Austria is an attractive location for research in the life sciences

University Hospital Vienna (AKH Vienna) and the Medical University of Vienna were ranked 20th in the world in Newsweek’s prestigiousNewsweek’s prestigious () 2026 World’s Best Hospitals ranking. For the 2026 edition, over 2,500 hospitals in 32 countries were analysed. The result highlights the close integration of patient care, research and teaching at the Medical University of Vienna. 

The top 20 ranking also shows that: Austria’s healthcare system and medical researchresearch () are among the best in the world.

The Austrian capital, Vienna, is one of Europe’s leading centres for clinical research and translational medicine, largely due to the close collaboration between University Hospital Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna. With around 8,600 students, the Medical University of Vienna is also the largest medical training institution in the German-speaking world today and one of the most prestigious in Europe.  

The Medical Universities of Graz and Innsbruck also offer an attractive environment for clinical research. The FWF-funded Cluster of Excellence "MetAge",FWF-funded Cluster of Excellence "MetAge", () which includes the Medical Universities of Vienna and Graz and the University of Graz, is investigating how disturbances in metabolic control influence the risk of age-related diseases and, at the same time, is conducting clinical trials of targeted dietary interventions. 

With the Austrian Cancer Center NetworkAustrian Cancer Center Network (), the medical universities of Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna aim to join forces to combat cancer through innovative science. This also marked the establishment of one of the first transnational partnerships between cancer centres in Europe, with the Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research.

The Medical University of GrazMedical University of Graz () and Boehringer Ingelheim recently announced the opening of a new Christian Doppler Laboratory dedicated to the development of new therapies for lung cancer . The seven-year research programmeresearch programme () focuses on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigates innovative ways of triggering so-called immunogenic cell death – a mechanism that makes it easier for the immune system to recognise and specifically target tumour cells.

The Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials (KKS)Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials (KKS) () at Medical University of InnsbruckMedical University of Innsbruck () supports researchers, doctors and industry in conducting clinical trials. 

The Life Sciences Center Salzburg (LSCS) is establishing a new inter-university centrenew inter-university centre () to strengthen Salzburg as a hub for research and innovation. The centre is a joint venture between the University of Salzburg and Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), in close cooperation with Salzburg University Hospital (SALK). The focus is on cancer research and immunology, neuroscience and regenerative medicine.

For international pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, investors and research partners, this ranking is an important indicator: Austria offers a strong life sciences ecosystemlife sciences ecosystem () with excellent clinical research, modern infrastructure and international networks.

With facilities such as the newly established Center for Translational Medicine (CTM)Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) (), Vienna is increasingly becoming a strategic hub for early-stage drug development and clinical trials in Europe.

This creates an attractive environment for life sciences companies to conduct ‘first-in-human’ clinical trials. This refers to an early stage of clinical drug development, during which a new type of therapeutic candidate or vaccine is tested in humans for the first time. 

Companies can benefit from comprehensive expertise spanning the preclinical phase through to Phases 1 and 2, as well as access to volunteers and patients as study participants.

With the completion of the new MedUni Vienna buildingsnew MedUni Vienna buildings (), researchers now have access to five times as much laboratory space.

Find out more about the Life Sciences Hub Austria