AI Lab in Tomsk to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Chemical Innovation
Russia launches a specialized AI laboratory in Tomsk to boost pharmaceutical and chemical production, aiming to strengthen national tech sovereignty and compete globally.
Where Science Meets Technology
On July 9, 2025, a unique AI laboratory for chemistry and molecular engineering officially began operating at the Engineering Chemical Technology Center (ECTC) in Tomsk. The project is the result of collaboration between Tomsk State University and the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (AIRI).
The lab will focus on developing advanced AI tools for the creation of new materials and pharmaceuticals. This includes modeling the physicochemical properties of new compounds, analyzing quantum behavior in atomic and molecular physics, and applying cheminformatics and bioinformatics on the molecular and cellular levels.
The lab will also produce digital assistants and decision support systems tailored for the chemical industry, using proprietary AI systems already implemented at small-batch production facilities—a first for Russia.
National, Regional, and Global Significance
The new lab holds strong implications for Tomsk and the wider region. It’s expected to strengthen high-tech manufacturing, attract investment, and create highly skilled jobs.
For Russia, it’s another strategic building block in its IT sovereignty strategy. Amid sanctions and import substitution efforts, the lab develops AI-based tools that can both replace foreign solutions and enter global markets.
Globally, it contributes to the development of AI-driven pharmaceuticals and advanced materials, meeting demand from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East where interest in Russian scientific platforms is growing.
Infrastructure and Economic Potential
The results of this lab could directly improve the lives of millions. Faster drug development, safer chemical production, and broader availability of critical compounds will all contribute to public health and industrial strength.
Researchers will work with the Cyberia supercomputer and state-of-the-art ECTC facilities, enabling high-precision modeling and reducing human error. These assets will speed up research cycles and increase product quality.
Domestically, the lab will support Russian pharmaceutical and chemical enterprises with digital assistants, decision-support platforms, and scalable production systems—from sodium tartrate to complex medical compounds.
Strategic Roadmap and First Results
The lab's launch is the result of a well-coordinated scientific and industrial strategy developed in Tomsk over several years.
Starting in 2019, a key partnership between Tomsk State University and the ECTC laid the groundwork. In 2020, the first pilot AI projects in small-batch chemistry were launched. By 2021, startups emerged at the intersection of chemistry and digital technologies. In 2022, the Cyberia supercomputer provided the necessary computational power for big data and quantum modeling.
The culmination came in 2025, when the lab opened as the mature outcome of a multi-year innovation ecosystem. Experts believe that within the next 2–3 years, the lab will produce its first AI-designed drugs or materials—laying the foundation for both public and private investments and expanding Russia’s position in the global pharma-tech sector.
