Omniva issues stamp dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Estonian Biobank
Today marks 25 years since the Government of the Republic of Estonia issued the order of 13 March 2001 establishing the Estonian Biobank. To celebrate the anniversary, a postage stamp with a denomination of €1.80 is being issued today. The stamp isavailable at all post offices across Estonia and in Omniva’s online shop. The First Day cancellation is in use at the Tartu Kvartal Centre post office.
The Biobank stamp continues the Estonia-themed series, bringing genetics into focus. Designed by Jaan Saar, the stamp features a DNA double helix symbol printed with a UV ink layer to highlight the less visible side of cutting-edge science. With a quantityissued of 100,000, it is the largest self-adhesive stamp issue of 2026 and the only Omniva issue this year to use a UV ink element.
“With the stamp dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Estonian Biobank, we are marking an important milestone in Estonian science, built on the contribution of researchers, doctors and tens of thousands of people. More than 210,000 people in Estonia have entrusted their data to science for the benefit of a healthier future for us all. This has helped us better understand how heredity and environment shape health and why the same diseases affect people differently,” said Hannes Nagel, Head of Philately at Omniva.
Established in 2001, the Estonian Biobank collects gene and health data for research purposes and supports the development of knowledge-based healthcare. Around one fifth of Estonia’s adult population has joined the Biobank. Through theMinuGeenivaramu web portal, all gene donors receive personalised feedback based on research findings, including their predisposition to type 2 diabetes and ischaemic heart disease, information on medication suitability and ancestry.
The Estonian Biobank’s data collection is used in both domestic and international research, and results based on it have been published in more than 800 articles. “We are among the world’s leading biobanks, we provide unique feedback to all gene donors, and we work closely with hospitals and family doctors in conducting clinical studies,” said Lili Milani, Head of the Estonian Biobank. “The anniversary year will be an active one for gene donors — this year we have launched or are launching several researchstudies and will be sending out more invitations than before to participate. Very soon, we will once again invite all gene donors to take part in a study on well-being and mental health.”
In 2026, Omniva will issue over 40 postage stamps marking important themes and events in the history and culture of Estonia and Estonian society. Omniva’s stamps are printed on paper bearing the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark for responsibleforestry. The FSC label confirms that the wood used to produce the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.