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			{{Short description\|Kazakh-American physician, microbiologist, and biological warfare (BW) expert}}
	]
			{{Infobox person
			\| name = Ken Alibek
			\| image = Alibek.jpg
			\| caption = Alibek in 2003
			\| native_name = {{nobold\|Қанатжан Әлібеков}}
			\| native_name_lang = kk
			\| birth_name = Қанатжан Байзақұлы Әлібеков<br>Kanatzhan "Kanat" Alibekov
			\| birth_date = {{birth year and age\|1950}}
			\| birth_place = ], ], Soviet Union
			\| nationality = {{unbulleted list\|] (until 1991)\|] (1991–1992)\|] (1992–present)}}
			\| education = ]
			\| occupation = ], doctor (oncologist) and ]
			\| years_active = 1975–1991
			\| era = ]
			\| known_for = Creating the most virulent strain of ] ever synthesized
			\| children = 5
			\| module = {{Infobox military person\| rank=]\|branch={{army\|SOV}} \|allegiance={{flag\|Soviet Union}}\|branch_label=Service\|serviceyears=1975–1991\|commands=]\|embed=yes}}
			}}

			'''Kanatzhan''' "'''Kanat'''" '''Baizakovich Alibekov'''<ref>{{langx\|kk\|Қанатжан Байзақұлы Әлібеков\|Qanatjan Baizaqūly Älıbekov}}; {{langx\|ru\|Канатжан Байзакович Алибеков\|Kanatzhan Baizakovich Alibekov}}</ref> (born 1950), known as '''Kenneth''' "'''Ken'''" '''Alibek'''<ref>{{langx\|kk\|Кеннет (Кен) Әлібек\|Kennet (Ken) Älıbek}}; {{langx\|ru\|Кеннет (Кен) Алибек\|Kennet (Ken) Alibek}}</ref> since 1992, is a ] ], ], and ] administrative management expert. He was the first deputy director of ].<ref name="Courtney-Guy">{{Cite web \|last=Courtney-Guy \|first=Sam \|date=2022-05-20 \|title=Russia 'planned to use monkeypox as a bioweapon', report warned \|url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/20/russia-planned-to-use-monkeypox-as-a-bioweapon-report-warned-16680912/ \|access-date=2022-10-30 \|website=Metro \|language=en}}</ref>
	] '''Kanatzhan Alibekov''' ({{lang-ru\|Канатжан Алибеков}}; {{lang-kz\|Қанатжан Әлібеков}}; born 1950) — known as '''Dr. Ken Alibek''' since 1992 — is a former ] ], ] and ] (BW) expert. He is a military physician, has PhD in microbiology and ScD (Doctor of Sciences) in biotechnology. He rose rapidly in the ranks of the ] to become the First Deputy Director of ] where he oversaw a vast program of biodefense and BW facilities and was responsible for research and production of various pharmaceuticals and biologics. In 1992 he left for the United States, has become an American citizen, and makes his living as a ] consultant, speaker, researcher and entrepreneur. He has actively participated in the development of biodefense strategy for the U.S. government, and has repeatedly advised the ] and other governments on biotechnology issues. He is Chief Executive Officer of ] (USA) and President and Chief Scientific Officer of ] (USA/Ukraine).<ref>www.maxwell.com.ua</ref>

			During his career in Soviet bioweaponry development in the late 1970s and 1980s, Alibekov managed projects that included weaponizing ] and ], and created Russia's first ] bomb.<ref name="Jacobsen">] (2015), ''The Pentagon's Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America's Top Secret Military Research Agency''; New York: ], pg 293.</ref> His most prominent accomplishment was the creation of a new "battle strain" of ], known as "Strain 836", later described by the '']'' as "the most virulent and vicious strain of anthrax known to man".<ref>] (2007), , '']'', 1 July 2007.</ref><ref name="Jacobsen"/>
	==Biography==
	===Youth and early career===
	Alibek was born Kanatzhan Alibekov in ], in the ] of the ] (in present day ]) and grew up in ], the republic's former capital.

			In 1992, he defected to the United States; he has since become an American citizen and made his living as a ] consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur. He had actively participated in the development of biodefense strategy for the U.S. government, and between 1998 and 2005 he testified several times before the ] and other governments on biotechnology issues, saying he was “convinced that Russia’s biological weapons program has not been completely dismantled”.<ref name="Courtney-Guy"/> In 1994, Alibek received a congressional award, a bronze Barkley medal awarded in recognition of distinguished public service and his contribution to world peace.
	His exceptional academic performance while studying ] at the ] Medical Institute and his family’s noted patriotism led to his selection to work for ], the secret BW program overseen by the Soviet Union’s ]. His first assignment (1975) was to the Eastern European Branch of the ] (IAB) near ], a combined ] production facility and reserve BW production plant intended for activation in a time of war. At Omutninsk, Alibekov mastered the art and science of formulating and evaluating nutrient media and cultivation conditions for the optimization of microbial growth. It was here that he expanded his medical school laboratory skills into the complex skill set required for industrial level production of ]s and their toxins.<ref>Anderson, D. (2006), ''Lessons Learned from the Former Soviet Biological Warfare Program''; UMI Dissertation Services, UMI NO. 3231331</ref>

			In 2002, Alibek told ] that there is concern that monkeypox could be engineered into a biological weapon.<ref name="Courtney-Guy"/>
	After less than a year at Omutninsk, Alibekov was transferred to the Siberian Branch of the IAB near ] (another name of the branch was the Berdsk scientific and production base). With the assistance of a colleague, he designed and constructed a microbiology research and development laboratory that worked on techniques to optimize production of biological formulations. After several promotions over a short period of time, Alibekov was transferred back to Omutninsk where he quickly rose to the position of Deputy Director. He was soon transferred to the ] in ] (another reserve BW facility) to become the new Director of that facility. Officially, he was Deputy Director of the ], a manufacturer of ] and ]. At ], Alibekov created the most efficient industrial scale assembly line for biological formulations. In a time of war, the assembly line could be used to produce weaponized ]. Continued successes in science and biotechnology led to more promotions which resulted in a transfer to ].<ref>Anderson (2006), ''Op. cit.''</ref>

			Ohio-based Locus Fermentation Solutions hired Alibek in 2015 as executive vice president for research and development of biologically active molecules for different applications.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brian Albrecht \|first=The Plain Dealer \|date=2019-09-08 \|title=Scientist who supervised Soviet biological weapons production now develops products to help people \|url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/09/scientist-who-supervised-soviet-biological-weapons-production-now-develops-products-to-help-people.html \|access-date=2022-10-30 \|website=cleveland \|language=en}}</ref>
	===Work at Biopreparat-Moscow===
	In Moscow, Alibekov began his service as Deputy Chief of the Biosafety Directorate at Biopreparat. He was later promoted (1988) to First Deputy Director of Biopreparat where he not only oversaw the biological weapons facilities but also the significant number of pharmaceutical facilities that produced ], ], sera, and ] for the public. Though the time he had available was short, he took this additional responsibility to public health seriously.

			==Early life and education==
	In response to a Spring 1990 announcement that the ] was to be reorganized, Alibekov drafted and forwarded through channels a memo to President ] proposing the cessation of Biopreparat’s BW work. Though the President approved the proposal, an additional paragraph had been secretly inserted into Alibekov’s draft resulting in a presidential decree that not only ordered the end of Biopreparat’s BW work but also required them to remain prepared for future production.
			Alibek was born Kanat Alibekov in ], in the ] of the ] (present-day ]), to a ] family. He grew up in ], the republic's former capital. He is a certified oncologist,<ref>Biology of Cancer, Astana, 2012</ref> a doctor of science,<ref>Medical and Industrial Biotechnology, Moscow, 1990</ref> doctor of philosophy <ref>Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Moscow, 1984</ref> and a doctor of medicine.<ref>Military Medicine,Tomsk (Russia), 1975</ref>

			==Career==
	Though disappointed by the double dealing, Alibekov used his position at Biopreparat and the authority granted to him by the first part of the decree to begin destruction of the BW program. Specifically, he ordered the dismantlement of BW production and testing capabilities at a number of research and development facilities including Stepnogorsk, Kol’tsovo, Obolensk and a number of others. He also negotiated a concurrent appointment to a Biopreparat facility called ]. Biomash designed and produced technical equipment for microbial cultivation and testing. He planned to increase the amount of product sent to the hospitals and the civilian medical laboratories beyond the 40% allocated at the time.<ref>Anderson (2006), ''Op. cit.''</ref>
			Alibek's academic performance while studying ] at the ] and his family's noted patriotism led to his selection to work for ], the secret biological weapons program overseen by the Soviet Union's ]. His first assignment in 1975 was to the Eastern European Branch of the ] (IAB) near ], a combined ] production facility and reserve biological weapons production plant intended for activation in a time of war. At Omutninsk, Alibek mastered the art and science of formulating and evaluating nutrient media and cultivation conditions for the optimization of ] growth. While there, he expanded his medical school laboratory skills into the complex skill set required for industrial-level production of ]s and their toxins.<ref>Anderson, D. (2006), ''Lessons Learned from the Former Soviet Biological Warfare Program''; UMI Dissertation Services, UMI NO. 3231331</ref>

			After a year at Omutninsk, Alibek was transferred to the ]n Branch of the IAB near ] (another name of the branch was the Berdsk scientific and production base). With the assistance of a colleague, he designed and constructed a microbiology research and development laboratory that worked on techniques to optimize the production of biological formulations.
	===Life in the United States===
	Alibekov was subsequently placed in charge of intensive preparations for inspections of Soviet biological facilities by a joint American and British delegation. While participating in the subsequent Soviet inspection of American facilities, his growing suspicion that the United States did not have an offensive BW program was confirmed before his return to Russia (the Soviet Union dissolved while he was in the US). Not long after his return from the US, Alibekov resigned from both the Soviet Army and from Biopreparat and secretly emigrated with his family to the US in the fall of 1992, despite being forbidden to do so by the KGB.<ref>Anderson (2006), ''Op. cit.''</ref>

			After several promotions, Alibek was transferred back to Omutninsk, where he rose to the position of deputy director. He was soon transferred to the ] in ] (another reserve BW facility) to become the new director of that facility. Officially, he was deputy director of the Progress Scientific and Production Association, a manufacturer of fertilizer and pesticide.
	Dr. Ken Alibek adds: “Long before my emigration, I resigned from the Soviet Army, left my administrative and scientific positions in Moscow, refused to accept a Russian citizenship, informed Russian security officials that I would be leaving for the United States, became jobless for more than 9 months and, after I got my parents’ blessing, I left the former Soviet Union (it was not Russia). I do not think it can be considered defection even though Russian security officials did not want me to go overseas. But it was a different time, I was not a Russian citizen and they could not have done anything officially. Only after that I emigrated with all my family”

			At ], Alibek created an efficient industrial scale assembly line for biological formulations. In a time of war, the assembly line could be used to produce weaponized ]. Continued successes in science and biotechnology led to more promotions, which resulted in a transfer to ].<ref name="Anderson">Anderson (2006), ''Op. cit.''</ref>
	Since moving to the US, Alibekov — who simplified his name to Ken Alibek — has provided the government with a detailed accounting of the former Soviet BW program and has testified before the ] on numerous occasions (see also ]). He has provided guidance to the intelligence, policy, national security, and medical communities and has returned to the pure biomedical research that captured his interest as a medical student. He was the impetus behind the creation of an innovative biodefense graduate education program at ] (GMU) that drew students from across the country and has served in the program as both a Distinguished Professor of Medical Microbiology and as the Director of Education. He also developed the plans for GMU’s ] three (BSL-3) research facility and was instrumental in obtaining $40 million dollars of grants from the federal and state governments for construction of the facility.<ref>Anderson (2006), ''Op. cit.''</ref>

			===Biopreparat===
	In 1999, Alibek published an autobiographical account of his work in the Soviet Union and his defection.<ref>Alibek, Ken and Stephen Handelman (1999), '']: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World - Told from Inside by the Man Who Ran It'', Delta (2000) ISBN 0-385-33496-6 </ref>
			In Moscow, Alibek began his service as deputy chief of the biosafety directorate at ]. He was promoted in 1988 to first deputy director of Biopreparat, where he not only oversaw the biological weapons facilities but also the significant number of pharmaceutical facilities that produced ], ], sera, and ] for the public.

			In response to a Spring 1990 announcement that the Ministry of Medical and Microbiological Industry was to be reorganized, Alibek drafted and forwarded a memo to then General Secretary ] proposing the cessation of Biopreparat's biological weapons work. Gorbachev approved the proposal, but an additional paragraph was secretly inserted into Alibek's draft, resulting in a presidential decree that ordered the end of Biopreparat's biological weapons work but also required them to remain prepared for future bioweapons production.
	===Pharmaceutical entrepreneur and researcher===
	On 11 March 2006, Alibek announced that, owing to substantive differences between himself and GMU over the future of the Graduate Programs in Biodefense, he would not be teaching classes beyond the Spring semester and that he was resigning from GMU effective 27 August 2006. In an agreement with his students, he volunteered his time from Spring 2006 through Spring 2007 to help them earn their doctoral degrees.

			Alibek used his position at Biopreparat and the authority granted to him by the first part of the decree to begin the destruction of the biological weapons to dismantle biological weapons production and testing capabilities at a number of research and development facilities, including ], ], ], and others. He also negotiated a concurrent appointment to a Biopreparat facility called Biomash. Biomash designed and produced technical equipment for microbial cultivation and testing. He planned to increase the proportion of its products sent to hospitals and civilian medical laboratories beyond the 40% allocated at the time.<ref name="Anderson"/>
	Alibek is currently the President, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Executive Officer at ] in ] <ref></ref> where he and his scientific team continue their development of advanced solutions for antimicrobial immunity. Motivated by the lack of affordable anti-cancer therapies available in ] and ], AFG is using Alibek’s biotechnology experience to plan, build, and manage a new pharmaceutical production facility designed specifically to address this problem. Alibek created this new pharmaceutical production company, ] (MWB), in 2006 and serves as its CEO and President. Based in Washington, D.C., with several subsidiaries and affiliates in the United States and Ukraine, MWB’s main goal is said to be the creation of a new, large-scale, high-technology, ultra-modern pharmaceutical ] facility in Ukraine. Off-patent generic pharmaceuticals produced at this site are supposed to target severe oncological, cardiological, immunological, and chronic infectious diseases. MWB is said to be the biggest and most modern pharmaceutical production facility in all of the former Soviet Union. It is intended to serve as the flagship of a larger healthcare complex at a campus just outside the Ukrainian capital city of ] in the town of ]. Construction of the Boryspil facility began in April 2007 and was completed in March 2008; initial production is scheduled to begin in 2008. The stated intention is that high quality pharmaceuticals will be produced and become an affordable source of therapy for millions of underprivileged who currently have no therapeutic options.

			Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Alibek was subsequently placed in charge of intensive preparations for inspections of Soviet biological facilities by a joint American and British delegation. But when he participated in the subsequent Soviet inspection of American facilities, his suspicion that the U.S. did not have an offensive bioweapons program was confirmed before his return to ]. In January 1992, not long after his return from the U.S., Alibek protested against Russia's continuation of bioweapons work and resigned from both the Russian Army and Biopreparat.
	The main focus of Dr. Alibek's current research is to develop novel modalities for therapy of late stage oncologic diseases and other chronic degenerative pathologies and disorders. He focuses on a role of chronic viral and bacterial infections in causing age-related diseases and premature aging. Additionally, he develops and implements novel systemic immunotherapy methods for late stage cancer patients.

			===Immigration to the United States===
	== Biographical chronology==
			In October 1992, Alibek and his family emigrated to the United States.<ref name="Anderson"/> After moving to the U.S., Alibekov provided the government with a detailed accounting of the former Soviet biological weapons program. During a ] debriefing, Alibek described the Soviet efforts to weaponize a particularly virulent ] strain, producing hundreds of tons of the virus that could be disseminated with bombs or ballistic missiles.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Flight \|first=Colette \|date=2011-02-17 \|title=Silent Weapon: Smallpox and Biological Warfare \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/pox_weapon_01.shtml \|access-date=2022-08-15 \|website=BBC History \|language=}}</ref> Information about the Soviet biological weapons program had already been provided in 1989 by the defected scientist ].
	*2009 Founder, International Medical Research Center Maxwell USA for therapy of late stage onclologic and other chronic diseases
	*2008 Chairman, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Immunotherapy, the Institute of Ecology and Medicine
	*2007 Professor of the Institute of Ecology and Medicine, Ukraine and Lecturer for the ]
	*2006 CEO and President of MaxWell Biocorporation LLC (USA/Ukraine)
	*Served on over 35 doctoral committees (PhD) and two Doctor of Sciences committees both in Russia and the United States
	*From 2000 to 2006 BBC’s “Historic Figures”
	*2005 Lecturer for “Russian-American Security Program of Harvard University’s John Kennedy Center for Government Studies
	*2005 Senior Fellow, Center for Advanced Defense Studies, Washington DC
	*2004 Outstanding faculty member, George Mason University
	*2003 Consultant to the government of Singapore on BW threat and defense
	*2002 Distinguished and tenured professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, George Mason University
	*Multiple written appreciations from various branches of the United States government for continued support in the field of national security
	*Multiple invitations to speak for national and international symposia and conferences
	*2002 Business Forward Magazine Award: “Deals of the Year” for one of the biggest federal contracts for small businesses
	*2001 President of AFG Biosolutions, Inc. ( formerly “Advanced Biosystems, Inc”)
	*2000 Corporate vice president of Analex Corporation
	*2000 Authored the “Biohazard” book – published in more than 20 countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Taiwan, etc.
	*1999 Chief Scientist of Analex Corporation (formerly Hadron, Inc)
	*1994 Barkley Medal - awarded by the U.S. government in recognition of distinguished public service and contribution to world peace
	*1990 Colonel of Soviet Armed Forces (May 5)
	*1990 Doctor of Sciences in Biotechnology
	*1988 First deputy director of Main Directorate Biopreparat – chief scientist of BW threat program
	*1987 Director of scientific directorate of Main Directorate Biopreparat
	*1984 Medal “For Battlefield Services” of Soviet Armed Forces
	*1984 PhD in Medical Microbiology
	*1983 Military commander of BW threat research and development base, USSR
	*1975 Doctor of Medicine – Military Medicine

			Alibekov has testified before the ] several times and has provided guidance to U.S. intelligence, policy, national security, and medical communities.
	Some observers have questioned the scientific credibility of Alibek's recent work and his motivations.
	Here we provide with the main statements from one of the articles and Dr. Alibek and his colleagues' responses:
	* In a September 2003 news release, Alibek and another professor suggested, based on their laboratory research, that smallpox vaccination might increase a person's immunity to HIV. The work was touted by GMU but was rejected after peer-review by the '']'' and '']'' and is no longer being pursued. According to smallpox expert and former White House science advisor ], "This is a theory that… does not hold up at all, and it does not make any sense from a biologic point of view…This idea ... was straight off the wall. I would put no credence in it at all."
	*However, on May 18, 2010, '']'' published a scientific article '']'' that confirmed that HIV virus is growing much slower in the blood of people vaccinated against smallpox. Ken Alibek is one of the authors of the article which (according to him) is the response to the LA Times article. He says that all other "facts" in the article have the same value.
	*Alibek and colleagues have sought to develop a product that would protect against an array of deadly viruses and bacteria, rather than just a single organism. In his lab, mice had survived doses of smallpox and anthrax. His "cocktail approach" -- mixing more than one drug with other ingredients—was touted at news conferences in 2002 and 2004 by ] ] (R-N.J.), perhaps Alibek’s major government benefactor, as "a potential new defense against bioterrorism". But this unconventional scientific approach is very difficult to assess accurately and has not withstood scientific peer review.
	*According to Dr. Alibek these people should have read peer-reviewd scientific articles and commercial literature on this principle of antiviral and antibacterial protection. One of the principles of this protective method he published in the peer-reviewed CDC’s journal '']'' in the Letter to Editor '']'' He also says that while here in the United States we spend time for these arguments, new preparations using the same principle have already appeared on the pharmaceutical markets of European countries for protecting against viral and bacterial infections. For example, an intranasal preparation based on the same principle offered by Dr. Alibek is being sold under the name IRS - 19 (it was developed and manufactured by Solvay pharmaceutical company). Currently, there are a large number of companies in the US that explore the same approach in antiviral defense. However, it is very likely that the participation of amateurs and other types of non-professionals in these scientific discussions did not (and will not) let this new biodefense and epidemic prevention approach to be introduced in the USA. A number of pharmaceutical preparations based on this and close the same approaches are growing dramatically in the world but not in the United States.
	*Alibek has used his notoriety to promote "Dr. Ken Alibek's Immune System Support Formula," a ] sold over the Internet. The concoction of vitamins, minerals, and a proprietary bacterial mix — a month's supply of which cost $59.95 plus tax and shipping — will purportedly “bolster the immune system”.<ref></ref>
	*In a number of interviews to various media outlets Dr. Alibek said that it was his scientific research work for developing an immune system modulator in people having T- and B-cell deficiencis. But it was not his idea to commercialize the forumula and he never sold anything and never benefited from these sales and never had any commercial interests which could have resulted from these sales over the Internet.
	*Alibek resigned as executive director of GMU’s ] in September 2006, despite his position as a tenured and distinguished professor. A University spokeswoman confirmed his resignation, but declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding his departure. According to a 2007 '']'' article, “Alibek said the college administration had grown displeased with his company's role in sharing grant-funded research. The university, he said, requested that he dismantle or leave AFG Biosolutions. He chose to resign from George Mason.”<ref>Willman, ''Op. cit''</ref>
	*That is what Dr. Alibek said to one of the reporters who interviewed him on this issue. “It was a very difficult decision for me to make. I was the National Center’s director, a distinguished and tenured professor with one of the highest compensations possible. I was awarded a title of outstanding faculty of the university. In 2005 I was offered even a much higher salary if I dismantle the company I have established a long before I came to the university and would transfer all the projects to the university. I could not betray my scientists who believed in me and would lose their jobs if the company was to be dismantled. I chose to stay with the company but, as the result of my decision, I lost all monetary and social security benefits I had at the university. I do not feel sorry for it since many of my scientists had a chance to continue working on interesting scientific projects and to support their spouses and children for a long time afterwards”
	*Some experts question Alibek's characterizations of the bioterriorism threats. Some have asserted that Alibek has a vested interest in raising fears as he profits from government contracts related to countering bioterrorism. Retired Army major general and physician ] , while impressed by Alibek’s knowledge of the former Soviet Union's production of anthrax, "began to think that Ken was more fanciful than precise in some of his recollections" where the genetically engineered smallpox was concerned. Russell also remarked with regard to “…the issue of putting ] genes into smallpox virus. That was viewed, at least in many of our minds, as somewhat fanciful. And probably not true."<ref>Willman, ''Op. cit''.</ref>
	*According to Dr. Alibek there is a significant problem for many US scientists because they do not read articles written in some other languages. In order to help understand the problem related to smallpox studies he published a review article '']'' in a peer-reviewed journal '']'' where he described all published research (with specific methodologies used by those researchers) in non-English scientific journals. When Dr. Alibek was asked about Dr. Russell's comment, he suggested to read his article. He says: "It is unfortunate that in such discussions we use "opinions" - it would be much more appropriate to use just science since this is the only way to resolve scientific issues". He added that there was no personal benefit for his work in biodefense fields since for many years he mainly worked on NIH-granted projects and the projects from commercial companies which had nothing in common with biodefense. These commercial projects were mostly focused on drug discovery and development for general medical purposes and his personal congress-supported research (it was mostly done by other researchers of his company) on developing protective preparations for biodefense were minuscule comparing to his commercial work.
	*Dr. Alibek’s opinion about the article in LA Times. After it was published, Dr. Alibek said that he was really surprised with the article published by Mr.David Willman. He says that the most shocking thing was that he did not expect anything like that from a Pulitzer Prize winner. The article was very prejudicial and he did not use any positive and supportive of Dr. Alibek information from his students, his colleagues and government officials who oversaw his research since the information provided by them did not serve his agenda.

			He was the impetus behind the creation of a biodefense graduate program at the ] at ], serving as Distinguished Professor of Medical Microbiology and the program's Director of Education. He also developed the plans for the university's ] three (BSL-3) research facility and secured $40 million of grants from the federal and state governments for its construction.<ref name="Anderson" />
	==Publications==
	===Pre-defection===
	Alibek published more than 80 articles in classified journals on the development of new types of biological weapons and on medical aspects of biodefense prior to his defection to the United States.

			From 1993 to 1999, Alibek took on multiple R&D roles, including a visiting scientist at the National Institute of Health, researching novel antigenic, potentially immunogenic substances for the development of tuberculosis vaccine; project manager at SRS Technologies where he researched, analyzed and developed detailed synthesis reports regarding the biotechnological of foreign countries; and program manager at Battelle Memorial Institute overseeing research projects in medical biotechnology, biosynthesis and fermentation equipment.
	===Post-defection===
	'''Books'''
	*Alibek, Ken and Steven Handelman (1999), '']: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World - Told from Inside by the Man Who Ran It'', Random House, ISBN 0-385-33496-6.
	*"The Anthrax Vaccine: Is It safe? Does it Work?" (2002), Reviewer. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine .
	*''Biological Threats and Terrorism: Assessing the Science and Response Capabilities'' (2002), Workshop Summary, Contributor. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine .
	* Weinstein, R.S. and K. Alibek (2003), ''Biological and Chemical Terrorism: A Guide for Healthcare Providers and First Responders'', Thieme Medical Publishing, New York.
	*Alibek, K., et al. (2003), ''Biological Weapons'', Bio-Prep, Louisiana, Jan.
	*Fong, I. and K. Alibek (2005),"Bioterrorism and Infectious Agents: A New Dilemma for the 21st Century", Springer.
	*Fong, I. and K. Alibek (2006), ''New and Evolving Infections of the 21st Century'', Springer.

			In 1999, Alibek published an autobiographical account of his work in the Soviet Union and his defection.<ref>Alibek, Ken and Stephen Handelman (1999), '']: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World – Told from Inside by the Man Who Ran It'', Delta (2000) {{ISBN\|0-385-33496-6}}</ref>
	'''Book chapters'''
	*”Firepower in the Lab: Automation in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism” (2001), Chapter 15 of ''Biological Weapons: Past, Present, and Future'', ], Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine.
	*''Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook'' (2002), Second Edition, F. R. Sidell, W. C. Patrick, T. R. Dashiell, K. Alibek, Jane’s Information Group, Alexandria, VA.
	*K. Alibek, C. Lobanova, "Modulation of Innate Immunity to Protect Against Biological Weapon Threat" (2006), In: ''Microorganisms and Bioterrorism'', Springer.

			Reporting the prospect of ] gaining the ability to get hold of smallpox or anthrax, Alibek said, "there is no doubt that ] has weapons of mass destruction." However, no biological weapons were later found in Iraq.
	'''Monographs'''
	*Weinstein R, Weinstein M, Alibek K et al., "Significantly reduced CCR5-tropic HIV-1 replication in vitro in cells from subjects previously immunized with Vaccinia Virus", '']'' 2010 May 18;11(1):23.
	*Alibek K, Grechaniy L, Klimenko T, Kucheryavenko E., "Use of endogenous modulators of nonspecific immunity for the treatment of prevention of a wide range of infectious diseases". '']'', May 28, 2009 pp 212–229
	*Tan Y, Kusuma C, St John L, Vu H, Alibek K, Wu A., "Induction of authography by anthrax lethal toxin", '']'', 2009 Feb 6;379(2):293-7
	*Alibek K, Grechaniy L, Klymenko T, Pashkova A. (2008), "Fifth Revolution in Medicine: On the Role of Infections in Pathogenesis of Aging and Chronic Diseases", '']'', Jan-March issue
	*Alibek K, Grechana T, Grechanyiy L, et al. (2008), Link Between Intestinal Microflora and Gut Immune System: Changes Related to Age, '']''June;3 (54).
	*Alibek K, Klimenko T, et al. (2007), "Viral Cancerogenesis: Current Point of View", ''], Jun-Aug issue.
	*Alibek K and A Pashkova (2007), "Infection as a risk factor in the atherosclerosis development: current concepts and treatment opportunities", '']'', Apr-May;(3):3-13 PMID: 18273960.
	*Alibek K, NV Osipov and SA Nazarenko (2007), "Role of microorganisms in etiology and pathogenesis of aging", '']'' Jan-Mar;(1-2):10-7.
	*Dan Richards, Kenneth Alibek, Michael G Katze, Mark A Wainberg, Richard J Webby "Controversies in 21st century virology" '']'', May 2006, Vol. 1, No. 3, Pages 263–268
	*Alibek K and G Liu (2006), "Biodefense shield and avian influenza", '']'' May;12(5):873-5. PMID: 16710964.
	*Karginov VA, A Yohannes, TM Robinson, K Alibek, et al. (2006), "Beta-cyclodextrin derivatives that inhibit anthrax lethal toxin", '']'' Jan 1;14(1):33-40. Epub 2005 Sep 19; PMID: 16169738.
	*Forino M, S Johnson, TY Wong, K. Alibek, et al. (2005), "Efficient synthetic inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor", '']'' Jul 5;102(27):9499-504. Epub 2005 Jun 27; PMID: 15983377.
	*Popov SG, Popova TG, Hopkins S, K Alibek, et al. (2005), "Effective antiprotease-antibiotic treatment of experimental anthrax", '']'' Apr 8;5(1):25. PMID: 15819985
	*Alibek K (2004), "Smallpox: a disease and a weapon", '']'' Oct;8 Suppl 2:S3-8. PMID: 15491869
	*Liu G, Q Zhai, D Schaffner, K Alibek, et al. (2004), "''Bacillus alcalophilus'' peptidoglycan induces IFN-alpha-mediated inhibition of vaccinia virus replication" '']''; Oct 1;42(2):197-204; PMID: 15364104.
	*Alibek K, and C Bailey (2004), "BioShield or biogap?", '']''; 2(2):132-3. PMID: 15225408.
	*Liu G, Q Zhai, DJ Schaffner, K Alibek, et al. (2004), "Prevention of lethal respiratory vaccinia infections in mice with interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma", ''FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol'', Apr 9;40(3):201-6; PMID: 15039095.
	*Liu G, Zhai Q, Schaffner D, K Alibek, et al. (2004), "IL-15 induces IFN-beta and iNOS gene expression, and antiviral activity of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells", '']'', Feb 15;91(2-3):171-8; PMID: 15019287.
	*Popov SG, TG Popova, E Grene, K Alibek, et al. (2004), "Systemic cytokine response in murine anthrax", '']'' Mar;6(3):225-33; PMID: 14764106.
	*Karginov VA, Robinson TM, Riemenschneider J, K Alibek, et al. (2004), "Treatment of anthrax infection with combination of ciprofloxacin and antibodies to protective antigen of ''Bacillus anthracis''", ''FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol'', Jan 15;40(1):71-4; PMID: 14734189.
	*Wu AG, Alibek D, Li YL, K Alibek, et al. (2003), "Anthrax toxin induces hemolysis: an indirect effect through polymorphonuclear cells", ''J Infect Dis'' Oct 15;188(8):1138-41. Epub 2003 Sep 30; PMID: 14551883.
	*Radyuk SN, PA Mericko, TG Popova, K Alibek et al. (2003), "In vitro-generated respiratory mucosa: a new tool to study inhalational anthrax", '']'' Jun 6;305(3):624-32.
	*Klichko VI, J Miller, A Wu, K Alibek, et al. (2003), "Anaerobic induction of ''Bacillus anthracis'' hemolytic activity", ''Biochem Biophys Res Commun'' Apr 11;303(3):855-62, PMID: 12670489.
	*Popov SG, Villasmil R, Bernardi J, K Alibek, et al. (2002), "Effect of ''Bacillus anthracis'' lethal toxin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells", ''FEBS Lett'' Sep 11;527(1-3):211-5, PMID: 12220662.
	*Popov SG, Villasmil R, Bernardi J, K Alibek, et al. (2002), "Lethal toxin of ''Bacillus anthracis'' causes apoptosis of macrophages", ''Biochem Biophys Res Commun'' Apr 26;293(1):349-55, PMID: 12054607.
	*K. Alibek, Bioterrorism Threat in Modern World, Abstract of presentation to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, New York, 2002.
	*K. Alibek, Mighty Microbe, Defense Review, Pg. 44, Autumn, 2001.
	*K. Alibek, Biological Weapons: Threat and Defense. Abstract of presentation to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 2000.
	*Alibek K (1999), "The Soviet Union's anti-agricultural biological weapons", '']'' 894:18-9, PMID: 10681964.
	*K. Alibek, Behind the mask: biological warfare, Perspective, Volume IX, Number 1, September–October 1998.

			===Entrepreneur and research administrator===
	'''Op-Eds'''
			Alibek was president, chief scientific officer, and chief executive officer at AFG Biosolutions, Inc in ],<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.afgbio.com/\|title=afgbio.com\|website=www.afgbio.com\|accessdate=May 7, 2021}}</ref> where he and his scientific team continued their development of advanced solutions for antimicrobial immunity. Motivated by the lack of affordable anti-cancer therapies available in ] and ], AFG was using Alibek's biotechnology experience to plan, build, and manage a new pharmaceutical production facility designed specifically to address this problem.

			Alibek created a new pharmaceutical production company, MaxWell Biocorporation (MWB), in 2006 and served as its chief executive officer and president. Based in ], with several subsidiaries and affiliates in the U.S. and ], MWB's main stated goal is create a new, large-scale, high-technology, ultra-modern pharmaceutical fill-and-finish facility in ]. Off-patent generic pharmaceuticals produced at this site are intended to target severe oncological, cardiological, immunological, and chronic infectious diseases.

			Construction of the Boryspil facility began in April 2007 and was completed in March 2008; initial production was scheduled to begin in 2008. The stated intention was that high-quality pharmaceuticals would be produced and become an affordable source of therapy for millions of underprivileged who currently have no therapeutic options.<ref name="MaxwellUSA"> {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007095259/http://www.maxwellusa.com.ua/ \|date=2010-10-07 }}</ref> Abilek stepped down as President of MWB in the summer of 2008 shortly after the facility opened.

			Alibek's main research focus was developing novel forms of therapy for late-stage oncological diseases and other chronic degenerative pathologies and disorders. He focuses on the role of chronic viral and bacterial infections in causing age-related diseases and premature aging. Additionally, he develops and implements novel systemic immunotherapy methods for late-stage cancer patients.<ref name="MaxwellUSA"/>

			Throughout his career, Alibek has published nine research articles on the role of infectious diseases in cancer.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://infectagentscancer.biomedcentral.com/articles?query=alibek&searchType=journalSearch&tab=keyword \| title=Infectious Agents and Cancer }}</ref>

			===Work in Kazakhstan===
			In 2010, Alibek was invited to begin working in ] as a head of the Department of Chemistry and Biology at the School of Science and Technology of ] in ], where he was engaged in the development of anti-cancer drugs and life-prolonging drugs, and was chairman of the board of the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency Medical Care and headed the National Scientific Center for Oncology and Transplantation. During his stay, he published a number of articles in research journals and taught various courses in various fields of biology and medicine. He focused on a possible role of chronic infections, metabolic disorders, and immunosuppression on cancer development. In 2011, he was awarded a prize from the Deputy Prime Minister for his contribution to the development of the educational system in Kazakhstan. In 2014, he was awarded a medal by the Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan for his contribution to research in Kazakhstan. He continues his work as an administrative manager of a research and medicine and education professor.

			However, after seven years, no significant scientific results from Alibek's work developed. During these seven years, Alibek received more than 1 billion Tenge from the budget for "New Systemic Therapy for Cancer Tumors" project he tried to implement. The promising Swedish technique has remained a common concept, a panacea for cancer treatment has not appeared. Three submitted Alibekov patent applications for registration were rejected by the National Institute of Intellectual Property of the ] since there was no novelty.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Капитанова \|first=Ирина \|date=2018-02-21 \|title=Чем занимался подозреваемый в пособничеству Аблязову Кеннет Алибек после эмиграции в США \|url=https://www.zakon.kz/4905091-chem-zanimalsya-podozrevaemyy-v.html \|access-date=2022-03-17 \|website=zakon.kz \|language=ru}}</ref>

			In 2016, Alibek was chosen as one of the nominees in the "Science" category of the national project El Tulgasy, which was designed to select the most significant citizens of Kazakhstan who are associated with national achievements. More than 350,000 people voted in this project, and Alibek was voted 10th place in his category.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=ЕЛ ТҰЛҒАСЫ / ИМЯ РОДИНЫ / События / Разделы сайта / Деловой журнал Exclusive\|url=http://exclusive.kz/el-tulgasy-2016/\|date=2017-03-21\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321153157/http://exclusive.kz/el-tulgasy-2016/\|access-date=2020-05-13\|archive-date=2017-03-21}}</ref>

			===COVID-19===
			Alibek has experience in vaccine development for pandemics. In 2006, his article on new principles for developing these vaccines was published in Future Medicine.<ref>{{cite journal \| url=https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/full/10.2217/17460794.1.3.263 \| doi=10.2217/17460794.1.3.263 \| title=Controversies in 21st century virology \| date=2006 \| last1=Richards \| first1=Dan \| last2=Alibek \| first2=Kenneth \| last3=Katze \| first3=Michael G. \| last4=Wainberg \| first4=Mark A. \| last5=Webby \| first5=Richard J. \| journal=Future Virology \| volume=1 \| issue=3 \| pages=263–268 }}</ref>

			In January 2020, Alibek issued a warning about COVID-19 and its potential as a global problem.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/healthcare/pandemic-coronavirus-sars-ken-alibek?fbclid=IwAR2RkV5c7aub0u8QqOQFiN50zDQ2vx_LVc6aDEh8b8uRSJch-rbDSUT3qJU \| title=Pandemic expert thinks coronavirus echoes SARS in many ways \| website=] \| date=30 January 2020 }}</ref> His research on safe methods of protection against the virus ahead of a vaccine was later published in the journal Research Ideas and Outcomes (RIO).<ref>{{cite journal \| url=https://riojournal.com/article/61709/ \| doi=10.3897/rio.6.e61709 \| doi-access=free \| title=Ahead of a vaccine: A safe method of protection against COVID-19 exists \| date=2020 \| last1=Alibek \| first1=Kenneth \| last2=Tskhay \| first2=Albina \| journal=Research Ideas and Outcomes \| volume=6 }}</ref> He also wrote two chapters on methods to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic in the book Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://www.amazon.com/Defending-Against-Biothreats-Coronavirus-Biological/dp/B08CJXNCMB \| isbn=979-8-6643-8044-6 \| title=Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons \| date=7 July 2020 \| publisher=Independently published }}</ref>

			In 2021, Alibek offered a free seminar on the antiviral biodefence in the world of epidemic uncertainties.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://osdife.org/25556/free-seminar-antiviral-biodefence-in-the-world-of-epidemic-uncertainties/ \| title=Free seminar: Antiviral biodefence in the world of epidemic uncertainties \| OSDIFE \| date=4 May 2021 }}</ref>

			===Autism research===
			Starting in 2007, Alibek began researching ] based on his background as a board-certified oncologist and his own personal connection to the disorder through his daughter, Mary. He supports the idea that the disorder is the result of prenatal viral and bacterial infections. Multiple studies have been conducted with patients that have autism spectrum disorder, including a 2018-2019 study with 57 patients, a 2021-2023 study with 142 patients and a 2023 study with 32 patients. In addition, more than 1,000 children have been treated using the protocol. His patients are located predominantly in nations in the former ] and Ukraine, and he consults mainly using free telemedicine services. During these studies, specific inflammation markers along with biochemical and neuropsychiatric parameters were identified as an objective measure of improvement in and a reduction of symptoms. Alibek has published 6 studies in peer-reviewed journals about the causes and treatment of Autism, and has one issued U.S. patent and three U.S. patent filings on his novel approach to treatment.<ref>Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A, Isakov T (2019) Etiotropic and Pathogenetic Therapy of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Series of 6 Children. J Neurol Psychiatr Disord 1(1): 105; Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A and Isakov T (2019) Prevalence of Prenatal, Neonatal and Postnatal Complications among Healthy Children and Children Diagnosed with ASD in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. J Gynecol Neonatal 2(1): 103; Kenneth Alibek, Sean Farmer, Albina Tskhay, Alibek Moldakozhayev and Kira Alibek., et al (2019) Tendencies in Changes of Blood Parameters and in Autistic Symptoms Improvements as a Result of Antiviral Treatment: Descriptive Case Series of 11 Children from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. J Clin Case Rep Clin Res 1(1): 102; Kenneth Alibek, Sean Farmer, Albina Tskhay, Alibek Moldakozhayev and Kira Alibek., et al (2019) The Role of Infection, Inflammation and Genetic Alterations in ASD Etiopathogenesis: A Review. J Neurol Psychiatr Disord 2(1): 105; Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A, Isakov T (2019) Treatment of Chronic and Latent Infections Combined with Nutritional Supplementation Positively Affects Quality of Life of ASD Children: Series of 30 Cases. J Nutr Diet Suppl 3(1): 102; Alibek K, Niyazmetova L, Farmer S, Isakov T (2022) Persistent Inflammation Initiated by TORCH Infections and Dysbiotic Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospect for Future Interventions. Research Ideas and Outcomes 8: e91179.</ref>

			==Criticism==
			In a September 2003 news release, Alibek and another professor suggested, based on their laboratory research, that the ] might increase a person's resistance to ]. The work was rejected after peer review by the '']'' and '']'' and is no longer being pursued. According to smallpox expert and former White House science advisor ], "This is a theory that... does not hold up at all, and it does not make any sense from a biologic point of view...This idea...was straight off the wall. I would put no credence in it at all." In 2010, an article coauthored by Alibek appeared in ''Biomed Central - Immunology'', a scientific journal, that outlined the results of their research showing that prior immunization with the vaccine Dryvax may confer resistance to HIV replication.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Willman \|first=David \|date=2007-07-01 \|title=Selling the threat of bioterrorism \|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-01-na-alibek1-story.html \|access-date=2022-03-17 \|website=Los Angeles Times \|language=en-US}}</ref>

			Alibek also has promoted "Dr. Ken Alibek's Immune System Support Formula," a ] sold over the Internet. It contains vitamins, minerals, and a proprietary bacterial mix that will purportedly "bolster the immune system".<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.scienceonline.org/cgi/content/summary/298/5592/359b \|title="Random Samples", ''Science'', 11 October 2002: Vol. 298. no. 5592, p. 359 \|access-date=21 October 2013 \|archive-date=7 February 2010 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207001429/http://www.scienceonline.org/cgi/content/summary/298/5592/359b \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			==Personal life==
			Alibek has a wife and five children (two sons and three daughters); one of his daughters is ].

			==Publications==
			; Books
			{{See also\|Biohazard (book)}}
			*Alibek, Ken and Steven Handelman (1999), '']: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World – Told from Inside by the Man Who Ran It'', Random House, {{ISBN\|0-385-33496-6}}.
			*"The Anthrax Vaccine: Is It safe? Does it Work?" (2002), Reviewer. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine.
			*''Biological Threats and Terrorism: Assessing the Science and Response Capabilities'' (2002), Workshop Summary, Contributor. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine.
			*Weinstein, R.S. and K. Alibek (2003), ''Biological and Chemical Terrorism: A Guide for Healthcare Providers and First Responders'', Thieme Medical Publishing, New York.
			*Alibek, K., et al. (2003), ''Biological Weapons'', Bio-Prep, Louisiana.
			*Fong, I. and K. Alibek (2005), ''Bioterrorism and Infectious Agents: A New Dilemma for the 21st Century'', Springer.
			*Fong, I. and K. Alibek (2006), ''New and Evolving Infections of the 21st Century'', Springer.
			*Fleitz, Alibek, Bryen, Rosett, Chang, DeSutter, Elliott, Faddis, Geraghty, Gibson (2020), Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons

			; Book chapters
			*"Firepower in the Lab: Automation in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism" (2001), Chapter 15 of ''Biological Weapons: Past, Present, and Future'', ], Washington, D.C., Institute of Medicine.
			*''Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook'' (2002), Second Edition, F. R. Sidell, W. C. Patrick, T. R. Dashiell, K. Alibek, Jane's Information Group, Alexandria, VA.
			*K. Alibek, C. Lobanova, "Modulation of Innate Immunity to Protect Against Biological Weapon Threat" (2006). In: ''Microorganisms and Bioterrorism'', Springer.

			;Op-Eds
	*'']''		*'']''
	**~~“Russia’s~~ Deadly ~~Expertise”~~, March 27, 1998.		**"Russia's Deadly Expertise", March 27, 1998.
	**~~“Smallpox~~ Could Still Be a ~~Danger”~~, May 24, 1999.		**"Smallpox Could Still Be a Danger", May 24, 1999.
	*'']''		*'']''
	**~~“Russia~~ Retains Biological Weapons ~~Capability”~~, February, 2000.		**"Russia Retains Biological Weapons Capability", February, 2000.
	**~~“Bioterror~~: A Very Real ~~Threat”~~, October, 2001.		**"Bioterror: A Very Real Threat", October, 2001.
	*'']''		*'']''
	**~~“Anthrax~~ under the ~~Microscope”~~, with ], November 5, 2002.		**"Anthrax under the Microscope", with ], November 5, 2002.

	~~'''~~Selected Congressional Testimony~~'''~~		; Selected Congressional Testimony
	*		*
	*''Testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence'', June, 1999 {{Citation needed\|date=April 2010}}		*''Testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence'', June, 1999 {{Citation needed\|date=April 2010}}
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*

			;Awards, Presentations and Distinctions
			*2014 Kazakhstan Government's Prime Minister Award “For Distinguished Contribution to Science”
			*2011 Kazakhstan Government's Vice Prime Minister Award “For the Development of Kazakhstan Education System”
			*2007 “Panacea Award” for Innovations in Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries, Kyiv (Ukraine)
			*2005 Lecturer for on a “Russian-American Security Program of Harvard University’s John Kennedy Center for Government Studies
			*2005 Senior Fellow, Center for Advanced Defense Studies, Washington DC
			*2004 Outstanding Faculty Member Award, George Mason University
			*2002 Business Forward Magazine Award: “Deals of the Year” for One of the Largest Federal Research Contracts for Small Businesses
			*2000 (Davos, Switzerland), 2002 (New York) Invited speaker to the World Economic Forum
			*1994 Congressional Award: Bronze medal named after Albane W. Barkley - Awarded by the U.S. Government in Recognition of Distinguished Public Service
			*1989 A Colonel of Medical Services, awarded by the USSR's Minister of Defense
			*1983 Medal “For Combat Merits” by the USSR's Minister of Defense

	==References==		==References==
			{{Reflist}}
	<references/>
			<references group="Weinstein, et al. BMC Immunology201011:23 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-11-23" />

			==Further reading==
	'''See also:'''
	*"Interview Dr. Ken Alibek", '']'' (September 18, 2000)		* "Interview Dr. Ken Alibek", ''Journal of Homeland Security'', September 18, 2000
			* {{cite magazine \|author1=Preston, Richard \|title=Annals of Warfare--The Bioweaponeers \|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1998/03/09/the-bioweaponeers \|magazine=The New Yorker \|publisher=Condé Nast \|access-date=1 July 2023 \|date=9 March 1998}}
			* {{cite web \|title=144 Cong. Rec. S1876 - RUSSIAN BW PROGRAM \|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CREC-1998-03-12/CREC-1998-03-12-pt1-PgS1876 \|website=GovInfo.gov \|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office \|access-date=1 July 2023 \|pages=1877–1882 \|date=12 March 1998}}

			==External links==
			*{{C-SPAN\|56126}}

			{{U.S.S.R. biological weapons}}
			{{Authority control}}

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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Alibek, Kenneth}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Alibek, Kenneth}}
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Latest revision as of 02:24, 27 October 2024

Kazakh-American physician, microbiologist, and biological warfare (BW) expert

Ken Alibek
Қанатжан Әлібеков
Alibek in 2003
Born	Қанатжан Байзақұлы Әлібеков Kanatzhan "Kanat" Alibekov 1950 (age 74–75) Kauchuk, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union
Nationality	Soviet Union (until 1991) Kazakhstan (1991–1992) United States (1992–present)
Education	Tomsk Medical Institute
Occupation(s)	Microbiologist, doctor (oncologist) and bioweaponeer
Years active	1975–1991
Era	Cold War
Known for	Creating the most virulent strain of anthrax ever synthesized
Children	5

Military career
Allegiance	Soviet Union
Service	Soviet Army
Years of service	1975–1991
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Biopreparat

Kanatzhan "Kanat" Baizakovich Alibekov (born 1950), known as Kenneth "Ken" Alibek since 1992, is a Kazakh-American microbiologist, bioweaponeer, and biological warfare administrative management expert. He was the first deputy director of Biopreparat.

During his career in Soviet bioweaponry development in the late 1970s and 1980s, Alibekov managed projects that included weaponizing glanders and Marburg hemorrhagic fever, and created Russia's first tularemia bomb. His most prominent accomplishment was the creation of a new "battle strain" of anthrax, known as "Strain 836", later described by the Los Angeles Times as "the most virulent and vicious strain of anthrax known to man".

In 1992, he defected to the United States; he has since become an American citizen and made his living as a biodefense consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur. He had actively participated in the development of biodefense strategy for the U.S. government, and between 1998 and 2005 he testified several times before the U.S. Congress and other governments on biotechnology issues, saying he was “convinced that Russia’s biological weapons program has not been completely dismantled”. In 1994, Alibek received a congressional award, a bronze Barkley medal awarded in recognition of distinguished public service and his contribution to world peace.

In 2002, Alibek told United Press International that there is concern that monkeypox could be engineered into a biological weapon.

Ohio-based Locus Fermentation Solutions hired Alibek in 2015 as executive vice president for research and development of biologically active molecules for different applications.

Early life and education

Alibek was born Kanat Alibekov in Kauchuk, in the Kazakh SSR of the Soviet Union (present-day Kazakhstan), to a Kazakh family. He grew up in Almaty, the republic's former capital. He is a certified oncologist, a doctor of science, doctor of philosophy and a doctor of medicine.

Career

Alibek's academic performance while studying military medicine at the Tomsk Medical Institute and his family's noted patriotism led to his selection to work for Biopreparat, the secret biological weapons program overseen by the Soviet Union's Council of Ministers. His first assignment in 1975 was to the Eastern European Branch of the Institute of Applied Biochemistry (IAB) near Omutninsk, a combined pesticide production facility and reserve biological weapons production plant intended for activation in a time of war. At Omutninsk, Alibek mastered the art and science of formulating and evaluating nutrient media and cultivation conditions for the optimization of microbial growth. While there, he expanded his medical school laboratory skills into the complex skill set required for industrial-level production of microorganisms and their toxins.

After a year at Omutninsk, Alibek was transferred to the Siberian Branch of the IAB near Berdsk (another name of the branch was the Berdsk scientific and production base). With the assistance of a colleague, he designed and constructed a microbiology research and development laboratory that worked on techniques to optimize the production of biological formulations.

After several promotions, Alibek was transferred back to Omutninsk, where he rose to the position of deputy director. He was soon transferred to the Kazakhstan Scientific and Production Base in Stepnogorsk (another reserve BW facility) to become the new director of that facility. Officially, he was deputy director of the Progress Scientific and Production Association, a manufacturer of fertilizer and pesticide.

At Stepnogorsk, Alibek created an efficient industrial scale assembly line for biological formulations. In a time of war, the assembly line could be used to produce weaponized anthrax. Continued successes in science and biotechnology led to more promotions, which resulted in a transfer to Moscow.

Biopreparat

In Moscow, Alibek began his service as deputy chief of the biosafety directorate at Biopreparat. He was promoted in 1988 to first deputy director of Biopreparat, where he not only oversaw the biological weapons facilities but also the significant number of pharmaceutical facilities that produced antibiotics, vaccines, sera, and interferon for the public.

In response to a Spring 1990 announcement that the Ministry of Medical and Microbiological Industry was to be reorganized, Alibek drafted and forwarded a memo to then General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev proposing the cessation of Biopreparat's biological weapons work. Gorbachev approved the proposal, but an additional paragraph was secretly inserted into Alibek's draft, resulting in a presidential decree that ordered the end of Biopreparat's biological weapons work but also required them to remain prepared for future bioweapons production.

Alibek used his position at Biopreparat and the authority granted to him by the first part of the decree to begin the destruction of the biological weapons to dismantle biological weapons production and testing capabilities at a number of research and development facilities, including Stepnogorsk, Kol'tsovo, Obolensk, and others. He also negotiated a concurrent appointment to a Biopreparat facility called Biomash. Biomash designed and produced technical equipment for microbial cultivation and testing. He planned to increase the proportion of its products sent to hospitals and civilian medical laboratories beyond the 40% allocated at the time.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, Alibek was subsequently placed in charge of intensive preparations for inspections of Soviet biological facilities by a joint American and British delegation. But when he participated in the subsequent Soviet inspection of American facilities, his suspicion that the U.S. did not have an offensive bioweapons program was confirmed before his return to Russia. In January 1992, not long after his return from the U.S., Alibek protested against Russia's continuation of bioweapons work and resigned from both the Russian Army and Biopreparat.

Immigration to the United States

In October 1992, Alibek and his family emigrated to the United States. After moving to the U.S., Alibekov provided the government with a detailed accounting of the former Soviet biological weapons program. During a CIA debriefing, Alibek described the Soviet efforts to weaponize a particularly virulent smallpox strain, producing hundreds of tons of the virus that could be disseminated with bombs or ballistic missiles. Information about the Soviet biological weapons program had already been provided in 1989 by the defected scientist Vladimir Pasechnik.

Alibekov has testified before the U.S. Congress several times and has provided guidance to U.S. intelligence, policy, national security, and medical communities.

He was the impetus behind the creation of a biodefense graduate program at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, serving as Distinguished Professor of Medical Microbiology and the program's Director of Education. He also developed the plans for the university's biosafety level three (BSL-3) research facility and secured $40 million of grants from the federal and state governments for its construction.

From 1993 to 1999, Alibek took on multiple R&D roles, including a visiting scientist at the National Institute of Health, researching novel antigenic, potentially immunogenic substances for the development of tuberculosis vaccine; project manager at SRS Technologies where he researched, analyzed and developed detailed synthesis reports regarding the biotechnological of foreign countries; and program manager at Battelle Memorial Institute overseeing research projects in medical biotechnology, biosynthesis and fermentation equipment.

In 1999, Alibek published an autobiographical account of his work in the Soviet Union and his defection.

Reporting the prospect of Iraq gaining the ability to get hold of smallpox or anthrax, Alibek said, "there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction." However, no biological weapons were later found in Iraq.

Entrepreneur and research administrator

Alibek was president, chief scientific officer, and chief executive officer at AFG Biosolutions, Inc in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he and his scientific team continued their development of advanced solutions for antimicrobial immunity. Motivated by the lack of affordable anti-cancer therapies available in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, AFG was using Alibek's biotechnology experience to plan, build, and manage a new pharmaceutical production facility designed specifically to address this problem.

Alibek created a new pharmaceutical production company, MaxWell Biocorporation (MWB), in 2006 and served as its chief executive officer and president. Based in Washington, D.C., with several subsidiaries and affiliates in the U.S. and Ukraine, MWB's main stated goal is create a new, large-scale, high-technology, ultra-modern pharmaceutical fill-and-finish facility in Ukraine. Off-patent generic pharmaceuticals produced at this site are intended to target severe oncological, cardiological, immunological, and chronic infectious diseases.

Construction of the Boryspil facility began in April 2007 and was completed in March 2008; initial production was scheduled to begin in 2008. The stated intention was that high-quality pharmaceuticals would be produced and become an affordable source of therapy for millions of underprivileged who currently have no therapeutic options. Abilek stepped down as President of MWB in the summer of 2008 shortly after the facility opened.

Alibek's main research focus was developing novel forms of therapy for late-stage oncological diseases and other chronic degenerative pathologies and disorders. He focuses on the role of chronic viral and bacterial infections in causing age-related diseases and premature aging. Additionally, he develops and implements novel systemic immunotherapy methods for late-stage cancer patients.

Throughout his career, Alibek has published nine research articles on the role of infectious diseases in cancer.

Work in Kazakhstan

In 2010, Alibek was invited to begin working in Kazakhstan as a head of the Department of Chemistry and Biology at the School of Science and Technology of Nazarbayev University in Astana, where he was engaged in the development of anti-cancer drugs and life-prolonging drugs, and was chairman of the board of the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency Medical Care and headed the National Scientific Center for Oncology and Transplantation. During his stay, he published a number of articles in research journals and taught various courses in various fields of biology and medicine. He focused on a possible role of chronic infections, metabolic disorders, and immunosuppression on cancer development. In 2011, he was awarded a prize from the Deputy Prime Minister for his contribution to the development of the educational system in Kazakhstan. In 2014, he was awarded a medal by the Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan for his contribution to research in Kazakhstan. He continues his work as an administrative manager of a research and medicine and education professor.

However, after seven years, no significant scientific results from Alibek's work developed. During these seven years, Alibek received more than 1 billion Tenge from the budget for "New Systemic Therapy for Cancer Tumors" project he tried to implement. The promising Swedish technique has remained a common concept, a panacea for cancer treatment has not appeared. Three submitted Alibekov patent applications for registration were rejected by the National Institute of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan since there was no novelty.

In 2016, Alibek was chosen as one of the nominees in the "Science" category of the national project El Tulgasy, which was designed to select the most significant citizens of Kazakhstan who are associated with national achievements. More than 350,000 people voted in this project, and Alibek was voted 10th place in his category.

COVID-19

Alibek has experience in vaccine development for pandemics. In 2006, his article on new principles for developing these vaccines was published in Future Medicine.

In January 2020, Alibek issued a warning about COVID-19 and its potential as a global problem. His research on safe methods of protection against the virus ahead of a vaccine was later published in the journal Research Ideas and Outcomes (RIO). He also wrote two chapters on methods to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic in the book Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons.

In 2021, Alibek offered a free seminar on the antiviral biodefence in the world of epidemic uncertainties.

Autism research

Starting in 2007, Alibek began researching autism based on his background as a board-certified oncologist and his own personal connection to the disorder through his daughter, Mary. He supports the idea that the disorder is the result of prenatal viral and bacterial infections. Multiple studies have been conducted with patients that have autism spectrum disorder, including a 2018-2019 study with 57 patients, a 2021-2023 study with 142 patients and a 2023 study with 32 patients. In addition, more than 1,000 children have been treated using the protocol. His patients are located predominantly in nations in the former Soviet Union and Ukraine, and he consults mainly using free telemedicine services. During these studies, specific inflammation markers along with biochemical and neuropsychiatric parameters were identified as an objective measure of improvement in and a reduction of symptoms. Alibek has published 6 studies in peer-reviewed journals about the causes and treatment of Autism, and has one issued U.S. patent and three U.S. patent filings on his novel approach to treatment.

Criticism

In a September 2003 news release, Alibek and another professor suggested, based on their laboratory research, that the smallpox vaccination might increase a person's resistance to HIV. The work was rejected after peer review by the Journal of the American Medical Association and The Lancet and is no longer being pursued. According to smallpox expert and former White House science advisor Donald Henderson, "This is a theory that... does not hold up at all, and it does not make any sense from a biologic point of view...This idea...was straight off the wall. I would put no credence in it at all." In 2010, an article coauthored by Alibek appeared in Biomed Central - Immunology, a scientific journal, that outlined the results of their research showing that prior immunization with the vaccine Dryvax may confer resistance to HIV replication.

Alibek also has promoted "Dr. Ken Alibek's Immune System Support Formula," a dietary supplement sold over the Internet. It contains vitamins, minerals, and a proprietary bacterial mix that will purportedly "bolster the immune system".

Personal life

Alibek has a wife and five children (two sons and three daughters); one of his daughters is autistic.

Publications

Books

References

Kazakh: Қанатжан Байзақұлы Әлібеков, romanized: Qanatjan Baizaqūly Älıbekov; Russian: Канатжан Байзакович Алибеков, romanized: Kanatzhan Baizakovich Alibekov
Kazakh: Кеннет (Кен) Әлібек, romanized: Kennet (Ken) Älıbek; Russian: Кеннет (Кен) Алибек, romanized: Kennet (Ken) Alibek
^ Courtney-Guy, Sam (2022-05-20). "Russia 'planned to use monkeypox as a bioweapon', report warned". Metro. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
^ Jacobsen, Annie (2015), The Pentagon's Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America's Top Secret Military Research Agency; New York: Little, Brown and Company, pg 293.
Willman, David (2007), "Selling the Threat of Bioterrorism", The Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2007.
Brian Albrecht, The Plain Dealer (2019-09-08). "Scientist who supervised Soviet biological weapons production now develops products to help people". cleveland. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
Biology of Cancer, Astana, 2012
Medical and Industrial Biotechnology, Moscow, 1990
Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Moscow, 1984
Military Medicine,Tomsk (Russia), 1975
Anderson, D. (2006), Lessons Learned from the Former Soviet Biological Warfare Program; UMI Dissertation Services, UMI NO. 3231331
^ Anderson (2006), Op. cit.
Flight, Colette (2011-02-17). "Silent Weapon: Smallpox and Biological Warfare". BBC History. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
Alibek, Ken and Stephen Handelman (1999), Biohazard: The Chilling True Story of the Largest Covert Biological Weapons Program in the World – Told from Inside by the Man Who Ran It, Delta (2000) ISBN 0-385-33496-6
"afgbio.com". www.afgbio.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
^ MaxwellUSA Archived 2010-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
"Infectious Agents and Cancer".
Капитанова, Ирина (2018-02-21). "Чем занимался подозреваемый в пособничеству Аблязову Кеннет Алибек после эмиграции в США". zakon.kz (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-17.
"ЕЛ ТҰЛҒАСЫ / ИМЯ РОДИНЫ / События / Разделы сайта / Деловой журнал Exclusive". 2017-03-21. Archived from the original on 2017-03-21. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
Richards, Dan; Alibek, Kenneth; Katze, Michael G.; Wainberg, Mark A.; Webby, Richard J. (2006). "Controversies in 21st century virology". Future Virology. 1 (3): 263–268. doi:10.2217/17460794.1.3.263.
"Pandemic expert thinks coronavirus echoes SARS in many ways". Fox Business. 30 January 2020.
Alibek, Kenneth; Tskhay, Albina (2020). "Ahead of a vaccine: A safe method of protection against COVID-19 exists". Research Ideas and Outcomes. 6. doi:10.3897/rio.6.e61709.
Defending Against Biothreats: What We Can Learn from the Coronavirus Pandemic to Enhance U.S. Defenses Against Pandemics and Biological Weapons. Independently published. 7 July 2020. ISBN 979-8-6643-8044-6.
"Free seminar: Antiviral biodefence in the world of epidemic uncertainties | OSDIFE". 4 May 2021.
Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A, Isakov T (2019) Etiotropic and Pathogenetic Therapy of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Case Series of 6 Children. J Neurol Psychiatr Disord 1(1): 105; Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A and Isakov T (2019) Prevalence of Prenatal, Neonatal and Postnatal Complications among Healthy Children and Children Diagnosed with ASD in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. J Gynecol Neonatal 2(1): 103; Kenneth Alibek, Sean Farmer, Albina Tskhay, Alibek Moldakozhayev and Kira Alibek., et al (2019) Tendencies in Changes of Blood Parameters and in Autistic Symptoms Improvements as a Result of Antiviral Treatment: Descriptive Case Series of 11 Children from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. J Clin Case Rep Clin Res 1(1): 102; Kenneth Alibek, Sean Farmer, Albina Tskhay, Alibek Moldakozhayev and Kira Alibek., et al (2019) The Role of Infection, Inflammation and Genetic Alterations in ASD Etiopathogenesis: A Review. J Neurol Psychiatr Disord 2(1): 105; Alibek K, Farmer S, Tskhay A, Moldakozhayev A, Isakov T (2019) Treatment of Chronic and Latent Infections Combined with Nutritional Supplementation Positively Affects Quality of Life of ASD Children: Series of 30 Cases. J Nutr Diet Suppl 3(1): 102; Alibek K, Niyazmetova L, Farmer S, Isakov T (2022) Persistent Inflammation Initiated by TORCH Infections and Dysbiotic Microbiome in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Prospect for Future Interventions. Research Ideas and Outcomes 8: e91179.
Willman, David (2007-07-01). "Selling the threat of bioterrorism". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
""Random Samples", Science, 11 October 2002: Vol. 298. no. 5592, p. 359". Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2013.

External links

Appearances on C-SPAN

v t e Soviet program of biological weapons
Weaponized agents	Smallpox ANTHRAX Plague Botulism Brucellosis Glanders Q SEB Tularemia VEE MARV Red rust Rice blast Polonia
Researched agents	AHF AVIAN BHF CHIKV CCHF DENGUE EEE FMDV Hantavirus Lassa fever Melioidosis VND Plague Potato blight Penicillium Psittacosis Ricin RVF Rinderpest Typhus WEE Yellow fever ZIKV
Operations and projects	Project Bonfire Project Factor Kamera Ekologiya
Facilities and test sites	BIOPREPARAT SNOPB VECTOR Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Hygiene in Kirov Laboratory B Berdsk Zagorsk-6 BIOSINTZ Sverdlovsk-19 [ru] Aralsk-7 Institute of Virus Preparations Laboratory No. 1 Volsk-1
Administrators	Lavrentiy Beria Yakov Fishman
Scientists	Kanatjan Alibekov Hans Born Pyotr Burgasov [ru] Alexander Catsch Igor Domaradsky [ru] Elena Fidler Yuri Ovchinnikov Vladimir Pasechnik Sergei Popov Nikolay Ressovsky Nikolai Ustinov Ivan Velikanov Marina Voroshilova Zinaida Yermolyeva
Accidents	Sverdlovsk anthrax leak Aral smallpox incident Aral ecological collapse
Related topics	Biological agent Biological warfare (BW) Biological Weapons Convention Entomological warfare U.S. biological weapons program History of biological warfare Sanitary epidemiological reconnaissance

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