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In recent years, a growing biotechnology hub in Europe, Lithuania, has emerged as a tough player in the global biotechnology arena. A country known for its robust educational system and scientific innovations now exports 95% of its life sciences production globally with almost 30% landing in the United States, a market known for its advanced R&D. 

Europe’s Emerging Biotech Hub

With its staggering 11-fold increase of revenue over the decade,Lithuania’s biotechnology sector is rapidly gaining recognition for its diverse pool of life sciences solutions. 

“There are around 3000 researchers and scientists working in biotech, spanning innovations in such fields as CDMO, microfluidics, clinical trials, medical devices, gene editing-CRISPR technology and gene therapy, blue/marine biotechnologies, protein design, and AI-based medical solutions. The Lithuanian government has also played and still plays a vital role, fostering a conducive environment for biotech innovation through strategic investments and supportive policies,” says Karolis Karalevičius, Business Community Manager at InnoHub Lithuania.

Recently, InnoHub Lithuania, a division by the non-profit Lithuanian governmental agency Innovation Agency Lithuania, was opened to facilitate the integration between Lithuanian and the US innovation ecosystems, seeking to provide visibility to the most innovative Lithuanian entrepreneurs, connecting them to the local ecosystem and other needed resources in the US. Last month, InnoHub organized an event in San Diego where 10 Lithuanian companies pitched their ideas to US based Lithuanians working in biotech sector.   

“While the achievements of Lithuanian biotech companies are noteworthy and can be of much use for the US companies, entering such a market is not without challenges. Navigating the regulatory landscape, securing funding, finding partners and clientele, and maintaining competitive advantage is complex. Meeting these needs, InnoHub Lithuania boasts competent local experts and mentors to help Lithuanian biotech navigate locally, and aims to be the local spot for US biotech companies, in need of reliable Lithuanian partners,” adds Karalevičius.

The Lithuanian biotechnology industry is anchored by several key players whose products and services are gaining awareness in the US. These companies are not only advancing scientific research but also enhancing the quality of healthcare through their innovative solutions:

Atrandi Biosciences specializes in microfluidic technologies that enhance single-cell analysis and high-throughput screening. Their products, such as the ONYX droplet generator and STYX HTS platform, simplify complex workflows by combining droplet generation, manipulation, and sorting with fluorescence analysis. Their Semi-Permeable Capsules (SPCs) support multi-step molecular analysis, maintaining single-cell compartmentalization under various conditions. Atrandi’s solutions are trusted by laboratories worldwide, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, accelerating research in molecular biology and diagnostics.

Biomatter Designs is a synthetic biology company that creates new proteins for health and sustainable manufacturing applications. The company has created the Intelligent Architecture™ platform, which addresses the limitations of current engineering approaches to unlock completely new horizons for protein design and development.

Caszyme is an innovative company specializing in CRISPR technology. They develop advanced CRISPR-based solutions for therapeutics, agriculture, diagnostics, research and industrial biotechnology. With strong collaborations worldwide, Caszyme leverages its expertise to create customized, market-ready products.

Cureline Baltic is a preclinical and translational research Contract Research Organization (CRO) based in Vilnius, Lithuania. It specializes in human biospecimen procurement, preclinical animal research, and laboratory services, focusing on oncology, immunology, and infectious diseases. As part of the global Cureline Group, they serve clients in both the US and European markets, providing essential support for drug and diagnostics development.

Memel Biotech, based in Klaipėda, Lithuania, specializes in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)​. The company offers GMP-compliant facilities and comprehensive services, including precision medicine research, drug development, and regulatory support​. Its strategic location serves as an EU gateway, facilitating collaborations between different markets, bolstered by partnerships like the one with THERABEST Korea​. Memel Biotech’s integration with the US-based Cureline Group further enhances its global reach and expertise​.

Northway Biotech, another prominent CDMO, specializes in developing and manufacturing biopharmaceuticals. The company’s focus on monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins has positioned it as a valuable partner for US biotech firms seeking innovative therapies. Northway Biotech’s commitment to quality and regulatory compliance has earned it a strong reputation, enabling it to secure partnerships with leading US companies. In 2021, Northway Biotech opened its 30,000-square-foot process development and cGMP manufacturing site in Waltham, Massachusetts to support the market with microbial and mammalian cell culture-based products for the development of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins.

Spike provides a unified API for accessing real-time health data from over 300 wearable devices and IoT products. Its platform simplifies integration for developers by offering well-documented, easy-to-implement APIs and SDKs, allowing quick testing and development. Spike enhances applications by delivering personalized insights and increasing user retention through standardized, normalized data. Recently, the Lithuanian B2B healthtech data tech startup as announced the successful close of an €3.2 million oversubscribed seed round, co-led by Practica Capital and TheVentureCity with participation from Silicon Valley, New York, and other investors.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics, a subsidiary of the global giant Thermo Fisher Scientific, is a cornerstone of Lithuania’s biotech landscape. Specializing in developing and producing molecular biology products, the Lithuanian branch provides high-quality reagents and instruments to researchers across the US. Their contributions have been particularly significant in genetic research and diagnostics, where top-tier research institutions and pharmaceutical companies utilize their products. In fact, Fermentas, a well-known Lithuanian biotechnology company specializing in discovering and producing molecular biology products for life science research and diagnostics, has been a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics Since 2010.

Six Lithuanian companies specializing in areas ranging from medical technology to IT solutions are poised to make their mark on the US market, thanks to the Global Access Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Over an intensive six-month period, these companies will collaborate with an assigned MBA team to carry out market analysis, develop a marketing strategy, and create a business plan. 

The Global Access Program (GAP) market entry plan is developed by business professionals pursuing their MBA degrees at UCLA Anderson School of Management. This year, participation in the program is funded through InnoHub Lithuania, established by Innovation Agency Lithuania.  

The Business Community Manager at InnoHub Lithuania Karolis Karalevičius expressed his excitement to support the participants over this six-month journey. “As a new organization, InnoHub is looking forward to experiencing firsthand the impact this partnership will have in providing US market-specific insights and guidance for our membership. As a team, we hope to relay many of the learnings to inform other Lithuanian companies about ways they can prepare for the US market earlier and approach it more strategically. We will support those learnings with the education and mentor network we offer.” 

From 2018 to 2023, a total of 18 Lithuanian companies participated in the program through the facilitation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Los Angeles.

According to Laima Jurevičienė, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in Los Angeles, such programs prepare companies for a smooth entry into the world’s largest and the most competitive market: “These programs offer high-value research and professional expertise, enabling Lithuanian businesses to grow and scale faster internationally, thus contributing to the overall growth of Lithuanian exports to the US market.” 

“We are particularly excited that the 6 new companies, some of which being supported by Innovation Agency Lithuania, will be a great enlargement of Lithuania’s partnership with UCLA in 2024,” said Ms. Jurevičienė.  

Companies that will be participating in the program this year are:  

• Doclogix  
• Feetsee (Diabetis JSC) 
• Oixio  
• Optoman  
• Reiz Tech  
• TeleSoftas  

When asked about the importance of expanding their business across the Atlantic, Mantas Kondratavičius, Director of Diabetis JCS, emphasized that the US market has the most early adopters in the remote-monitoring medical innovation systems field and is essential for the company due to its vast consumer base and significant purchasing power. “We want to feel the power of US business schools and the Californian drive to move business forward. We have a talented team, and now we must understand the best market entry scenarios. Besides that, the American team has a local business network and wide access to various useful resources,” said Mr. Kondratavičius.

The team of yet another participant of this year’s program, Oixio, are looking forward to getting fresh perspectives, receiving candid, actionable feedback, and hands-on mentorship. “Participating in the GAP is not just about gaining knowledge – it is about transforming our approach and thinking about expansion. We believe that through such collaborations, we can refine our strategies, overcome cultural and operational barriers, and build strong relationships and presence in the US market,” said Oixio Customer Experience Manager Andrius Martinonis.   

Reiz Tech anticipates that GAP will provide them with detailed insights into the US market, helping them understand customer needs and the competitive landscape better, which in turn will lead the company towards long-term success. “This knowledge is crucial for the development of a strategic business plan tailored for Reiz Studio and Skillit, our B2B product designed to revolutionize organizational structuring, personalized development, and value creation,” said CEO of Reiz Tech Valdas Šimas. The team also expects that the program will facilitate valuable networking opportunities and provide expert feedback on their business model and product.

In its 24-year history, GAP has enabled companies to form strategic partnerships, secure financing, and establish subsidiaries and distribution networks, leading to acquisitions for some. To date, 820 companies have elevated their business operations through the program.