Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University

What Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University does

Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University (SPCHPU, СПХФУ) is a federal state budgetary educational institution of higher education operating under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Founded on 22 October 1919 as the Petrograd Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute, it is Russia's only comprehensive pharmaceutical-dedicated institution spanning secondary vocational, undergraduate, specialist, master's, residency, postgraduate, and continuing professional education. The university comprises two main faculties — the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Industrial Technology of Medicines — alongside a structurally integrated Pharmaceutical Technicum (~800 students, ~150 graduates/year) and an Institute of International Educational Programs. It trains the bulk of Russia's pharmaceutical workforce pipeline, with ~20% of Russian School of Pharmacists Olympiad participants (2,588 students from 69 regions in 2024/2025) subsequently enrolling in pharmaceutical higher education.

SPCHPU's research infrastructure includes an Experimental Pharmacology Centre, Drug Quality Control Centre, GMP Training Centre, Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Centre, Collective Use Centre (shared equipment), Additive Technologies Laboratory, and a Regulatory Relations and Good Practices Laboratory that has drafted federal legislative amendments affecting pharmacy compounding regulations across four Russian federal laws. Outreach and ecosystem assets include the Russian School of Pharmacists Olympiad (national pre-university pipeline), the Centre for Project and Research Competencies (ПИК, engaging 40+ partner schools), and the KhimFarmDolina student accelerator (63 teams, 360+ participants, 17 industrial partners including Gazprom Neft, Cytomed, Tatneft).

Revenue derives primarily from Russian federal budget allocations for state-quota students (subscription-style per-student funding), supplemented by fee-paying educational programmes (e.g., Nutriciology professional development with a 2024 discounted price of ~64,000 rubles), continuing professional development and GMP training services, expert regulatory consulting to government bodies and the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy compounding operations, and an endowment fund. Distribution is primarily national (Saint Petersburg and 69 Russian regions) with international academic partnerships (IIT Kharagpur in India, Tashkent NIVS in Uzbekistan, Republic of Srpska delegation). The current acting rector, Igor Anatolievich Narkevich, was appointed by Ministry of Health order in August 2025.

Name

Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University

Legal name

Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования «Санкт-Петербургский государственный химико-фармацевтический университет» Министерства здравоохранения Российской Федерации)

Website

https://spcpa.ru

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University is a federal state institution under Russia's Ministry of Health, providing comprehensive pharmaceutical education from secondary vocational through PhD, research services, and continuing professional training for Russia's pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Pharmacy (EDAHAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology (EDABALAU), Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical education
• Higher education programs
• Pharmaceutical research
• Continuing professional development
• Regulatory science training

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Petersburg

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Educational Services (Budget Funding): As a federal state budgetary educational institution under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the university receives government funding for core educational activities including undergraduate, specialist, master's, residency, and postgraduate programmes. Revenue is derived from state budget allocations per student quotas and target admission contracts.
2. Commercial Education Services: The university offers fee-paying educational programmes including the 'Нутрициология' (Nutriciology) professional development programme and commercial short courses, charged at defined tuition rates (e.g., a 60% discount was offered for the Nutriciology programme in 2024).
3. Pharmaceutical Production and Regulatory Services: The university operates a pharmacy with the right to manufacture pharmaceutical products and provides expert regulatory science services to government bodies and the pharmaceutical industry. Revenue derives from consulting, expert evaluations, and legislative drafting contributions.
4. Continuing Professional Development: The Centre for Continuing Education (Центр повышения квалификации) and specialist accreditation services provide paid professional development programmes for working pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University is a federal state university under the Russian Ministry of Health that delivers comprehensive pharmaceutical education from secondary vocational through PhD, operates applied research centres (drug quality control, experimental pharmacology, GMP training, additive technologies), and provides expert regulatory and consulting services to the Russian pharmaceutical industry and government bodies. It also runs pre-university outreach (Russian School of Pharmacists olympiad, Project and Research Competencies Centre) and a student biotech accelerator (ХимФармДолина).

Product overview

Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University (СПХФУ) is a federal state budgetary educational institution of higher education under the Russian Ministry of Health. It operates as a comprehensive university offering vocational, undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education in pharmaceutical sciences. The university operates two main faculties — the Faculty of Industrial Technology of Medicines (ФПТЛ) and the Faculty of Pharmacy (Фармацевтический факультет) — alongside a Pharmaceutical Technical School (СПО level), an Institute of International Educational Programs, and a Center for Advanced Training. Research and industry services include the Experimental Pharmacology Center, Drug Quality Control Center, GMP Training Center, Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center, Collective Use Center, and a Regulatory Relations Laboratory. The university also runs outreach programs including the Russian School of Pharmacists Olympiad for high schoolers, the Project and Research Competencies Center (Центр ПИК), and the KhimFarmDolina Student Accelerator for biotech and pharma startups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Russian School of Pharmacists (Российская школа фармацевтов): Annual interregional creative competition for high school students pursuing pharmaceutical careers, conducted since 2015 with support from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health of Russia.
• KhimFarmDolina (ХимФармДолина)
• MEDMOL SPHPU (МЕДМОЛ СПХФУ)
• Radio Aptekarsky Ostrov (Радио Аптекарский остров)

Products and services

• Faculty of Industrial Technology of Medicines (Факультет промышленной технологии лекарств) One of the university's two main faculties, focused on industrial pharmaceutical technology, offering undergraduate, specialist, graduate, and postgraduate programmes for prospective students pursuing careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing and technology.
• Faculty of Pharmacy (Фармацевтический факультет) Main faculty for pharmacy education at SPCHPU, offering undergraduate specialist degree programmes (provizor training) and residency programmes in pharmaceutical technology, management and economics of pharmacy, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
• Pharmaceutical Technical School (Фармацевтический техникум) Secondary vocational education programme (SPO) training pharmaceutical technicians in the specialty 33.02.01 Pharmacy. Approximately 800 students enrolled, producing around 150 graduates per year widely demanded in the Russian pharmaceutical market.
• Advanced Training Center (Центр повышения квалификации) Provides accredited professional development and skills-upgrading programmes for pharmaceutical industry professionals, including retraining, GMP certification, and specialist accreditation services in line with Russian federal requirements.
• Specialist Accreditation (Аккредитация специалистов) Accreditation services for pharmaceutical specialists conducted in accordance with Russian federal requirements, provided as a paid continuing professional service.
• Experimental Pharmacology Center (Центр экспериментальной фармакологии) Research centre providing pharmacological testing and experimental drug development services for the pharmaceutical industry, with capabilities to conduct experimental pharmacology studies.
• Drug Quality Control Center (Центр контроля качества лекарственных средств) Laboratory centre providing quality control testing of pharmaceutical products using standardised methods, serving industry clients and participating in the annual Congress on Drug Development and Registration.
• GMP Training Center (GMP центр) Training centre providing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance training and certification for pharmaceutical industry professionals, addressing Russian and international regulatory manufacturing standards.
• Russian-Finnish Life Sciences Center (Российско-Финский Центр Наук о Жизни) Joint Russian-Finnish research centre for collaborative life sciences research, also functioning as a venue for international academic conferences hosted by SPCHPU.
• Collective Use Center (Центр коллективного пользования) Provides access to shared advanced laboratory equipment and instrumentation for university researchers, students, and external organisations conducting pharmaceutical and chemical research.
• Regulatory Relations and Good Practices Laboratory (Лаборатория регуляторных отношений и надлежащих практик) Research and consulting laboratory focused on regulatory science, pharmacy compounding legislation, and legislative drafting for government bodies, contributing to federal legislative amendments affecting drug circulation.
• KhimFarmDolina Student Accelerator (Акселератор ХимФармДолина) Student accelerator programme at SPCHPU for developing innovative science-technology projects in biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, polymers, and health products. Industry partners provide mentorship, expert evaluation, and potential funding of up to 500,000 rubles per team.
• Nutriciology Program (Нутрициология) Professional continuing education programme in nutriciology delivered by SPCHPU, targeted at working pharmacists and pharmaceutical professionals seeking specialisation in nutritional science.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 20% of Russian School of Pharmacists olympiad participants subsequently choose to enter pharmaceutical higher education institutions.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• IIT Kharagpur, IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026MoU signed in February 2026 during a virtual ceremony between IIT Kharagpur and Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. The agreement establishes student and scholar exchange programmes, faculty exchanges for joint scientific research, and collaborative academic programmes for students and working professionals. Both institutions emphasised commitment to strengthening Indo-Russian cooperation in higher education, research, and technological innovation.
• Татнефть (Tatneft), RussiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Industrial partner of the ХимФармДолина accelerator programme. Provided industry challenges and expert mentorship to student teams during the pitch session on 24 October 2024.
• ГБУЗ ЛОКБ (Leningrad Oblast Clinical Hospital), RussiamoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Industrial partner of the ХимФармДолина accelerator, providing clinical and healthcare industry perspective to student innovation projects.
• Перекрёсток (Pyaterochka), RussiamoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Retail partner participating in the ХимФармДолина accelerator with industry challenges related to functional foods, nutrition, and health products.
• БРУТТОНЕТТО (BRUTTONETTO), RussiamoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Industrial partner of the accelerator, co-sponsoring a student project for the development of BCAA amino acid complex in effervescent tablet form, as an initiative with rapid commercialisation potential.
• ОТПК, НОРДЕНА, Здоровый хлеб, Pumpitu, Арис групп+, EvotecMed, Фармасинтез, ДоброфmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2024Industrial partners of the ХимФармДолина accelerator providing diverse industry challenges in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food science, and medical devices. 17 industrial partners total participated in the 2024 pitch session, evaluated by 14 industry experts.
• Association of State Pharmacy Chains (АГАС), RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2024Cooperation agreement signed on 22 October 2024 during the university's 105th anniversary celebrations. SPCHPU specialists from the Laboratory of Regulatory Relations and Good Practices collaborate with АГАС on developing pharmacy compounding regulation, educational programmes for pharmacy workforce development, targeted student admission, professional testing, and management skills training for pharmacy executives.
• Petersburg Pharmacies (Петербургские аптеки), RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024Industrial partner of the Centre for Project and Research Competencies (ПИК). Supports the pre-university outreach programme and provides industry perspective for career guidance activities targeting schoolchildren.
• Вертекс (Vertex), RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024Industrial partner of the Centre for Project and Research Competencies (ПИК) and participant in the ХимФармДолина accelerator. Vertex is a Russian pharmaceutical company providing industry challenges and expert evaluation for student projects.
• Committee for Education of Saint PetersburgcoreOthers · 20 September 2024Government partner supporting the Centre for Project and Research Competencies (ПИК). Provides institutional backing and policy alignment for pre-university education and career guidance programmes.
• Technopark Saint PetersburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Cooperation agreement with Technopark Saint Petersburg for the ХимФармДолина accelerator programme. The Technopark will evaluate projects at the demo day and offer the best teams residency at Technopark facilities. They provide expert and mentor support for financial modelling, marketing strategy, and investor attraction.
• Газпром Нефть (Gazprom Neft), RussiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Gazprom Neft partnered with SPCHPU through the ХимФармДолина accelerator to develop student start-ups in biotechnology, medical chemistry, new polymers, and materials. The company provides industrial challenges, mentorship, and investment support to student teams participating in the programme.
• МБНПК Цитомед (Cytomed), RussiamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Cytomed is an industrial partner of the ХимФармДолина accelerator, providing real-world industry challenges for student teams and expert evaluation during pitch sessions. The company has supported the Russian School of Pharmacists olympiad for 10 years.
• Tashkent Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera (Ташкентский НИИВС), UzbekistancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2023A delegation from the Tashkent Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the university in April 2023, led by Director Ashurov A.A. The meeting with rector I.A. Narkevich identified key areas for developing friendly relations, including joint scientific research projects, conference participation, and exchange visits of researchers and faculty. The aim is close cooperation in both education and science.
• Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) DelegationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2017In March 2017, a delegation from the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, including representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, hospital directors, and foundation executives, visited SPCHPA. Rector I.A. Narkevich and Vice-Rector V.G. Luzhanin presented the academy's history and current activities. The visit was coordinated with the Saint Petersburg Committee for Industrial Policy and Innovation.
• Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health of the Russian FederationcoreOthers · 1 January 2015The Russian School of Pharmacists competition is conducted annually with support from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. These government bodies provide institutional endorsement and policy alignment for the national olympiad.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Kazan State Medical University: Major medical university in the Volga region with a pharmaceutical faculty. Regional competitor for pharmacy students and pharmaceutical industry partnerships in Tatarstan and surrounding areas.
• Samara State Medical University: Volga region medical university with a pharmaceutical faculty. Regional competitor for pharmacy students and offers overlapping programs in pharmaceutical technology and continuing professional education for working pharmacists.
• Bashkir State Medical University: Ufa-based medical university with a pharmaceutical faculty offering pharmacy and pharmaceutical chemistry programs. Competes with SPCHPU for students from the Ural and Volga regions, though its pharmaceutical profile is narrower than SPCHPU's full-spectrum offering.
• Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University: Saint Petersburg-based medical university focused on pediatrics but with adjacent pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacology programs. Same-city peer sharing the St. Petersburg talent pool and competing for medical-adjacent educational funding from the Ministry of Health.

Direct peers

• Perm State Medical University named after E.A. Vagner: Formerly Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy, this is the closest direct Russian peer: a specialized pharmaceutical higher education institution with similar curriculum in pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutical technology, and continuing professional education. Now part of a broader medical university but retains a dedicated pharmaceutical profile, making it the most comparable competitor for Russian pharmacy students.
• Volgograd State Medical University (with Pyatigorsk Medical-Pharmaceutical Institute): Operates the Pyatigorsk Medical-Pharmaceutical Institute as a branch dedicated to pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Direct competitor in southern Russia for pharmaceutical students and offers overlapping programs in drug technology, pharmacy management, and continuing professional education.

Broad incumbents

• I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University: Russia's premier medical university with a substantial pharmaceutical faculty offering pharmacy, biotechnology, and industrial pharmaceutical technology programs. Larger and broader in scope than SPCHPU but directly competes for the same pool of top-tier Russian pharmacy students and pharmaceutical research funding.

Others

• UCL School of Pharmacy: Leading UK pharmaceutical sciences school within UCL, offering integrated pharmacy education, drug development research, and industry partnerships. Analogous in combining pharmacy education, regulatory science research, and pharmaceutical industry engagement, though at much larger scale.
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS): US-based specialized health sciences university focused on pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and continuing professional education. Functionally analogous institution model (specialized pharma/health university with industry-aligned CPD) though operating in a different regulatory and funding environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/embed/CMwQUcHOkDo
• Xx.com/spcpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spcpu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University