Biotechnology is considered a top priority in Russia’s economic modernization plan. Both the Russian government and private industry have recognized the need to improve the legal and economic environment for the biotechnology industry. To improve coordination between the public and private sectors, the Russian state has launched a national program entitled “Biotechnological Development in Russia in 2006 – 2015.” Russia has focused on establishing special economic zones for innovative biotechnology, as well as the creation of biotechnoparks. Development of state programs for bio-safety, nanotechnology, and biotechnology have also evolved including regional biotechnology programs in Moscow, Saratov, Tomsk, Kirov. Active research is carried out in such areas as bio-safety, bio-security, biodiversity, renewables, biocatalysis, bio-nanotechnology and systems biology. Annual volume of biotech investments in 2007 will increase more than 2 times in comparison with 2006.
Historically, Russia has had a well-developed biology and biotechnology industry and is currently a leading producer of many biotechnology items including immunobiological medications, veterinary products, and environmental protection technology. Russia has been experiencing significant growth in the field of analytical instrument manufacturing and increasing demand for its advanced technical skills. As global concern for bio-safety and for the preservation of biodiversity has increased, there has been a greater demand for Russian expertise in cell technologies, bioinformatics, post-genome technologies (proteomics, metabolomics), and nanotechnologies.
Russia provides significant opportunities in the fields of manufacturing, research and development, and in innovative biotechnologies. Russian specialists in the physicochemical biology and biotechnology industries are extremely well qualified and over 1,000 Russian institutions and organizations conduct research in these areas.
Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council is serving as the official organizer for Russian participation to BIO since 2005 as part of MARBC’s undertaking to build a bridge between the Russian and American biotechnology communities. The Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council (MARBC) continues its efforts to make the Mid-Atlantic region a center of Russian-American biotechnological cooperation, and will host the 6th Semi-Annual Biotechnological Russian-American Innovation Technology Week. RANIT-BIO will begin in Philadelphia on May 1-4, 2007 and will conclude with BIO 2007 in Boston on May 6-9, 2007 with an extensive Russian program. During the first day of BIO, MARBC will conduct a Country Seminar on Russia and a presentation of the Russian biotechnology industry.
The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) will be playing its traditional role to bring additional Russian participation into BIO. Nearly 70,000 participants from almost 1000 institutions have engaged in international collaboration projects funded through the ISTC. Today, ISTC provides unique R&D networking opportunities and mechanisms for partnerships with Russian/CIS scientists.
Possible areas of interest for biotech and pharma companies involve the following topics:
Major driving forces in Russia’s biotech activity include Biotechnology Associations like Russian Society of Biotechnologist and Russian Bioindustry Union as well as regional governments. The tendency to establish bioregions in Russia can be strengthened through international cooperation with related bioregions in Europe, North America, and East Asia.
Contact: Val Kogan, President
Mid-Atlantic – Russia Business Council (MARBC)
Tel: (215) 708-2628, (484) 467-7444(cell)