Life Sciences Come Alive in Vienna

The Life Sciences Hub Vienna consists of 646 companies, 19 research institutions, and 89 other organizations.

Of these companies:
– 349 are active in the biotech and pharmaceutical sector, and
– 297 in medical technology.

• +22% revenue growth: Between 2020 and 2023, the annual revenue of Vienna’s life sciences sector rose by 22%, reaching €22.7 billion.
• €18.4 billion (81%) of this revenue comes from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
• +8% increase in employment in the sector since 2020.
• More than half of Austria’s entire life sciences industry is based in Vienna.
• 8,800 life sciences publications (2023) – a testament to the high quality and productivity of Vienna’s research landscape.

Digital technologies, smart production, and new therapeutic approaches shape Vienna’s life sciences landscape – as does the use of software and artificial intelligence, for example in diagnostics and drug development.

In the Vienna region, around 20 of the most important pharmaceutical and medical device companies, along with a wide range of SMEs and startups, are based. The development of pioneering treatments for cancer and rare diseases, as well as vaccines, in-vitro diagnostics, and digital health solutions, plays a key role in the city.

Life sciences are among Vienna’s main drivers of innovation. With AITHYRA, the new Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Biomedicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the city has successfully positioned itself in international competition. This research institute – unique in Europe – further strengthens Vienna’s role as a leading economic and scientific hub and provides groundbreaking impulses for the medicine of the future.

• Solid base: 6 universities, 2 universities of applied sciences, and 11 non-university research institutions.
• Employment: 12,634 people work in the academic life sciences sector.
• Scientific excellence: In 2023, 8,800 peer-reviewed publications with international collaboration were produced.
• Student growth: +6% increase to 34,145 life sciences students (2020–2023)
  • Universities of Applied Sciences: +32%
  • Universities: +4%
• Drivers of innovation: 36 university spin-offs in Vienna
  • 23 in biotech/pharma
  • 13 in medtech
  • 20 biotech and 7 medtech spin-offs are active in R&D or production.

Get the right support for your life sciences project: Together with our expert Philipp Hainzl, we’ll help you identify which partnerships make sense for your life sciences project and which funding opportunities are available.

The Vienna Business Agency supports SMEs, startups, research institutions, aspiring founders, and large companies in the life sciences sector. 
Verwirklichen Sie Ihr Life Sciences-Projekt mit uns.Bring your life sciences project to life – with us.