Development of biobanking infrastructure in Armenia: opportunities and challenges

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development of biobanking in Armenia, highlighting opportunities and challenges for building sustainable biomedical research infrastructure.

Contribution

The paper provides insights into biobanking development in middle-income countries, using Armenia as a case study.

Findings

Armenia has opportunities like diaspora networks and geographic position for biobanking growth.

Challenges include limited funding, regulatory gaps, and cultural barriers to sample donation.

Strategic approaches like international collaboration and capacity-building are being adopted.

Abstract

Biobanking has become a cornerstone of biomedical research and precision medicine, enabling population studies, biomarker discovery, and translational research. However, while high-income countries operate mature biobanking systems, middle-income and transitional economies encounter distinct barriers to establishing sustainable and internationally compatible infrastructures. This mini review examines the development of biobanking in Armenia as a representative middle-income case. It highlights key opportunities, such as strong diaspora scientific networks, a growing biotechnology sector, increasing national interest in precision medicine, and Armenia’s strategic geographic position between Europe and Asia. At the same time, significant challenges persist, including limited funding, regulatory and ethical gaps, infrastructure constraints, shortages in specialized technical personnel, and socio-cultural barriers related to sample donation and data sharing. The review outlines strategic approaches adopted in Armenia, including international collaboration, capacity-building initiatives, and alignment with global best practices. Lessons from Armenia’s experience may guide other middle-income and post-Soviet countries in developing effective and resilient biobanking systems.