Turkish scientist Ali Rıza Akın, who has carried out important studies in the field of bacteria and microbiology beneficial to human health, brought to light a very striking bio-smuggling incident from Anatolia to the USA. Influx; It was brought to the agenda that billions of dollars of profits were made by producing antibiotics containing the active ingredient daptomycin from the bacterial species called Streptomyces roseosporus, which was found in soil samples smuggled to America from different points in Eastern Anatolia without permission. Stating that the soil samples taken from Turkey without permission were bio-piracy, Akın said, “In recent years, efforts by Turkish researchers and government officials to regain the benefits of S. roseosporus and daptomycin have intensified. However, we are faced with the need to take more serious steps.”
THE SECRET OF ‘NRRL 11379’
COUNTLESS LIVES WERE SAVED
Akın added that not only antifungal compounds but also antibiotics were produced from the S. roseosporus bacteria obtained in soil samples taken from Turkey; “This antibiotic was later named ‘daptomycin’. Eli Lilly and Company, a multinational pharmaceutical company, purchased the rights to daptomycin and developed it further. In 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved daptomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections. Approved for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections. The introduction of daptomycin marked a major breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance. “Thanks to the bacterial species smuggled from Turkish soil, countless lives were saved and healthcare costs were even reduced.” he said.
TURKEY’S RIGHTS WERE NOT GIVEN
Emphasizing that 1.3 billion dollars of revenue was generated from daptomycin, Akın gave the following information: “Despite being the source of the original S. roseosporus strain, Turkey did not obtain any financial benefit from the development and commercialization of daptomycin. Unauthorized transfer of the strain to NRRL and subsequent patenting by Eli Lilly It bypassed Turkish regulations and deprived the country of potential royalties and licensing fees. What is more serious is that Turkey, like many other countries, faces the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance. “Ironically, the country is forced to import daptomycin at high cost to treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, which may have resulted from the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and healthcare.”
MISSED OPPORTUNITY
“We must be stronger to protect the rights of countries and communities where biological resources are obtained.”
It is obvious that international regulations are necessary. For Türkiye, the loss of potential revenue from daptomycin is a significant risk to investment in economic development, health and research.
It is a missed opportunity. Moreover, the country’s ongoing financial burden of importing the drug makes the situation even more tragic.”
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