Life Sciences in Vienna
A growing sector with scientific tradition
Vienna can look back on an excellent scientific tradition in the field of medical research. Semmelweis, Billroth and Landsteiner are part of this history. The outstanding reputation of the Vienna Medical Schools of the past is carried on today – in academia and on the business side. 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.
Learn more about the life sciences sector in Vienna and across Austria
Dynamic start-ups meet big players
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. In addition to the international companies, a dynamic start-up scene has been developing since the 1990s. Almost 650 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies produce or develop products and processes in these fields in Vienna or are active as suppliers, service or sales companies. These enterprises employed 33,655 people and generated 22.7 billion euros in sales in 2023. Thereof, more than 260 companies carry out research or develop and produce innovative products. Dedicated life sciences companies invested over 350 million euros in research and development.
Facts and figures on Vienna's life sciences companies
In today’s highly uncertain global environment, political stability and well-functioning institutions are crucial factors for business locations. Austria performs very well in this regard – as it does in terms of infrastructure and quality of life. A key factor in attracting investment and driving innovation is the research premium. We must secure and ideally expand it. As a research-driven pharmaceutical company, we place great value on a strong scientific environment that includes universities, hospitals, and small biotech companies. With the Campus Vienna Biocenter, Vienna offers an internationally recognized hub that not only hosts academic institutions, but also start-ups, and organizations dedicated to science communication. This provides an ideal setting for collaboration and forms the foundation for continued investment. Boehringer Ingelheim has invested more than one billion euros in expanding its local infrastructure over the past ten years – and we remain committed to continued growth.
Pavol Dobrocky
Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG
Focusing on improving health
Besides the strong biotech departments of large companies, Vienna is proud of being home to about 120 younger dedicated biotechnology companies. Most of them focus on health issues: cancer, diseases of the blood, blood-forming organs and the immune system as well as infectious diseases are center stage. In addition, new frontiers beyond medicine are being addressed by Vienna’s vibrant biotech community.
Additional 79 dedicated medical device companies are located in Vienna. These have succeeded in establishing particular strengths in the areas of software and in-vitro diagnostics.
Scientific excellence at the heart of Europe
Vienna is clearly in first place in Austria when it comes to education and research in the field of life sciences. Six universities, two universities of applied sciences and eleven non-university research institutes employ about 12,600 members of staff. With roughly 34,100 students in the area of life sciences, Vienna educates more young scientists than the rest of Austria. A multitude of publications (8,800 in 2023) in international journals is evidence of the excellent research work in Vienna.
Facts and figures on Vienna's life sciences research and education landscape
The Medical University of Vienna is a cornerstone of innovation in Vienna’s business and research landscape – particularly in the areas of clinical trials, translational research, and advanced medical care. Its close collaboration with both start-ups and established industry leaders fosters the development of groundbreaking therapies and diagnostic solutions. Combining world-class basic research, cutting-edge technologies, access to intellectual property, and a strong commitment to generating benefits for patients, MedUni Vienna stands out as a trusted and powerful partner for the global life sciences industry.
Michaela Fritz
Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Medical University of Vienna
Clinical expertise awaits partners
Vienna is Austria’s most important node for high-end medicine. Health professionals at 26 hospitals not only serve Vienna’s over 2 million inhabitants, but the whole Vienna region providing home to more than 3.9 million people. Experienced partners for clinical research push back the frontiers of knowledge to the benefit of patients.
In addition, clinical trials in collaboration with commercial partners are conducted. A new Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) including a clinical phase 1/2 unit with 30 beds, GMP-certified manufacturing capacities for cell and gene therapies, and labs for toxicology will open in Vienna in 2026.