Bioprom Forum: Reshaping Russia's Bioeconomy and its Impact on BRICS+ Business

The Bioprom Forum in Gelendzhik has become a platform for aligning state policy and industry. The President sent a welcoming address emphasizing the new national project "Technological Support for the Bioeconomy." Companies presented ready-made solutions, from oncology scanners to rehabilitation prosthetics, as reported by Channel One. The financial and organizational framework is outlined: the national project will be introduced in November, with funding already allocated in the 2026–2028 budget, according to the explanatory note and statement by Denis Manturov, PRIME.

Key Decisions and Timelines Announced at Bioprom?

The timeline is both short and long-term: the bioeconomy strategy will be finalized in November 2025. By November of the current year, the relevant national project will be submitted to the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Strategic Development, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov in Rossiyskaya Gazeta and stated at the forum's plenary session, PRIME.

The financial framework is set: 754 million rubles in 2026, 2.1 billion rubles in 2027, and 2.2 billion rubles in 2028. The national project includes three basic federal projects and targets bioeconomy product consumption exceeding 1 trillion rubles by 2036, according to documents and statements, PRIME.

Supporting infrastructure has been identified: 47 institutes conduct relevant research, and 89 universities train personnel. A network of engineering centers is planned, with an emphasis on rapid implementation of developments, as clarified by OleoScope, referencing Manturov's speech, and confirmed by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Essentially, the state is setting the industry's architecture: from strategy and funding to production centers and personnel.

What Does This Mean for International BRICS+ Cooperation Currently?

Cooperation is not only declared but also institutionalized. Russia is open to joint projects with foreign partners and holds an active position within BRICS and G20 platforms, as noted Manturov, TASS. The participation of representatives from India (Aparna Sharma) and China (Hualan) in the strategic session confirms the working agenda with BRICS+ partners, as reported by Kuban News.

Furthermore, the industrial showcase is ready for cooperation. "Rostec" presented about 30 developments, ranging from an MRI-compatible pacemaker to a mobile ventilator and solutions for prosthetics and rehabilitation, reported Channel One.

This signals to BRICS+ companies that entry is possible through joint R&D, equipment localization, and contract manufacturing based on identified priorities.

What Systemic Consequences Are Expected for the Industry and Import Substitution?

The shift is from import substitution "by nomenclature" towards independent infrastructure. This includes unification and promotion of mass-produced laboratory equipment (bioreactors, sequencers, centrifuges) and the formation of a complete technological cycle, as noted in an industry analysis by OleoScope and added by Manturov, TASS.

The global standard is set high: over 50 countries have already adopted bioeconomy strategies. Russia is preparing its own strategy until 2035 and beyond to 2050, according to an official release, Government of the Russian Federation.

"The development of life sciences and related applied fields largely determines people's health and their environmental well-being. It is important that the new national project 'Technological Support for the Bioeconomy' is focused on addressing these large-scale, pressing challenges."

This thesis is contained in the President's congratulatory address to the forum participants, as indicated in the Russian Government's release.

As a result, the bioindustry receives a clear "roadmap": equipment + personnel + engineering as the foundation, with R&D and ventures as accelerators.

What Are the Near-Term Tactical Opportunities and Risks for BRICS+ Companies?

In brief, priority niches include biopharmaceuticals and biomedicine, agri- and industrial biotechnology, organic cosmetics, forest genetic resources, as well as mass laboratory equipment and engineering, as listed Manturov (TASS) and described by OleoScope regarding the focus on equipment.

• Joint R&D and pilots with the "Kurchatov Institute" and specialized universities (47 institutes, engineering centers) – the institutional base is already established, as reported by Manturov, Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
• Supply and localization of mass laboratory equipment (bioreactors, sequencers, centrifuges) – an opportunity for cooperation and licensing, leveraging the national project's priorities.
• Medical technology and rehabilitation: serial products for ventilators, MRI-compatible implants, prosthetics, and rehabilitation aids – a ready field for contract manufacturing and service models, reported Channel One.
• Cosmetics and nutraceuticals: regional clusters are already launching products based on extracts (wine, algae, medicinal herbs), and "comenic acid" for tissue regeneration has been presented for the first time and is not yet produced in Russia – a niche for accelerated localization, reported by Kuban News.
• Participation in the three federal projects of the national project (production and sales, scientific and technological support, analytics/methodology/personnel) – a formalized route for projects at different life cycle stages.

Risks and limitations should be considered in advance. Funding for 2026–2028 has a phased dynamic (754 million → 2.1 billion → 2.2 billion rubles), meaning competition for resources and project performance requirements will be high, according to the explanatory note, PRIME. Simultaneously, adaptation of national regulations for new technologies (molecular/gene engineering, AI, big data) will be necessary, which is directly identified as a government task, as emphasized by Manturov, Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The outcome for BRICS+ decision-makers is clear: an window of opportunity has opened in three areas – joint R&D with access to Russian infrastructure, localization of critical equipment and serial medical technology, and participation in the national project's federal frameworks. Action should be taken now, before the strategy is approved in 2025, to secure positions in the first funding and cooperation streams.