Austria: A Hotspot for Life Sciences

Austria provides exceptional conditions for companies in the life sciences industry. Close collaboration between research institutions and the business sector creates an innovation-friendly environment that sets international benchmarks. With a deep talent pool of over 60,000 highly qualified professionals, the country offers a clear competitive edge. Targeted support measures—such as a 14% research tax credit—encourage investment in research and development. Add to this a robust infrastructure and easy access to research data. Boehringer Ingelheim and the start-up Elio are just two examples: the latter aims to make the pharmaceutical industry more sustainable through an AI-powered software platform.

World-Class Research and Development 

Vienna is home to Boehringer Ingelheim’s global cancer research centrecancer research centre (), where new therapeutic approaches are being developed—including a treatment for a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer that is now nearing regulatory approval. Over the past decade, the German pharmaceutical company has invested more than one billion euros at the site and is set to expand its research activities even further. A key milestone came in September 2024 with the opening of the Angelika Amon Research Building—a €60 million facility equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories designed to support around 150 researchers. Ongoing collaboration with universities, biotech firms, and leading research institutes such as the Research Institute of Research Institute of ()Molecular Molecular ()Pathology (IMP) at the Vienna BioCenter remains central to its strategy. 

The Swiss biotech company Vaccentis is working on a personalised cancer vaccine for renal cell carcinoma, supported by a strong research presence in Austria. Unlike the mRNA-based vaccines developed by major pharmaceutical companies, this approach is founded on fully individualised immunotherapy. Tumour cells from each patient are analysed to create a tailor-made vaccine. Early clinical studies have shown promising results, and approval is considered realistic by 2029. Austria, with VaccentisVaccentis (), plays a central role in the project: tumour samples are analysed at the Technology and Research Centre in Krems, and the vaccine doses are produced in Wels. The company is also planning to establish a research and development centre in Eastern Austria later this year to consolidate its operations. 

Artificial Intelligence for the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sectors 

SymptomaSymptoma () is one of Europe’s leading providers of AI-based solutions for the healthcare sector. Its digital symptom checker has achieved an accuracy rate of over 96%. In partnership with the district hospital in St. Johann in Tirol, this Vienna-based HealthTech start-up is launching Europe’s first AI-supported outpatient clinic. The software assists with patient admissions, clinical decision-making and the preparation of medical reports. The project is funded by the regional government of Tyrol. Backed by 14 years of research and continuous development, this Austrian digital health assistant has become a globally successful tool.  

ElioElio () helps pharmaceutical companies factor ecological considerations into the design phase of product development, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of their products. The AI-driven software analyses materials and production processes. The company was founded in 2021 in the United States by the highly talented Austrian-born bioengineer Kami Krista, then just 22 years old. Elio has since expanded into Europe with the launch of a FlexCo in Austria. Recently, the start-up secured around USD 2 million in a pre-seed funding round. Pilot projects are already underway, including collaborations with Switzerland’s ten23 health and several pharmaceutical partners. In partnership with Cytiva and My Green Lab, Elio has also launched the world’s first Pharma Eco-Design Consortium—an initiative developing technology-enabled eco-design solutions and promoting sustainability-focused decision-making across the pharmaceutical value chain. 

Read more about the industry here: Life Sciences in AustriaLife Sciences in Austria ()