The Lithuanian biotechnology industry has been rapidly developing since the 1990s and is regarded as one of the most sophisticated in Central and Eastern Europe. The sector employs approximately 700 people, including 160 R&D professionals, and its total annual revenues exceed EUR 50 million. The success of the Lithuanian biotechnology industry has been reinforced by numerous Lithuanian scientists who have returned to Lithuania after having spent years abroad.

Adding to this wealth of knowledge and experience is a pool of 18,000 R&D researchers and specialists residing in Lithuania today. 15 research institutions carry out chemical and biochemical research for pharmaceutical purposes. 16 institutions, including five major universities, train biotechnology and business specialists in cooperation with both domestic and international biotechnology companies. 

Industrial Biotechnology

Lithuania has highly-developed agricultural and forestry sectors. Industrial biotechnology became a rapidly growing sector in Lithuania over the past decade, especially the production of biofuel. The sector is expected to have continued growth over the next decade and beyond. Annually Lithuania produces an excess of biomass that can be converted into biofuel, including:

• around 1.0 million tons of surplus grain
• more than 4.5 million tons of residual biomass and waste products from stockbreeding
• more than 2.5 million m³ of forestry residues are formed during wood manufacturing

Success stories: Thermofisher, TEVA, Fermentas, SICOR Biotech, BIOK, Biocentras, Traidenis etc. More success stories