On January 16, 2026, as part of the Lidings Global – Indian Desk project, the expert webinar "Opportunities for Indian Medical Device Manufacturers in the Russian Market" took place. The event was organized by Lidings in cooperation with the Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) and the LexCounsel Law Offices. The webinar was designed exclusively for AiMeD member companies, targeting senior management, specialists from manufacturing firms, and industry experts.
The relevance of the topic stems from the dynamic changes in the Russian medical device market, driven by localization and import substitution policies, the transformation of logistics and financial chains under sanctions, and the growing demand for reliable foreign partners. India, with its robust manufacturing base and status as a global leader in medical production, is viewed as a key strategic partner for Russia in this sector.
Speakers at the webinar included representatives from AiMeD, the Embassy of India in Moscow, the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPCMD), as well as the global regulatory consulting and market access organization Elmas.
The event was moderated by Andrey Zelenin, Managing Partner of Lidings, and Alishan Naqvee, Managing Partner of LexCounsel.
Natalya Thotahewage, Counsel and Head of the Life Sciences Industry practice and Head the Indian Desk at Lidings, delivered the keynote presentation on the legal framework for medical device circulation in Russia.
In her presentation, Natalya provided a detailed analysis of the impact of sanctions on supply chains and the Russian medical device market. She emphasized that despite the absence of direct supply prohibitions, companies face significant challenges in payments and logistics due to disconnection from SWIFT and restrictions in the transportation sector. Special attention was given to the legal nuances of advertising, promotion, and post-market surveillance, highlighting the importance of strict compliance with Russian legislation to avoid fines and reputational risks. Concluding her speech, she analyzed current market trends and challenges under geopolitical pressures and outlined specific opportunities for international players within the context of localization and import substitution policies, pointing to the growing demand for reliable foreign partners and the necessity of strategic planning for successful market entry.