The Future of Global Biotech May Lie in Lithuania: “Collaboration and Investment are Key,” Says Industry Expert

According to the statistics, Lithuania has all the makings of a global biotech and life sciences hub, but turning this potential into reality hinges on strategic investments and partnerships. The country already boasts the single highest-educated population in Europe, the largest number of women in science and tech in the EU and high rankings in biotech R&D spending intensity among OECD countries.

Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, is home to several high-profile collaborations that are driving the bioeconomy forward. In 2020, the Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre became the home of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Partnership Institute, where six international research groups are developing genome editing technologies. More recently, the Vilnius-based biotech firm Vital3D, specializing in 3D bioprinting solutions, successfully collaborated with the National Cancer Institute to develop breakthrough methods in cancer research and treatment.

These collaborations are crucial to realizing the country’s goal of generating 5% of its GDP from life sciences by 2030. According to Vital3D’s CEO, Vidmantas Šakalys, while Vilnius’s biotech sector has seen considerable success and shows significant potential, further development in infrastructure and funding is essential to achieving its ambitious goals.

Local support for biotech growth

Vilnius’s biotech ecosystem owes much of its present success to a vast network of supportive organizations and institutions, Šakalys says. “Universities and research institutes like Vilnius University and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences are at the heart of the biotech ecosystem. They not only produce a steady stream of skilled graduates but also lead pioneering research projects. The resulting collaborative efforts create fertile ground for partnerships between academia and industry.”

Industry associations like the Lithuanian Biotechnology Association (LithuaniaBIO) are also critical connectors, advocating for the biotech sector, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and facilitating networking opportunities, Šakalys points out.

Similarly, governmental and municipal agencies such as Innovation Agency and Go Vilnius, the official tourism and business development agency of Vilnius, bolster the ecosystem by offering support through funding programs and consultancy services. “Such agencies are instrumental in de-risking early-stage innovations and accelerating the path to market,” Šakalys says. “Their financial and strategic support helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization.”

But even such pillars of support could be further enhanced, Šakalys says. “Vilnius is already host to several renowned research centers and innovation hubs. However, increasing the availability of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and co-working spaces tailored to the specific needs of biotech startups would be highly beneficial. Enhanced infrastructure, facilitated through public-private partnerships, would provide startups with the necessary resources to conduct research, develop products, and scale operations without the need for significant initial capital investment.”

Boosting the sector through funding and collaboration

On the topic of funding, being part of the EU also provides Vilnius-based biotech companies with access to a vast market and significant funding opportunities through programs like Horizon Europe, which helps local biotech startups scale innovations, attract international investments, and establish partnerships with other leading biotech hubs in Europe.

But there is room to foster an even more robust investment ecosystem, to build on the momentum of Vilnius’s current success. “Vilnius has made strides in attracting venture capital, but there is still room for growth,” Šakalys says. “Agencies could work closely with financial institutions, angel investors, and venture capital firms to create targeted funding programs and incentives for biotech startups. Investor forums, pitch events, and matchmaking opportunities would help bridge the gap between innovative startups and potential investors.”

Such capital investment would help address the challenge of scalability of biotech innovations. “The transition from laboratory research to large-scale production is often fraught with difficulties, requiring significant capital, expertise, and infrastructure,” Šakalys says. “To meet its goals, Lithuania must develop its manufacturing capabilities and build a skilled workforce, adept in both research and industrial-scale biotech operations.”

The key to this development would be collaboration and co-creation. “Partnerships with international biotech strongholds and the development of specialized training programs would ensure that the workforce would be well-prepared to meet the demands of an evolving biotech sector.”

Collaborative success and cross-industry innovation

Collaboration is at the heart of Vital3D’s latest success: a breakthrough in cancer research. achieved in partnership with the National Cancer Institute. “Our most recent work focuses on the challenging task of promoting the growth of notoriously difficult-to-grow cancer cells. The preliminary results of our joint research with the NCI suggest that our innovative 3D-printed organoid scaffolds could play a crucial role in advancing cancer research and treatment,” Šakalys says.

“The success of this collaboration is a significant milestone that validates our approach and our technology. This breakthrough reinforces our belief that cross-industry innovation is key to solving some of the most challenging problems in healthcare, particularly for a pioneering company like Vital3D. Taking a multifaceted approach, combining expertise from laser, biotech, and IT industries, enables us to leverage the strengths and advancements of each field, leading to breakthroughs that might not be possible within the confines of a single industry.”

Such collaboration and cross-industry innovation exemplify what is possible in the fertile ground of Vilnius’s biotech sector, according to Šakalys. “By further addressing the challenges of infrastructure, investment, and scalability, Lithuania can foster an even more dynamic and supportive environment for biotech startups, propelling the city and country forward in the global biotech arena.”