Helix Opens Armenian Laboratory and Plans Diagnostic Centres

Automated laboratory testing — Automated laboratory equipment

Helix has opened an 850-square-metre laboratory complex in Armenia after investing more than 2.5 billion dram, equivalent to approximately 579 million rubles. The project has created over 200 jobs, including more than 100 positions for medical personnel.

Laboratory and diagnostic centres

The facility is the company's ninth laboratory complex and its third in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Deputy general director Darya Goryakina expects its automated track, connecting analysers within one system, to handle more than 20,000 tests daily.

Helix

Helix plans at least 30 franchised diagnostic centres in Armenia. The first is expected to open shortly in Yerevan, with further development envisaged in the country's regions.

The planned centres will offer laboratory testing alongside other diagnostic and medical services:

doctor consultations;
ultrasound examinations;
electrocardiography.

Helix deputy general director Darya Goryakina

Earlier expansion in Kazakhstan

Helix opened its Almaty laboratory in January 2024. That facility occupied 200 square metres and was designed for up to 20,000 tests a day. It became the seventh laboratory complex in the company's structure. Before local laboratory processing began, samples collected through its Kazakh retail and corporate operations were analysed in Moscow.

The company's master-franchise model, introduced in 2023, allowed partners to establish their own outlets and subfranchised centres. The arrangement covered services for individual customers, corporate clients and government organisations. Partners could provide physician consultations and instrumental diagnostics as well as laboratory services. At the Almaty opening, investment in that project was not disclosed.

Helix master franchise and Almaty laboratory — Master franchise launch and Almaty laboratory opening

Regional franchise development

By June 2024, Helix operated ten diagnostic centres in Kazakhstan through its master-franchise format. Its Belarusian diagnostic centres and laboratory had been integrated into the group following the acquisition of a private laboratory network in 2023. Armenia was already among the countries identified for further expansion, alongside Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan.

Goryakina's June 2024 expansion programme envisaged franchises, subfranchises and local laboratory complexes. The intended pace of openings depended on each national market and the terms agreed with partners. At that time, the wider Helix network comprised 800 diagnostic centres in 250 cities across Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan; 57 locations had opened during the first half of 2024.