Second BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA in Innsbruck drives life science innovation, collaboration and growth

Second BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA in Innsbruck drives life science innovation, collaboration and growth

Innsbruck, Austria - October 14, 2024. The second edition of the BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA, successfully concluded in Innsbruck last Friday in Innsbruck, gathered participants from 13 countries and further solidified the event’s reputation as a premier forum for the Austrian biotechnology community. Co-organized by BIOTECH AUSTRIA, the association of the Austrian biotechnology industry, as well as the local organizations Standortagentur Tirol and the Styrian cluster organization Human.technology Styria, the summit provided a dynamic platform for industry leaders, innovators, and investors to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and accelerate innovation in biotechnology.

Peter Llewellyn-Davies, President of BIOTECH AUSTRIA (BTA), commented on the event’s success: “The summit has solidified its position as a vital platform for Austria’s growing biotech sector. The high turnout and engagement this year exceeded expectations and underscore the increasing importance of collaboration and innovation, which are essential to drive the industry forward. I would also like to thank our co-hosts as well as industry leaders in Innsbruck such as the BTA board colleague Gregor Wick, whose regional contribution was invaluable.”

Keynotes and impulse speeches from global thought leaders and successful Austrian biotech entrepreneurs and scientists such as Patrick Trojer (TRIANA Biomedicines), Nicole Schlautmann (MSD Austria), Josef Penninger (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research), Alexander von Gabain (Valneva) and Severin Schwan (Roche) captured the audience’s attention with insights into how to successfully found a biotech company, funding strategies, and the groundbreaking innovations and science that drive the sector forward. Panels and discussions tackled pressing industry themes, such as emerging trends in biotechnology, funding opportunities for start-ups and established companies, venture capital’s role in fueling biotech start-ups and strategies for successful exits. High-profile participants included international investors such as MIG Capital or Wellington Partners, alongside pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Roche.

Dr. Klaus Weinberger, CEO at the Health Hub Tirol, commented: “Innsbruck proved to be the ideal setting for this year’s summit, thanks to its rich research environment and the strong local biotech community. We are pleased that, together with BIOTECH AUSTRIA and Human.technology Styria, we succeeded in hosting such a forward-thinking and impactful event, which facilitated productive discussion and connections in an inspiring setting.”

Beyond the formal sessions, the summit offered vibrant networking opportunities, from the pre-conference Hike & Dine to Umbrüggler Alm and the networking dinner at Adlers Rooftop Bar overlooking Innsbruck, to the 1:1 partnering program and start-up pitches. The bustling start-up area proved a valuable space for emerging biotech companies to pitch their ideas and connect with investors.

This year’s BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA was already fully booked two weeks in advance, exceeding expectations with around 250 participants from 13 countries. Looking ahead, the BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA 2025 is scheduled for Graz from October 23-24, 2025.

Lejla Pock, CEO at Human.technology Styria, added: “With the success of this year’s event and the positive feedback received, we are already looking forward to expanding the conversation and driving biotech innovation even further with the return of the summit to Graz and its dynamic biotech community in 2025.”

For further information and to revisit highlights of the 2^nd BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA, please visit the BIOTECH SUMMIT AUSTRIA Website.

For high-resolution images, please contact biotechaustria@mc-services.eu.

For post-event inquiries and additional information, please contact:

BIOTECH AUSTRIA

Peter Llewellyn-Davies
President

Christine Reith
Head of Operations
+43 670 6030601
Email: info@biotechaustria.org

Standortagentur Tirol

Klaus Weinberger
CEO Health Hub Tirol

Petra Stöckl
Gesundheitsindustrie & Life Sciences
+43 676 843 101-248
Email: petra.stoeckl@standort-tirol.at

Human.technology Styria

Lejla Pock
CEO

Eva Bucht
PR and Marketing
+43 699 188 99 708
Email: office@human.technology.at

International Media and Investor Relations

MC Services AG

Dr. Cora Kaiser, Dr. Johanna Kobler
+49 89 210 228 0
Email: biotechaustria@mc-services.eu

About BIOTECH AUSTRIA

Since December 2020, BIOTECH AUSTRIA has been the voice of the Austrian biotech industry, enabling and connecting an ecosystem so that businesses can start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation. Biotechnology is one of the fastest developing industries in Austria with high growth dynamics and international competitiveness. BIOTECH AUSTRIA is constantly expanding its network with new members and supporters in order to gather even more expertise under one roof. It is a representation of around 80 biotech and life science companies, from start-ups to big pharma, as well as academic institutions, research organisations and service providers to the sector. More information can be found at www.biotechaustria.org or on LinkedIn.

About Standortagentur Tirol

Tirol is a strong life sciences location. Successful companies and outstanding universities ensure a high research output, over 11,000 jobs and an industry turnover of almost 3 billion euros per year. Almost 100 innovative companies, institutions and universities are networked in the Cluster Life Sciences Tirol, which is based at the Standortagentur Tirol. In addition, the state of Tyrol invests in a location development program for life sciences via Lebensraum Tirol Holding, which is implemented by Standortagentur Tirol and its subsidiaries. This program aims to drive innovation in the fields of medical technology, digital health, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Tyrol is to be positioned as a top European life sciences region by 2030. One pillar of the program is the Health Hub Tirol, which works closely with the Cluster Life Sciences Tirol and Startup.Tirol to provide (lab) space and a wide range of startup services. More information can be found at www.standort-tirol.at and www.healthhub.tirol.

About Human.technology Styria

Human.technology Styria GmbH (HTS) is a cluster organization founded in 2004 with a focus on Life Sciences. It operates in three strategic priority areas: Medical Technology, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, and Health & Sustainability. Additionally, HTS is actively involved in cross-cutting topics such as Start-Ups, Digitalization, and Qualification. The cluster sees itself as a bridge-builder between research, development, and industry, aiming to create synergies, enable innovations, forge new partnerships, and enhance the national and international visibility of the region. Companies within the cluster community benefit from exclusive service offerings related to Contact Management, Business Development, Internationalization, Networking, Events, Communication, and Knowledge Transfer. Within the environment of the Styrian Life Science Cluster, there are 150 companies with 40,000 employees generating a turnover of 5 billion euros. Approximately one-third of this can be attributed to the Pharma/Biotech sector. It is worth highlighting Styria's competence in industrial biotechnology, process development, engineering, and plant design. Key players in R&D such as ACIB, as well as industrial companies like ZETA, VTU Group, and many others, significantly contribute to the success of this industry. More information can be found at www.humantechnology.at.