This pharmaceutical product will be the nation’s inaugural biosimilar of cetuximab. Clinical trial outcomes affirm its efficacy is no less than that of the reference product, alongside a comparable safety profile.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in the capital are ramping up production of oncology drugs. The “Sputnik Technopolis” facility, part of the “R-Pharm” group and a resident of the “Technopolis Moscow” Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is scheduled to commence manufacturing a biopharmaceutical for treating severe forms of oncological diseases affecting the head, neck, and intestines by the end of May 2026. This information was provided by Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.
“Acting on the directive from Sergey Sobyanin, the city is actively supporting the expansion of the pharmaceutical sector. The implemented support mechanisms enable enterprises to adopt novel technologies and boost capacity for supplying the most sought-after market items. In 2025, Moscow saw a 10.7 percent increase in the output of anti-cancer drugs and immunomodulators compared to the previous year. This sector’s development is ongoing. Specifically, before the end of spring, a resident of the ‘Technopolis Moscow’ SEZ will initiate the full production cycle for a biopharmaceutical targeting severe malignancies, which includes developing its own active substance,” stated Maxim Liksutov.
Photo: Press service of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of the City of Moscow
Photo: Press service of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of the City of Moscow
The targeted therapy is indicated for locally advanced metastatic head and neck cancer, as well as metastatic colorectal cancer. It falls under the category of monoclonal antibodies. These biomolecules identify and obstruct a protein on the surface of tumor cells that is responsible for their growth, thereby halting tumor progression.
This medicine marks the country’s first biosimilar to cetuximab. Earlier this year, it secured a registration certificate from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. The results from clinical investigations confirm that its effectiveness is equivalent to the original drug, and its safety profile is comparable.
“The medication is intended for treating aggressive, complicated tumors of the colon, head, and neck—the healthcare system’s demand for modern therapy for patients with such conditions is particularly high. The production methodology was devised right here, within the plant’s scientific research center. Thanks to the presence of a pilot-scale industrial area, we were able to rapidly transition the product to full-scale manufacturing capabilities and are prepared to fully meet patient needs,” commented Stanislav Chugreev, the plant’s General Director.
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