In the photo, the inauguration of the Eric Kandel Institute with the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, the Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research, Eva-Maria Holzleitner, and the Rector of MedUni Vienna, Markus Müller.
Credit: © APA Fotoservice / Daniel Hinterramskogle
Two new centers dedicated to precision medicine and translational research have opened in Vienna, building the medicine of tomorrow today.
Italian entrepreneurs and companies have already chosen Austria as the place to pursue their path of growth and innovation.
Milan, October 9, 2026 – Where should companies develop the technologies that will transform medicine in the coming years? For a growing number of international companies, Austria is emerging as an increasingly attractive option. The biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, diagnostics, and digital health sectors find in Austria an ecosystem where scientific research, industry, universities, hospitals, startups, and investors are closely interconnected. This combination is transforming Austria into one of Europe’s most dynamic hubs for the Life Sciences and is also attracting Italian entrepreneurs and companies seeking a cutting-edge environment in which to develop highly innovative technologies.
The true distinguishing feature is the ability to create favorable conditions throughout the entire innovation process: from basic research to experimentation, from technology transfer to industrial growth, and to access to international markets.
An Ecosystem That Grows Through Innovation
The numbers reflect the scale of this ecosystem: Today, more than 1,100 life sciences companies operate in Austria, employing over 73,000 people and generating approximately 40 billion euros in annual revenue. The sector encompasses biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, diagnostics, digital health, enabling technologies, and specialized services. LISA – Life Science Austria serves as the national liaison, bringing together the ecosystem’s stakeholders and promoting joint initiatives.
Austria’s growing ability to create an environment conducive to advanced research finds one of its most tangible expressions in Vienna, where the Medical University of Vienna has just inaugurated the Eric Kandel Institute – Center for Precision Medicine and the Center for Translational Medicine. The two facilities are part of a larger development project comprising over 90,000 square meters of new infrastructure dedicated to research and education.
The Center for Translational Medicine, with approximately 14,000 square meters of floor space, brings together research, education, and clinical practice under one roof, creating state-of-the-art spaces for the advancement of translational and personalized medicine.
The CTM was built thanks to an investment of approximately 12 million euros from the Austrian federal government and the City of Vienna. The Center for Precision Medicine, on the other hand, received approximately 90 million euros from the RECOVER program.
This process will be completed by the new MedUni Mariannengasse Campus, scheduled to open in the fall of 2027: the campus will bring together preclinical facilities that are currently scattered across various locations and create a shared environment for approximately 2,000 students and 750 researchers.
Vienna is one of the main hubs of this system, while other regions offer complementary expertise. Tyrol is particularly active in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical engineering, and digital health. Styria, on the other hand, is characterized by a strong presence in industrial biotech, bioprocessing, and medtech, with an R&D investment share exceeding 5.3% among the highest in Europe.
For an international company, this means having access to a network of partners across the entire value chain who can draw on the expertise of INVEST in AUSTRIA, the national investment promotion agency, which offers free support on location-related issues.
“Austria offers international companies a particularly attractive ecosystem because it brings together research, industry, and the healthcare system and provides direct access to highly qualified expertise and partners,” explains Susanne Mayr, Director for Italy & Slovenia at the Austrian Business Agency. “For Italian life sciences companies, Austria serves as a strategic hub for developing new technologies, building international partnerships, and accelerating their growth in Europe.”
Italians Choosing Austria to Develop the Medicine of Tomorrow
The fact that Austria is an attractive environment for international innovation is demonstrated by the companies that have chosen the country as a base to transform research and technology into industrial development. Among these are Italian companies that have collaborated with the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) in the process of establishing or expanding their operations in Austria.
Proxygen, a Vienna-based biotech company founded by an international team with Austrian, Italian, and German roots, is committed to developing new therapies for cancer and other serious diseases.
Syntropic Medical was founded by Italian innovators and develops technologies that harness the brain’s neuroplasticity with the goal of improving mental health and cognitive function.
Epitome Therapeutics is a spin-off of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Rome and was founded by British epigenetics pioneer Dr. Jamie Hackett and Argentine physician Dr. Guido Gualdoni.
“When we were planning the commercialization of our technology developed at EMBL, we considered several European cities. What convinced us most quickly about Austria was the strong commitment of local investors, the simple and straightforward process for accessing public funding, and the seamless integration into the Vienna BioCenter,” says Guido Gualdoni, co-founder and CEO of Epitome Therapeutics.
Austria Presents Itself to Italian Companies
The growing appeal of Austria’s life sciences ecosystem will also be discussed at Meet in Italy, scheduled to take place at the Auditorium della Tecnica in Rome on October 13 and 14.
During the event, Caterina Vizzardelli, Senior Scientist at MedUni Vienna and President of ASSAI, who will serve as a panelist on the session titled “Optimizing Research and Innovation: Bridging Ecosystems for Global Competitiveness,” will contribute insights, experiences, and examples related to the Austrian life sciences ecosystem, with a particular focus on the opportunities and experiences of Italian companies that have chosen Austria to expand their operations.
ABA, the Austrian Business Agency, owned by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Tourism, is the national agency for promoting foreign investment in Austria. It is tasked with positioning Austria as an ideal destination for international business through its three areas of expertise: INVEST in Austria, which focuses on attracting and supporting international companies; WORK in Austria, which assists the business community in recruiting qualified international workers; and FILM in Austria, dedicated to international film productions. The ABA team assists international entrepreneurs throughout the entire internationalization process, offering personalized support both during the startup phase and as their business grows in Austria.
