RBT (BioTechnology Developments), a subsidiary of the Artgen Biotech Group (MOEX: ABIO), participated in the first International Forum “BIOPROM: Industry and Technologies for People,” which attracted over 3,500 attendees.
The highlight of BIOPROM 2024 was the announcement of a new national project focused on the development of the bioeconomy. According to Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, a dedicated national project for the bioeconomy is in the works. “It was initiated by a presidential decree, and its implementation is set to begin next April. The government is currently in an active phase of preparing this strategic document. This is a comprehensive initiative that will also encompass biotechnology,” he stated.
RBT’s CEO, Igor Krasilnikov, delivered a presentation at the session titled “Applied Developments for Bioeconomy Advancement: New Approaches and Presentation of the Scientific Program of the Research and Technology Center for Bioeconomics and Biotechnology.” He highlighted the lack of a “bridge between science and business” in the country. According to him, the absence of contract manufacturing facilities and infrastructure means that many promising developments fail to reach the market. Small biotech companies often have no options for producing drugs for preclinical and clinical trials, forcing them to establish their own production facilities. However, the regulatory requirements for such facilities are as stringent as those for large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers. As a result, the cost of setting up and maintaining these facilities can be dozens of times higher than the cost of developing the drug itself.
RBT is a resident of Skolkovo and Technopark Medtech. Its shares are available for trading on the Moscow Exchange’s Over-The-Counter (OTC) market under the ticker symbol RBTY.
With the support of its industrial partner, Artgen Biotech, and its ecosystem, RBT is advancing a platform for the development of effective vaccines based on surface antigens and a proprietary corpuscular adjuvant. Previously, this platform was used to develop a coronavirus vaccine (Betuvax-Cov-2), an influenza vaccine (TetraFluBET), and a pentavalent combination vaccine against both influenza and coronavirus, developed in collaboration with the Nacimbio pharmaceutical holding. RBT’s technological platform reduces vaccine reactogenicity and minimizes post-vaccination side effects while maintaining high levels of protective efficacy. The company’s pipeline also includes vaccine candidates targeting a wide range of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), human papillomavirus (HPV), and tuberculosis.
In October 2024, the Artgen Biotech Group announced plans to invest in the development of the production component of RBT’s platform. Thanks to this investment, RBT will gain control over a pilot production facility in Perm Krai, where it will produce the core component of the vaccine platform: an adjuvant in the form of virus-like particles manufactured using a patented technology based on betulin, an organic compound. The facility will also be used to refine quality control methods and production technologies for new vaccine formulations.
The first International Forum “BIOPROM: Industry and Technologies for People” was held from October 7 to 8 in Gelendzhik, bringing together representatives from approximately 150 Russian companies. The large-scale event was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, and the administration of Krasnodar Krai. The forum’s business program featured over 30 sessions covering a wide range of topics, from the development of innovative domestic drugs and challenges in commercializing biotech research to the future of biotechnology in Russia and the training of new professionals.