A team from Altai State University (AltSU) whose project titled Development of a Technology for Producing Recombinant Chymosin Using Mammalian Cell Lines was among the more than 200 teams selected to participate in the in-person stage of the technology leadership development program.

The in-person stage of the From Idea to Product program took place in Moscow from September 10 to 12. Following a remote expert review, 201 teams were selected from more than 1,000 entrants in the qualifying round. The program is implemented by the Center for Technology Leadership in partnership with the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, and Gazprombank. Over the course of three days, participants collaborated with experts and one another to refine their vision for a future product, map out its path to implementation, and determine the next stage of its development.

For the AltSU team, participation in the in-person stage provided not only an opportunity to present its chymosin project to experts but also a chance to evaluate it in a broader context. The objective of this stage extended beyond a standard project presentation: it was intended to assess the team’s understanding of the future product, its target customers, and the resources and partnerships required, as well as its ability to make decisions that would advance the technology to the next stage of development.

Participants were divided into 23 product clusters according to the practical application areas of their projects. Teams addressing related problems, operating in similar markets, or offering complementary expertise were grouped together. This format enabled participants to compare different approaches, identify potential partners, and define more precisely what the final product should be.

Throughout the three-day event, the teams worked with experts, tested key hypotheses, discussed limitations and risks, received feedback, and examined their developments from the perspective of future customers and partners. One of the formats used was an “investment committee” simulation, in which the teams compared projects, argued for their value, and made decisions based on limited information. A separate session focused on the leadership potential of project managers, specifically their ability to negotiate, allocate roles, accept feedback, and act in situations for which there was no pre-existing answer.

“The in-person stage allows us to see the project as a whole: its technological foundation, the people behind it, its management logic, and the next step towards the final product. It is important for us to support not only promising developments but also teams capable of achieving measurable results, building the necessary partnerships, and integrating their technologies into the real economy,” said Irina Zhukova, CEO of the Center for Technological Leadership.

For the AltSU team, one of the main outcomes of the three-day event was a clearer understanding of the project’s next steps, ranging from refining specific solutions to establishing new partnerships and preparing for practical implementation.

“During the in-person stage, we were able to refine our market-analysis calculations, largely thanks to our work with experts. The most valuable aspect for the team was meeting the other participants: we found common ground and agreed to pursue joint projects in the future. Now, our next step is to work on obtaining highly active clones of the strain,” said Dmitry Shcherbakov, Acting Director of the Center for Technology Development and project leader for Development of a Technology for Producing Recombinant Chymosin Using Mammalian Cell Lines.

The next stage will involve a review of the projects by the program’s Expert Council. Subsequently, the Investment Committee will select the teams that will receive funding and continued support. The program comprises two tracks: validating a technological idea and developing a prototype, and preparing an existing product for market launch in collaboration with an industrial or investment partner. The winners will be eligible to receive up to 30 million rubles in total to implement their projects over a period of up to two years, as well as expert and acceleration support from the Center for Technological Leadership.