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In 2025, scientists at the Federal Center for Animal Health (the FGBI "ARRIAH") undertook significant tasks in implementing research projects, creating and introducing modern means of animal disease prevention and diagnosis, preparing methodological documents, expanding the patent portfolio, and developing international cooperation.

One of the key achievements of the Center this year was the development of new vaccines. By mid-December, the FGBI "ARRIAH had received marketing authorizations for 13 new vaccines to protect fish, poultry, pet animals and livestock animals against various diseases.

Among the most significant developments is the world's first vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza for fur animals, cats, and dogs. The necessity for its creation was driven by the widespread circulation of H5N1 in mammals in many countries worldwide. Another important milestone was the receiving of the marketing authorization for the first domestic vaccine for salmonid fish, designed to prevent infectious pancreatic necrosis, furunculosis, vibriosis, cold-water vibriosis, and winter ulcer disease – diseases that cause serious damage to aquaculture.

The range of veterinary medicinal products for rabbits saw substantial development: in 2025, marketing authorizations were received for new vaccines against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease.

For the first time, the Center's portfolio includes a vaccine against canine distemper and parvoviral enteritis designed for puppies.

For the swine industry, two vaccines were developed: a combined vaccine against erysipelas and parvovirus infection, as well as a monovalent vaccine against swine erysipelas.

For cattle, veterinary medicinal products against rotavirus and coronavirus infections and colibacillosis were released. For poultry – a vaccine against H9N2 avian influenza, against Gumboro disease, and a number of other veterinary medicinal products.

In 2025, scientists from the FGBI "ARRIAH" obtained approximately 70 invention patents, including for vaccines against various foot-and-mouth disease serotypes (O, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, Asia-1), relevant for countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These developments can serve as an additional element for strengthening Russia's biosecurity protection.

The Center achieved significant results in the field of laboratory diagnostics. In 2025, a highly effective PCR test kit for detecting the classical swine fever virus genome was developed, enabling the testing of a wide range of biological materials.

In addition, a new test system for diagnosing feline calicivirus has been developed, boasting an accuracy of 99-100%. Similar performance was demonstrated by a diagnostic kit for detecting feline infectious rhinotracheitis, developed based on unique, highly specific components.

Particular attention deserves the implementation of Russia's first method for analyzing the rabies immunity status of wild animals in oral vaccination zones. The developed diagnostic tool allows for rapid assessment of vaccination effectiveness and has no domestic analogues.

In 2025, the FGBI "ARRIAH" developed a series of unique methods. In particular, Russia's first methodological recommendations for sampling to diagnose avian influenza in atypical animal species were prepared.

Also completed was the development of a method for detecting the crayfish plague pathogen using real-time PCR. This enabled the Reference Laboratory for Aquaculture Diseases to become the only one in the country performing the full range of diagnostic tests for all crustacean diseases in accordance with WOAH requirements, significantly boosting the export potential of the industry.

Additionally, methodological recommendations for classifying African swine fever of genotype II were approved, which have no equivalents in global practice.

Special attention by the Center's scientists was paid to studying the causative agents of highly dangerous, transboundary, and economically significant diseases and monitoring animal disease situations. Throughout the year, the Information and Analysis Center of the FGBI "ARRIAH" prepared and published consolidated reports on outbreaks of highly dangerous animal diseases worldwide, animal disease situations, and response measures taken by various countries.

An important part of research and development activity was the practical implementation of scientific knowledge and expert support for the industry. Throughout the year, specialists traveled to regions of the Russian Federation, where, on the basis of agricultural establishments, livestock complexes, and family operated farms, they conducted consultations on animal disease prevention, application of modern diagnostic methods, and implementation of disease control measures. This work allowed to discuss directly current practical challenges with agricultural producers and to implement scientific developments into production.

The wide-ranging activities of the FGBI "ARRIAH" in 2025 were recognized by a high level of trust from international specialized organizations, as evidenced by the expansion of cooperation and the retention of key international statuses. Thus, the Center received official confirmation of the extension of its status as the WOAH Collaborating Centre for Diagnosis and Control of Viral Animal Diseases for Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Transcaucasia for the next 5 years. The FGBI "ARRIAH" was also included in the UN Register of Analytical Laboratories authorized to participate in investigations of the alleged use of chemical, biological, and toxin weapons. Furthermore, the Reference Laboratory for Rabies and BSE was included in the list of accredited laboratories for detecting rabies virus antibody titers for animal export to China.

In 2025, agreements on scientific and technical cooperation were concluded with relevant agencies and research laboratories in India, China, the Central African Republic, and Uzbekistan. Employees of the FGBI "ARRIAH" participated in international scientific conferences, forums, seminars, and meetings in France, Greece, Serbia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Belarus, Tajikistan, and other countries.

The results of the Center's scientific and practical activities received high praise at national and international levels, confirmed by professional awards and competition victories.

The Center was recognized by the FAO for its contribution to sustainable livestock development, animal health protection, and implementation of the "One Health" concept.

The Center became a laureate of the All-Russian Review-Competition for Best Innovative Developments: the team was awarded a 1st-degree diploma for new approaches in laboratory control of the quality and safety of agricultural products. Furthermore, the Center took first place in the "Successful Patent-2025" competition in the "Medicine and Veterinary Medicine" category for developing a vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease serotype Asia-1.

At the "Golden Autumn-2025" exhibition, the Center was awarded prizes from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. For high achievements in research activity, the Center was awarded 6 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

A significant result of the Center's research and production activities was the expansion of export of veterinary medicinal products. The volume of veterinary medicinal product exports by year-end amounted to approximately 731 million doses. Products from the FGBI "ARRIAH" are in demand in countries of the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait), Africa (Uganda, Egypt, Morocco), Asia, the CIS, and the EAEU.

Traditionally, the Center exports vaccines for the prevention of foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox, lumpy skin disease, and viral diseases of poultry. In 2025, the Center expanded its export geography, and its partners now include agricultural agencies and companies in Uganda and Vietnam.

Alongside research, international, and export activities, the FGBI "ARRIAH" fulfills important functions in the sphere of ensuring laboratory testing. A significant contribution to this area is made by the Center's regional testing laboratories located across the Russian Federation. They conduct a wide range of tests to confirm the safety and quality of livestock and crop products, feed, raw materials, soil, grounds, water, grain and its processed products, seeds, and planting material, as well as diagnostic testing of biological samples obtained from animals, poultry, fish, and bees. The total number of tests performed by the regional laboratories of the FGBI "ARRIAH" in 2025 exceeded 11 million.

For many years, the FGBI "ARRIAH" has been a proficiency test provider for testing laboratories. This year, 104 rounds were organized and conducted, with participation from over 450 laboratories, including Russian and foreign institutions. Within the framework of inter-laboratory comparisons, over 8.500 coded samples were prepared.

The Center also conducts educational activities. In 2025, over 4.400 trainees completed training at the Training Center under 398 professional development programs. A total of 776 professional development courses and 27 seminars were held. Main topics included diagnostics of animal diseases, including highly dangerous and quarantine infections, sampling, testing of animal and crop products, raw materials, feed, seeds, grain, soil, and many others.

The postgraduate school, which began operating at the Center over 60 years ago, also fulfills important tasks in training scientific personnel in the field of veterinary science. Educational activities are conducted in two scientific fields: "Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry" and "Biological Sciences". Currently, 24 postgraduate students and 7 individuals attached for preparing a dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Sciences are enrolled in the postgraduate school.

Furthermore, the Dissertation Council continues to operate at the FGBI "ARRIAH". In 2025, four Candidate of Sciences dissertations were defended.

To promote products, exchange professional experience, and strengthen interaction with other organizations, employees of the FGBI "ARRIAH" actively participated in specialized exhibitions in 2025. Presentation stands were showcased at 18 exhibitions, including international ones.

The high performance indicators, scientific achievements, and international recognition of the FGBI "ARRIAH" are the result of the daily work of specialists ensuring the animal disease freedom and food security/safety of the country.