Spotlight on Vienna

A growing sector with scientific tradition

Vienna is more than just a historical gem: it is a living example of what a good quality of life can mean in the modern world. Vienna’s outstanding geographical position and its top quality of life, make the city an ideal place for marketing products across Europe. All biopharmaceutical and medical device companies ranked in the top 20 worldwide by global annual sales have a presence in the Vienna region.

This proud history of medicine and research has laid the foundations for Vienna to thrive, with global leaders in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech and digital technologies conducting research, production, sales and distribution in the Austrian capital.

The life sciences sector is prospering, with numerous large pharma companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim and Takeda setting up major operations in the city. Additionally a dynamic start up scene has been developing since the 1990. The hundreds of millions of euros in investments that flow into this sector every year in Vienna speak to its appeal, drawing local and international talent. The ecosystem is home to top labs, research facilities and life sciences centres. These make hugely valuable contributions to improving health all around the world, including in Vienna, which offers its residents state-of-the-art medicine and affordable access to high-quality care and health services.

Vienna’s life sciences community has experienced significant growth for many years. In 2023, a total of 750 companies, research institutions and further core organizations were active in the life science sector in Vienna, having a combined workforce of 49,000 people and generating 22,7 billion euros in sales.

The city’s iconic landmark, St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the Old Town, rises with Gothic elegance toward the skies – just like your business prospects when you connect with the right partners at BIO-Europe. Between the stylish opening reception at Vienna City Hall and the grand evening event at the Hofburg Palace. You might even find time to enjoy a classic Viennese coffee (ein “Kleiner Brauner”) in one of the historic cafés along with a slice of Sachertorte.

Vienna is not only one of Europe’s most beautiful cities but also a centre of science, education, and history. Great minds like Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Boltzmann, and Gregor Mendel shaped thinking from here – and their legacy lives on. The city thrives on research and development, with the Vienna BioCenter, one of Europe’s leading life science campuses and home to international renowned research institutions such as IMBA,IMP, GMI and MPL as well as 35+ companies. Be inspired by Vienna’s scientific landscape and take your partnerships to the next level.

Vienna is not only a cultural but is fast becoming a dynamic biotech hub with tremendous potential. The life sciences ecosystem in Vienna is characterized by a dynamic and diverse landscape with numerous key players. The Life Science Cluster Vienna, LISAvienna, as well as ViennaBusiness and Austrian Business Agency play a central role in this. Universities and research institutions are further pillars of Austria’s life sciences sector. Institutions such as the Medical University of Vienna, the University of Vienna and BOKU University are not only leading centers of education but also hubs of cutting-edge research. Numerous innovations are developed here and transferred to industry through spin-offs and cooperation agreements.

Another decisive factor is research funding. Programs such as the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Vienna Business Agency and Austrian promotional bank (aws) provide financial support for research projects and businesses. This funding enables both established researchers and young talents to turn their ideas into reality and to develop innovative solutions.

Register now for BIO-Europe 2025 in Vienna and become part of the community driving the next wave of innovation in life sciences – in a city where tradition and future blend in a uniquely inspiring way.