Lithuania’s biotechnology sector is making waves on the global stage, delivering groundbreaking solutions that are redefining standards in healthcare, diagnostics, and medical technology. With millions in annual investment and a vibrant ecosystem of innovation, Lithuania is becoming a hub for life sciences advancement.
This September, the international forum Life Sciences Baltics 2025 returns to Vilnius for its seventh edition. Organised by the Innovation Agency, the event will gather leading minds to shape the future of the life sciences industry. Ahead of the forum, renowned scientist and entrepreneur Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis shares insights into Lithuania’s impressive progress and the challenges that lie ahead.
A Global Player in Life Sciences
“Lithuania belongs to the global elite in life sciences,” says Prof. Bumelis. “Our scientists and students are achieving internationally recognised results, and we have strong research centres, advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, and active partnerships with global players.”
Martynas Survilas, Head of the Breakthrough Department at the Innovation Agency, supports this with hard data:
“Lithuania is home to more than 300 life sciences companies, including over 120 start-ups. A remarkable 87% of our biotech products are exported to major global markets. And the sector continues to attract significant investment—Flo Health has raised $200 million, Pentasweet €44 million, and Atrandi Biosciences $25 million.”
Rising Fast in Next-Gen Biotech
Lithuania’s biotech success is no coincidence—it is growing in step with global industry trends. One standout area is personalised medicine, which is predicted to become a $1.1 trillion global market by 2032.
Lithuanian start-ups are already gaining momentum. For example, in May, multiomics data analytics firm VUGENE announced a €1 million seed investment—marking a strong start in a competitive field.
Prof. Bumelis notes that Lithuania is making important strides:
“We are already laying the groundwork for personalised medicine. Our research in genomics and molecular biology is world-class, and we’re building data assets to support this shift.”
However, sustained progress depends on building a robust innovation ecosystem—one that brings together health data, research, and product development.
“We need streamlined mechanisms for integrating new therapies into clinical practice. That requires sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and a well-defined healthcare strategy,” says Prof. Bumelis.
Gene Therapy: A Key Frontier
Another area where Lithuania shows strong potential is gene therapy, closely tied to personalised medicine. According to Prof. Bumelis, Lithuania’s strengths in biological drug manufacturing and gene engineering—including CRISPR-Cas9 technology—are positioning the country at the forefront of this cutting-edge field.
“Gene therapies are still extremely expensive—often costing hundreds of thousands of euros—and regulatory approval processes are long and complex. We need to simplify these pathways and explore new funding models to ensure broader access,” he explains.
Driving Innovation with Bold Vision and Global Ties
Ambition is at the heart of Lithuania’s biotechnology leap forward. One major initiative is the development of Bio City—a dedicated biotech campus:
“Bio City will unite every element of the biotech value chain—from advanced R&D hubs to large-scale biological drug manufacturing plants supplying global markets,” Prof. Bumelis says.
He also highlights the vital role of international collaboration:
“You can’t develop competitive biotech solutions in isolation. Global partnerships are essential. Events like Life Sciences Baltics are key platforms for sharing expertise, meeting potential collaborators, and advancing innovation.”
Prof. Bumelis encourages attendees not just to listen to the talks but to actively network:
“The ability to connect science with real-world application is everything in this field. Forums like this provide the perfect opportunity to do that.”
Join Life Sciences Baltics 2025
Life Sciences Baltics 2025 will take place in Vilnius on 17–18 September, bringing together over 800 professionals, investors, and industry leaders from around the world. The programme includes a high-level conference, an industry exhibition, B2B matchmaking sessions, start-up pitches, and guided tours of Lithuania’s top biotech companies.
Based on information from the Innovation Agency of Lithuania
