1. Lithuania: Biotechnology
Vladas Algirdas Bumelis
President of “Santara Valley“ association
Lithuania: Biotechnology

2. History of Biotechnology in Lithuania
Several Biotechnology companies were established
1st biopharmaceutical product produced in Lithuania was approved by EMEA
1st Biotechnology plant was established
Development of biopharmaceuticals was started
1970
1975
1984
1989
1990’s
2000’s
2008
2012
1970
1975
1984
1989
1990’s
2000’s
2008
2012
Institute of Applied Enzymology was established
Recombinant interferon α-2b approved for human use.
The 5th biopharmaceutical in the World
1st cGMP-compliant multipurpose biopharmaceutical production facility was established
1st biopharmaceutical product produced in Lithuania was approved by FDA

3. Life Sciences in Lithuania today
20% annual growth
10 biotechnology companies → 8 specialize in pharmaceuticals
Total annual revenues > $ 105 million
90% of biotechnology production is exported to > 70 countries
Annual average export growth – 16.1% (average export growth of total Lithuanian origin goods – 10.2%)
Key strengths:
Pharmaceutical proteins
Chemistry and biochemistry of enzymes and nucleic acids
Regents and tools for molecular biology

4. Highly Educated and Multilingual Talent Pool
1st in EU for share of graduates in total population
6th in EU for language knowledge – half of the population speaks at least two foreign languages
16 academic institutions
1,800 life science students at universities and colleges → 400 graduates each year
36 medals at International high school Science Competitions in the fields of chemistry and biology in the last few years

5. Advanced Research Base
16 R&D centres (incl. 5 major Universities)
A pool of 18,000 researchers and specialists in life sciences
Average annual growth of funds allocated to R&D – 34%
Investment into R&D infrastructure in universities (new facilities, cutting edge technologies) > $ 525 million since 2009
Biotechonological and biochemical research conducted at:
The Institute of Biotechnology (Vilnius University)
The Institute of Biochemistry (Vilnius University)
The Institute of Chemistry (Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology)
Kaunas University of Technology
Centre of Innovative Medicine
Private research centres

6. Science and Business Valleys
5 integrated science, study and business valleys, designated for young innovative companies and academic entities:
Valley,
location
MTEP directions
Funding,
million, $
Santara Valley Vilnius
Biotechnology
Innovative Medical Technologies
Molecular Medicine
125,51
Sunrise Valley Vilnius
Laser and Light technologies
Material Sciences
Nanotechnologies
122,22
Santaka Valley Kaunas
Sustainable chemistry and pharmaceuticals
Future Power Engineering
96,52
Nemunas Valley Kaunas
Agro biotechnology
Food technology
72,16
Maritime Valley Klaipėda
Marine Environment
Coastal research
78,46
Source:

7. Lithuanian Innovation Strategy 2010 - 2020
Lithuanian Innovation Strategy for the Year distinguish high-potential sectors:
Biotechnology and laser technology
Industry of electricity and optical equipment
Clean technologies
Future energies
Creative industries
Welfare and wellness

8. Favorable environment for R&D
Lithuania provides attractive financial incentives for companies to finance their R&D efforts and offers the most favorable tax regime for R&D activities in the EU:
Expenses incurred by companies carrying out R&D projects can be deducted from taxable income three times
Long-term assets used in the R&D activities can be depreciated within two years
Companies carrying out investments into new technologies can reduce their taxable income by up to 50% Investment expenses exceeding this sum can be postponed to later, consecutive tax periods (up to five years)

9. Success Stories: TEVA Sicor Biotech
Lithuanian Sicor Biotech was acquried by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2006
190 employees (+50 more to be hired once the new manufacturing facility in Vilnius has been built)
The only company in Eastern Europe that develops and produces modern recombinant biopharmaceutical products
TevaGrastim©, a medicine used to stimulate the production of white blood cells, that is 30% cheaper than similar drugs on the market, but just as effective
Research in biochemistry, molecular biology, modern gene engineering, biosynthesis, biopharmacy
Produces recombinant proteins for medical use
Products approved by EMEA in 2008
Filgrastim product registered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012

10. Success Stories: ThermoFisher Scientific
The world’s leader in molecular biology acquired Lithuanian Fermentas in 2010
400 employees → 100 of R&D staff
Significant expertise in molecular biology and enzymology:
Discovering restriction enzymes
Genetic engineering
Protein purification
Nucleic acid purification and transfection
A comprehensive line of production distributed in over 70 countries
Extensive R&D experience and state-of-the-art facilities in Lithuania
September 2012: opening of a new manufacturing plant and R&D facility (10,000 sqm)

11. Thank you!