratories, using 3,000-liter tanks early in 1948. The quantity
produced was small, and most of it was sent to the USSR. Hungary
was forced to import its requirements. It is reported that Hungarian
imports of penicillin amounted to 1,500 BU in 1951. Dr. F81di was
also experimenting in the production of other antibiotics.-- strep-
tomycin, chloromycetin, aureonycin, terramycin, and bacitricin.. It
was reported.early in.1954 that streptomycin was being produced at
Chinoin and that sufficient production of this antibiotic had been
included in the 1954 plan, presumably to meet the country's require-
ments and avoid the necessity of further imports. Based.upon re-
ported fermentation capacity of L 5,000 liters, it is estimated that
annual production of penicillin is'624 to 2,000 BU.
b. Debrecen.
In the spring of 1951,, the construction of a new penicillin
factory was started at Debrecen. The-plans were based upon Czecho-
slovak and Polish plants. Dr. Zoltan F?ldi was placed in charge of
the new laboratories, Hajdusagi Gyogyzergyar,.at the Debrecen plant.
The plant 'also called the Ducios Chemical Plant, was equipped with
machinery partly imported from. the US and the USSR. A large part
of the equipment was also furnished by L. Lang and Company of Buda-
pest, who received_._considerable advice and assistance from the Czecho-r
slovak machine factory.CKD (Ceskomoravska Kolben Denek)..
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The factory was completed by 20 August 1952. Production
was stepped up in the summer of 1952 with the arrival of new machines
from East Germany. The quality of the penicillin produced at this
factory is believed to be improving. The quantity produced is
supposed to be sufficient to take care of Hungarian needs. It is
reported, however, that the entire production of this plant is shipped
to the USSR, packed 12 vials to a box and 10 boxes to a larger box,
with all labels and instructions printed in Russian. Based upon
reported fermentation capacity, which is 3 times that of the Chinoin
plant, or 135,000 liters, the annual production of penicillin is
estimated to be 1,872 to 6,200 BU.
5. Poland.
Tarchomin Chemical Pharmaceutical Factory Ludwig Spies. 29/
A complete penicillin plant capable of producing 50 BU of
amorphous, or crystalline, penicillin per month supplied to Poland
by UNRRA was installed at Tarchomin, a suburb of Warsaw. Essential
parts of the plant were missing, and it took several years to obtain
them from Czechoslovakia.
In. 1948, . part of the culture needed for full-scale produc-
tion was obtained from Czechoslovakia. Polish maize extract
proved unsuitable for the production of penicillin. Rumanian,
Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Russian maize proved unsatisfactory.
Maize extract from'-Yugoslavia was eminently suitable, but, because
Yugoslavia withdrew from the Cominform, trade between Poland and
Yugoslavia was blocked at this time. Therefore, it was reported
that the factory was at a standstill and that no penicillin was
produced during 1948.
The production of penicillin was first started in Tarchomin
on 22 July 1949 with the aid of machines and advice from the USSR
and Czechoslovakia. Poland is now producing great quantities of
penicillin. By the third quarter of 1952, penicillin production
was expected to be of such a volume that imports would no longer
be necessary. Under the Six Year Plan, if the 1950 penicillin pro-
duction is taken at 100, Poland was to produce 200 percent more in
1951, 800 percent more in 1952, and plans called for 'a 2,500-per-
cent increase in 1955. A production of 105 13U bf penicillin was
planned by the Tarchomin plant for 1951. The production of crystal-
line penicillin was to be initiated in the first quarter of 1952.
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According to the statement by source, penicillin production
in Poland will increase to 300 BU in 1955.
Calculations based upon information contained in the same
source above indicate that production of penicillin in Poland is as
follows:
Percent
Year '(Six Year Plan) Billion Units
1950 100 35
1951 300 105
1952 900 315
1955 2,600 910
It is stated in the source that the plant shipped to Po-
land by UNRRA is capable of producing 50 BU per month, equivalent
to 500 BU per year. This indicates that an additional 300 BU of
capacity are planned by 1955. Based upon information above it is
estimated that current (1953) production of penicillin in Poland is
600 BU per year.
There have been reports (1952) that Poland is developing
a wider assortment of antibiotics, including chloramphenicol of a
"purity and potency equaling that of foreign production" at Krakow.
6. Rumania.
Chitila, suburb of Bucharest. 30/
Rumania's first plant for the production of penicillin is
being erected. All.of the equipment is being supplied by the USSR,
and the plant will be operated at. the outset by Soviet specialists.
The planned capacity of the plant has not been reported, but, be-
cause the plant is presumed to be a copy of the UNRRA plant, the
capacity is estimated at 600 BU a year. It is stated by source
that the Ministry of Health (Rumania) inquired in 1919 relative: to
the procurement of a penicillin plant capable of supplying a thermo-
stable product at the rate of 50 billion units per month. It is,
estimated that current production (1953) of penicillin in Rumania
is 600 BU per year.
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7. East Germany..
a. VEB Jenapharm. 311
The' VEB Jenapharm, one of the largest pharmaceutical enter-
prises in East Germany, originated from the Institute of Microbiology.
The plant was jointly operated by the Schott Jena Glass Works and the
Carl Zeiss Optical Works until 1 January ? 1950, when it became an
independent VEB (Volkseigener Betrieb -- People Owned Enterprise).
The plant produces penicillin in every form, and streptomycin is
scheduled for production in the near future.,
The following production figures for June 1951 illustrate
the types of penicillin produced at VEB Jenapharm:
Penicillin Type Produced
Amount (BU)
Jenapharm.ointment tubes of 7-8 g (7,000 IU*)
0.242
Jenapharm ointment bottles 30 g (30,000 IU)
0.108
Jenapharm vulnerary powder tubes of S.g
(5, 000 IU )
0.232
Jenapharm vulnerary powder bottles of 50 g
(50,000 IU)
0.230
Jenapharm calcium salts ampoules of 500 IU
0.013
ampoules of 1, 000 lU
0.005
bottles of 5,000 IU
0. o44
Jenapharm calcium salts for injections
75.872
bottles of 200,000 IU
21.607
Jenaoain penicillin (storage or depot. penicillin)
2,250 bottles
-6.750
2,139 bottles
4.278
Total
109.384
follows :
# IU is the standard aubreviation for International Units.
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Destination. of Calcium Salt Penicillin
Amount (BU)
Berlin (Soviet Sector)
5.000
Brandenburg Province
8.900
Mecklenburg Province
6.500
Saxony-Anhalt Province
10.900
De:Liveries of calcium salt penicillin in June 1951 were as
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Destination of Calcium Salt Penicillin
Amount (BU)
Saxony Province
10.200
Thuringia Province
10.500
Wismut AG Chemnitz
1.100
Volks Polizei (Peoples Police),
Leipzig-Wied
0.200
Volks Polizei, Berlin-Nieder-Scnoeneweide
0.200
DANA for China
40.000
Soviet FPN 61 963 (balance of order 27/28 on
13 Jan 51)
7.500
Total
.101.000
The 1952 production plans for various antibiotics at Jenapharm are
as follows :
Item
Amount (BU)
Penicillin
1,500
Streptomycin (large-scale production
to commence in April 1952)
250
Chloromycetin
60
In the first half of 1952, penicillin production at Jena-
pharm was 265 BU of depot penicillin. During the first half of
1952, Jenapharm shipped 290 BU to Communist China and No rth.,Korea.
Streptomycin production at Jenapharmwas planned to begin in
Septanber 1952, and the monthly production rate was to be 65 BU.
During the first half of 1952, Jenapharm produced 162 kilograms of
synthetic chloromycetin. In 1952, the monthly production plans for
chloromycetin were 42 kilograms. Three hundred BU of penicillin
were shipped to North Korea on 24 September 1952. A streptomycin
plant was finished it October 1,052 and produced small quantities
during December. Minor flaws d.cveloped, however, and the plant was
shut down, not expecting to resume operations until early 1953.
Small quantities of aureomycin were also produced in December 1952.
The 1953 production of penicillin by Jenapharma is estimated as
3,000 BU. The estimate is based upon the annual production of
2,900 BU and a reported output of 1,600 BU during the first half
of 1953.
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b. Biopharm Plant (Langenhennersdorf). 32/
Early in 1919, mass production of 100 million units of
penicillin per month was started at Biopharm Plant in Langenhenners
dorf. It was planned to reach a production of 1 BU of penicillin
per month early in 1950. However, no further reports of the pro-
duction of penicillin at this plant have been noted.
c. VEB Madaus Pha:rma Plant. 33/
About 28 BTi of penicillin were produced in 1949. The 1950
original penicillin production plan was 50 BU but the final produc-
tion plan was approximately 90 BU. No further information con-
cerning production of penicillin at this plant has been received.
d. VEB Schering Plant. 34/
This plant produced 1.3 BU of penicillin during the first
4.months.in 1950. Production was suspended for 4 months and was
resumed in September 1950. Final production figures for 1950 are
not available. In 1953 it was reported that the production of
penicillin-had been discontinued at the Schering Plant.
e. VIM Arzneimittelwerk (Dresden). 35/
Production. of penicillin was reported to be 130 BU during the
first half of 1953. In 1954 it was planned to produce 150 BU of
calcium salt penicillin and 150 BU of depot penicillin.
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APPENDIX C
KNOWN ANTIBIOTICS PLANTS IN COMMUNIST CHINA AND'NORTEi KOREA
1. Communist China. 36/
a. Peiping.
Prior to 1948, small quantities of penicillin were reported
produced at the Temple of Heaven Health Research Institute. Pre-
sumably these laboratories were under control of the National
Epidemic Prevention. Bureau and were removed to Kunming from Peiping
in 1937 to avoid capture by the Japanese. Under the direction of
Dr. T. H. Shen, these laboratories produced vaccine,, serum, and
penicillin. The quantity of penicillin reported to be produced in
19L.6 was small, amounting to only 3.9 million units. In 1951,
Dr. then, who was living in Berlin as a delegate of the Acadeniica
Sinica Peiping, revealed that China was planning to build a peni-
cillin plant, similar to the Jenapharm plant in East Germany,
capable of producing 4 BU per year.
b. Chungking. 37/
According to information dated January 1952, penicillin
produced at a Cliung'king plant under the direction of Dr. Wang
(trained at Pasteur Institute) was satisfactory in quality. No
additional information on.the plant is available.
c. Shenyang (Mukden). 38/
The state-owned ?ortheast China.Chemical-Pharmaceutical
Factory is-located at Shenyang. Penicillin is produced with equip-
ment supplied by the World Health organization (1,160) and UNRRA in
1946 and 1947. The UNRR! plant had a production capacity of 40 to
50 BU of penicillin per month. It is'estimated.that approximately
600 BU of penicillin were produced in 1953.
With Soviet assistance, the production of chloromycetin was
initiated in 1953 at the Northeast Factory.
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d. Shanghai. 39/
In 1951, production of penicillin on a large scale was begun
in the state-owned factory at Shanghai. According to information
dated L August 1953, the capacity of the Shanghai penicillin fac-
tory was to be increased by eight times. Dr. Tung Tsun, who is
Assistant Director of the factory, was formerly associated with
developmental work in connection with the production of penicillin
at Peiping. Estimated production for 1953 is 600 BU per year.
No production of antibiotics has-been reported.
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APPENDIX D
METHODS OF PRODUCTION
Most antibiotics are produced commercially by a submerged-
agitated-aerated fermentation process in which a carbon source, a
nitrogen source, essential. mineral elements, and certain growth-
promoting substances are utilized by the antibiotic-producing
microorganism in producing a specific antibiotic substance.
Chloramphenicol has also been produced 'synthetically and is known
under the trade name of "chloromycetin."
Nitrogen sources used in the production of penicillin have been
corn-steep liquor, casein, cottonseed meal, sunflower seed oil,
peanut meal, distiller's wastes, and nitrate or ammonium salts;
carbon sources have consisted of lactose, starch, dextrin, glucose,
maltose, and molasses. Inorganic ions used are zinc, copper, man-
ganese, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphate, sulfate, and nitrate.
In addition, a precursor is used, a catalyst for increasing the
yield of the desired type of penicillin; such precursors are phenyl-
acetic acid, phenylacetarnide, or B-phenylethylamine. The incubation
temperature for penicillin is 25? C to 28? C. An incubation time
of 7 days, with yields of only 200 units per milliliter, was re-
quired for old surface-fermentation methods, whereas only 2 to 3
days, with yields up to 3,000 units per milliliter, are required for
newer submerged methods. Fermentation processes for the other anti-
biotics are similar but with some variation iia raw materials and con-
ditions of incubation. 40/
In general, the fermentation process for the production of anti-
biotics involves preparation of a culture of the producing organism;
inoculating the mashing ingredients (corn-steep liquor, and lactose
in the case of penicillin) with the culture; aeration with sterile
air to accelerate the growth rate of the organism on the utilization
of the raw materials; transfer to seed tank containing additional
mashing ingredients and in which sterile aeration is continued;
placing the material from the seed tank in the fermentor (tanks
ranging up to 30,000 gallon capacity) where aeration continues and
additional mash is added and the fermentation process is continued
under carefully controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, and
acidity. The antibiotic may be separated from the mashing ingredients
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when fermentation has been completed by (1) adsorbtion on activated
carbon, elution with water and an organic solvent such as acetone,
amyl acetate, or chloroform; (2) by the solvent process whereby
the acidified culture liquor is extracted using a solvent in a cen-
trifugal-type extractor; (3) ion-exchange resin process. The pro-
duction of antibiotics must be conducted under carefully controlled
conditions to avoid contamination of the ingredients and loss of
the entire batch. Stainless steel equipment., or equivalent non-
corrosive type surface in contact with the broth, is required in
the production of antibiotics.
Forms', Units, Dosages, Package. 41/
Commercially, antibiotics are in the liquid form or as
crystalline or amorp'Lious powders. Penicillin preparations are pri-
marily the salts of sodium, potassium, calcium,. and magnesium.
Type G, the sodium salt, is often used with procaine in oil. The
purest form of penicillin is the white crystalline powder. With
the exception of penicillin, the antibiotics are measured in terms
of kilograms. The potency of penicillin: is measured in terms of
the Oxford (Florey) unit or international unit. The Oxford unit
is the amount of penicillin which, when dissolved in 50 milliliters
of meat extract broth, inhibits completely the growth of a standard
test strain of straphylococcus aures. The international unit of
penicillin is 0.6 microgram of the International Penicillin Standard,
which is a specimen of pure crystalline sodium penicillin G. The
international unit is approximately equivalent to the Oxford unit.
Antibiotics, may be administered orally, by injection, or
topically depending upon the type of disease being treated. Dosages
are usually in terms of milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
However, in the case of penicillin, dosages are in terms of units;
200,000 to 300,000 units daily are common. Penicillin is usually
packed in rubber-capped vials with an aluminum seal in sizes to.
contain 100,000, 200,000, 300,-000, 500,000, and 1,000,000 units
each. Salves and ointment may be packed in tubes and jars, and the
oil and wax in vials, while the crystalline variety is usually
packed in air-tight bottles. One billion units of bulk penicillin
weighs approximately one and one-third pounds, is valued at approxi-
mately $400-00, . and is sufficient for 5,000 individual average doses
of 200,000 units each.
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APPENDIX E
METHODOLOGY
It is believed that the UNRRA plants having a capacity of 600
billion units of penicillin per year were the models for many of the
Soviet Bloc penicillin plants. It appears certain that the capacities
of many of these plants have been increased since the late 1910's
when production was first reported. This is confirmed by statements
by prisoners .of war, whose descriptions of the equipment at some of
these plants indicate additional equipment has been installed.
A .companion report describes a method for estimating the produc-
tion of penicillin based upon a knowledge of the number and size of
the fermentors, strain of'organism used-, culture medium employed, and
the efficiency of the recovery method.
Assuming a yield of 300 international units per milliliter of
available fermentor capacity and one recovery a week (52 times per
year) with 50 percent recovery, the production of a plant reported
having 6 fermentors, each 3 meters in diameter by 6 meters in
height, may. be estimated as follows:
(22 x 3.1)46 x 6 x.6 x 1,000,000 (converting cubic
meters to milliliters) equals 251,!.00,000 milliliters.
Because of foaming, it is believed that only two-thirds of the total
capacity, 169.2 million milliliters, would be available for fermen-
tation.
The available capacity of the f ermentors, 169.2 million milli-
liters, times the yield of penicillin in international units per
milliliter (or 300) equals 135.36 billion units (BU) per recovery.
Based upon one recovery a week or 52 recoveries a year and 50 per-
cent recovery, the estimated annual production is 135.36 BU times
52 times 0.50 equals 3,519 BU.
It is believed that in time,, as plant operators become more
familiar and proficient in handling the equipment, an increase in
penicillin production would result without further expanding
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facilities and raising capacity. The production increase would occur
when three-fourths, instead of only two-thirds, of the fermentation
capacity was usable and fermentation yields up to 1,200 units per
milliliter, rather than only 800, were obtained. Furthermore, the
recovery or turnover in fermentors could increase to twice a week or
104 times a year,.'-instead of only once a week.. On this basis, a plant
having 6 f ermentors, each measuring 3 meters in diameter by 6 meters
high, and a total capacity, as before, of 254.4 million. milliliters
would produce annually:
254,400,000 x 3/i4 x 1,200 x 0.5 x 104 equals 11,906 BU
This.output is 3.38 times the initially estimated production, from
the same equipment.
In a similar manner, the production of penicillin was estimated
for other. Soviet Bloc plants, if information regarding fermentation
capacity was available. In each case, the larger estimate is be-
lieved to reflect more closely current (1953) production.
The production of penicillin in East Germany is based upon re-
ports from sources believed to be reliable, while Polish and Czecho-
slovakian production was. calculated, as indicated under the
respective plants in Appendix B, from reports cited.
The penicillin production estimate for Communist China is based
upon the.Mukden plant, the plant furnished by UNRRA having a reported
capacity of 600 BU per year. A similar estimate of 600 BU of peni-
cillin per year was made for the Shanghai plant, because many reports
indicate that Shanghai is becoming a center of importance, and it
appears reasonable that this plant may have been modeled after the
UNRRA plant. The penicillin operation at Peiping appears to be more
for research and development and,, actual production is believed to
be negligible.
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APPENDIX F
GAPS IN INTELLIGENCE
For many antibiotics-producing.plants.in the Soviet Bloc, informa-
tion on production capacities, current rates of production, and types
of antibiotics produced is lacking.
Trade statistics are very incomplete on quantities of anti-
biotics., by type;: that are shipped to the USSR by Satellite coun-
tries.
Although there are indications of general stockpiling of
pharmaceuticals and drugs in the Soviet Bloc, there is no definite
information on the stockpiling of various types and quantities of
antibiotics.
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APPENDIX G
SOURCES AND. EVALUATION OF SOURCES
1. Evaluation of Sources.
It is believed that the sources used are reliable and furnish
the best information available at this time. The mass production of
antibiotics is a relatively new industry, having been stimulated by
the demand created through-their effectiveness in curing a variety
of diseases in World War II. Production of antibiotics in the USSR
lagged far behind that in the US, and it was not until 1948, about
the time when reliable news from behind the Iron Curtain was dif-
ficult to obtain, that Soviet production of penicillin on plant
scale was initiated. This may account for the lack of information
received from the various sources on the antibiotic industry in the
Soviet Bloc.
Evaluations, following the classification entry and designated
t"Eval., tt have the following significance:
Source of Information
Information
Doc. - Documentary
1
- Confirmed by other
sources
A - Completely reliable
2
- Probably true
B - Usually reliable
3
- Possibly true
C - Fairly reliable
4
- Doubtful
D- Not usually reliable
5
- Probably false
E - Not reliable!
F -? Cannot be judged
6
- Cannot be judged
ttDocumentaryt' refers to original documents of foreign govern-
ments and organizations; copies or translations of such documents
by a staff officer; or information extracted from such documents
by a staff officer, all of which,may carry the field evaluation
t"Do cumentary. t'
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Evaluations not otherwise designated are those appearing on the
cited document; those designated "RR" are by the author of this re-
port. No "RR" evaluation is given when the author agrees with the
evaluation, on the cited document.
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