Biotechnology in Russia

Healthcare in Russia

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Chronicle

2025

The volume of the Russian biotechnology market for the year reached 475 billion rubles

In 2025, the total turnover of the Russian biotechnology market reached 475 billion rubles, which is twice the level of 2015. Key market segments, which include medical, industrial and agricultural biotechnologies, account for 83%. These are the results of a study by Resource Monitoring, published on the RBC Research Store website on January 14, 2026.

The share of products that replaced imports in certain segments increased to 40-50% against 15-20% at the beginning of the decade. The growth is provided by state support, the export of biopharmaceuticals (supplies to India, Argentina, China, Belarus, Brazil) and import substitution processes against the background of sanctions restrictions.

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Фото: Freepik

The market is structured into three main segments:

1. Medical biotechnology is the largest segment with a share of 58-60%. The level of import dependence is estimated at 50-60%. Investment in research and development (R&D) among leaders can reach 20% of revenue. Within the segment, the biosimilars (original drug copies) market is saturated, and niches of innovative drugs, gene and cell therapies have high growth potential. Key players: Biocad, Natsimbio, Generium, Artgen Biotech, R-Pharm, Nanolek, Farmasintez, Geropharm.
2. Industrial biotechnology is the least developed segment with a share of 8-10%. It maintains a high import dependency. Internal processing of biomass remains superficial, and exports are concentrated on low-margin solid biofuels (pellets) rather than deep-processing products. Main areas: food biotechnology, industrial enzymes, biorefining (biomass processing). Leading companies: Sibbiopharm, Agroferment, Endocrine Enzyme Plant, Segezha Group, VLP, Cargill.
3. Agricultural biotechnologies - the segment showed an increase from 71.4 billion rubles in 2024 to 80.7 billion rubles in 2025. The main drivers were the production of feed additives and veterinary drugs (immunobiology).

Despite progress in import substitution, Russian companies are still poorly represented in global markets, even in promising niches. The transition to sustainable global competitiveness requires comprehensive support for innovation, integration into international scientific networks and the development of competencies for the commercialization of technologies.^[1]

The Government of the Russian Federation approved the program of the center of genetic resources of microorganisms

The Russian government has approved a strategy for the development of the genetics of microorganisms, which will become the basis for the use of biological technologies, including in the production of biofuels. The document was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin at the end of August 2025.

As reported by "," RIA Novosti the program was developed on the basis of the presidential decree Russia Vladimir Putin of October 25, 2024 No. 913 "On the National Center for Genetic Resources of Microorganisms." In accordance with the order, the implementation is designed for 2025-2031 and covers the creation of a scientific infrastructure, the formation of a database of valuable samples and the involvement of researchers in new projects.

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Фото: Unsplash

The document defines key tasks: the formation of conditions for the effective use of genetic resources of microorganisms, the development of biotechnology and human resources, as well as the creation of a technological base, including specialized laboratories. It is planned to allocate more than ₽9 billion for the implementation of the program, which will support research and the implementation of advanced solutions in the field of bioeconomics.

One of the central directions will be the creation of a national catalog of samples of genetic resources of microorganisms. It will include collections that have already been collected by scientific centers and universities in Russia. The catalog will also be updated with new samples, which will ensure system accounting and data availability for researchers.

According to the project, the samples will be grouped into five sections:

• bacteria and bacteriophages;
• mycelial fungi, including yeast cultures;
• microalgae;
• mammalian and plant cell lines;
• microbial associations.

The development of the direction, as indicated in the document, will increase the efficiency of scientific work and ensure the practical use of microorganisms in the production of renewable fuel. The program also aims to support young professionals and attract researchers in the field of genetics, which should contribute to the formation of a talent pool in promising sectors of the economy.^[2]

Why scaling in biotech and medtech is an engineering, not a medical, challenge

Masis Vardanyan shared his opinion on why scaling in biotech and medtech is an engineering, not a medical, task. According to the expert, in biotech and medtech, the product never exists on its own. Unlike SaaS or consumer IT, it is impossible to separate the technology from the context of its application. Any solution - whether a medical device, algorithm or platform - is embedded in a complex ecosystem that includes clinical processes, regulatory requirements, existing IT infrastructure and the human factor. Read more here.

2024: The volume of the Russian biotechnology market reached 440 billion rubles

At the end of 2024, the volume of the Russian biotechnology market amounted to about 440 billion rubles. Activities in this area are conducted by 226 domestic enterprises. Such data in early October 2025 was published by the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov.

According to him, Russian biotechnological enterprises cover almost all the necessary industries and areas. At the same time, in terms of the number of players in the market under consideration, Russia lags behind countries such as China and the United States, where there are more than 900 and 2.8 thousand biotechnology companies, respectively.

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Фото: Freepik

This once again shows the need to expand scientific activity, scale up production. Our main advantage is that we are the world's largest biomass generators: agricultural raw materials, forests - about 20% of the world's reserves - water resources, aquaculture, - notes Alikhanov.

According to BusinesStat, the turnover of the biotechnology market in Russia is steadily growing. In particular, during 2018-2022, it increased by 35%. The main stimulating factor was the increase in prices for products in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as against the backdrop of sanctions in 2022. The maximum market growth was observed in 2021, when the indicator increased immediately by 15%. This was primarily facilitated by an increase in demand for medical and biopharmaceutical products: due to the high incidence of coronavirus, the need for vaccines, drugs and diagnostic reagents has increased.

According to BusinesStat, in 2024, the turnover of the biotechnology market in medicine and biopharmaceuticals in Russia increased by 9% - to 311 billion rubles. The main drivers of the sector are state support for import substitution programs for biotechnological products, the construction of new plants and the expansion of production capacities, as well as the localization of the production of imported drugs in the Russian Federation.^[3]

2023: The volume of the Russian biotechnology market reached ₽300 billion in a year

The volume of the Russian biotechnology market in 2023 amounted to ₽300 billion. This information was announced in early October 2024.

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, citing this data, announced the upcoming launch of a new national project dedicated to the development of bioeconomics. The project will begin in April 2025, and the government is already actively working on the preparation of an appropriate strategic document.

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Фото: Freepik

According to Manturov, more than 1000 companies specializing in the development of biotechnology operate in Russia. This indicates the significant potential of the industry and its growing role in the country's economy.

Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Anton Alikhanov emphasized the intersectoral nature of biotechnology. He noted that even a small nomenclature of biotechnological products or raw materials is able to meet the key needs of many industries.

As an example, Alikhanov cited ascorbic and citric acids, which are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry, cosmetics, household chemicals and oil production. Enzymes are used in the food and leather industries, medicine, agriculture, analytical chemistry and genetic engineering.

The minister also noted Russia's unique capabilities in the field of the raw material base for biotechnology. Unlike many countries that use soybeans for protein synthesis, Russia can use cellulose-containing materials such as wood waste, sunflower husks, corn cob rods, peat and cotton husks.

Denis Manturov cited an example of the innovative use of biotechnology - the production of ethyl alcohol from sawdust. In addition, he noted the active development of biotechnology in agriculture in the production of feed additives and enzymes, as well as in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and the production of vaccines.^[4]

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