Vladimir Putin has approved a list of directives following the plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum held in February. Some of the directives concern biological safety, the development of the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare. The government is to approve a long‑term bioeconomy strategy for Russia through 2036 and beyond, and align strategic planning documents accordingly, including those in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
To implement the strategy, the government must by June 15 develop and adopt a package of support measures for bioeconomy projects at all stages – from research to finished product. The tools include tax and non‑tax incentives. Progress reports will be required annually.
A separate set of directives concerns the national project “Technological Support for Bioeconomy”. The government is instructed to gradually increase its funding, as well as resources for related programmes – exports of biotech products, development of critical technologies and workforce training. The main focus is on non‑budgetary sources.
In addition, Putin ordered the creation of an interdepartmental working group to coordinate the development and use of nuclear technologies in medicine. Its members will include representatives of the Health Ministry, Industry and Trade Ministry, Education and Science Ministry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute.
In 2026, a competitive selection will be held for grants in memory of Academician Evgeny Velikhov to create new solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare and other sectors using bioinformatics and artificial intelligence.
By July 1, the government must assess staffing for projects and, if necessary, increase budget admission targets to universities and colleges in relevant fields. It is also ordered to update federal educational standards and curricula, emphasising interdisciplinary training and AI integration. Career guidance for schoolchildren in biotechnology should also be strengthened.
By June 15, the government will submit a package of regulatory proposals. These include protection of the domestic biotech market, safety and quality requirements, a circulation control system, and updating statistical classifiers. Experimental legal regimes are to be developed at Sirius and in innovation centres.
Bioeconomy is the economy of renewable use of natural resources in the production of food, energy, goods and services. In 2024, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced the launch of a national project of the same name aimed at achieving technological independence.