Sechenov University and Rostec signed an agreement on strategic partnership in the field of medical device engineering

I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and Rostec State Corporation signed an agreement on joint development of new medical equipment and training of personnel for medical instrumentation. The signing ceremony took place on November 20 within the framework of the meeting "Prioritization of tasks of scientific and technological cooperation to achieve technological leadership" with participation of Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec State Corporation, heads of the corporation's holdings and rectors of leading Russian universities. On the part of Sechenov University, the agreement was signed by the Rector of the First Moscow State Medical University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pyotr Glybochko, and on the part of Rostec, by Sergey Chemezov.

The purpose of the agreement signed between Sechenov University and Rostec State Corporation is to establish and develop partnership relations for the formation of advanced scientific and technical reserve, development of high-tech technologies in the field of medical instrumentation, as well as training of highly qualified personnel for industrial enterprises, including within the framework of the federal project "Advanced Engineering Schools". The main areas of cooperation include joint research and development work to create new medical equipment and innovative medical products, materials and production technologies for the healthcare system, including in the field of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence.

The cooperation between the First Moscow State Medical University and Rostec is also aimed at sharing experience in biopharmaceuticals and biomedical technologies, improving targeted education and training programs for medical engineers for high-tech companies, and improving the system of internships and traineeships in the corporation's organizations.

As Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, noted at the agreement signing ceremony, many Russian universities and institutes have high scientific expertise in the areas relevant to the state corporation, so the state corporation attaches great importance to cooperation with them in R&D. For example, last year Rostec's investments in joint developments with universities exceeded 14 billion rubles.

"I believe that scientific and production cooperation should be strengthened and brought to a new level. To create together products, innovations necessary for the state, different sectors of the economy and citizens of our country," he emphasized.

Today Sechenov University and Rostec State Corporation are already partners realizing joint projects, noted Pyotr Glybochko, Rector of the First Moscow State Medical University. For example, together with the holding company "Shvabe", which is part of the state corporation, the university plans to launch production of the first batch of wearable device for long-term ECG monitoring "Rythm-1" in 2025. The miniature device attaches to the patient's chest and can continuously record electrocardiograms for two weeks or more. The results of such monitoring make it possible to detect various cardiac pathologies, including all kinds of heart rhythm and conduction disorders, as well as to track the dynamics of the effectiveness of drug therapy.

Joint clinical trials of the HIFU ultrasound ablation device designed for the treatment of cancer patients are also planned with Shvabe. Together with JSC United Instrument Corporation, an agreement was signed on a joint program in cardiology and oncology. From the beginning of 2025, the partners will start joint development of products in these areas. It is about the development of a device for microwave therapy in oncology, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and a miniaturized assisted circulation device. The parties will also cooperate in the educational sphere. Starting from 2025, Sechenov University is considering the possibility of participating in the educational and professional track "Rostec. Biotechmed" within the framework of the program for training highly qualified specialists for the medical device industry. The advantage of this track is that students will start working at Rostec enterprises from their early years. Additionally, options are being worked out for implementing VET programs for employees of the corporation and its organizations.

"The signing of the agreement with Rostec is a historic event for Sechenov University. After all, the First Moscow State Medical University is not only a leading medical university today. We realize engineering training directions as well. Our Advanced Engineering School trains medical engineers - specialists who develop new medical equipment and medical products for practical healthcare. We provide training in 12 areas, and about 500 students study at the Advanced Engineering School. In addition, the university has its own clinical center - a leader in the development and implementation of new methods of high-tech medical care. The inclusion of Sechenov University in the number of core universities of the state corporation in the field of medical instrumentation will allow us to unite our efforts to develop new medical equipment and train highly qualified personnel for the industry," concluded the rector.