Why Vienna is Europe's hidden gem for life sciences

Local Italy

2 days ago

With its impressive architecture and coffee house-lined streets, Vienna is a city like no other. Situated on the banks of the Danube, it is steeped in history and has long been a cultural capital of Europe.
These days, however, the city is just as defined by its future as its past. Thanks to forward-thinking research centres, top-ranked universities and an expanding base of life sciences companies, Vienna is a rising powerhouse in biotech, medtech, and pharmaceutical research.
Morning in Vienna's city centre, home to a growing community of global researchers
'Life sciences are one of Vienna's key drivers of innovation,' said Dominic Weiss, Managing Director of the Vienna Business Agency, which supports the ecosystem through funding programs, location scouting and other expert support, such as immigration advice. 'Over many years, life sciences companies ranging from international pharmaceutical giants to startups working on the bleeding edge of technology have repeatedly chosen to move to, invest and expand in this city, collaborating with local universities to create an internationally competitive hub that produces game-changing therapies, devices and diagnostic tools.'
The sector is made up of over 750 organisations, generating about €22.7 billion a year. The vast majority of revenue – just over 80 percent – stems from the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors alone. More than 49,000 people currently work in life sciences – and the numbers are rising as ever more international experts are drawn into the ecosystem.
'Part of what makes Vienna an attractive location for life science companies is that the city combines an excellent research landscape and university talent pool with a great deal of attractiveness for top international researchers and executives,' Weiss added. 'Moving to Vienna is not a hard sell.'
Combining top-ranked livability, affordability and a strong work-life balance, it's no wonder that international researchers and entrepreneurs are choosing to call Vienna home. In fact, around 40 percent of the Austrian capital's two million residents were born abroad, giving the city a truly diverse feel.
Thriving life sciences hub
Some of the world's top life science firms – including pharma giants Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis – have offices in Vienna. Meanwhile, cutting-edge research institutions working on everything from tissue regeneration and cancer therapies to prosthetics are well established in the Austrian capital.
What really sets Vienna apart is how closely connected this ecosystem is. Research labs, clinical research facilities and companies are often within walking distance of each other.
'This spatial density creates collaboration opportunities and translational potential that researchers find on par with top global locations,' says Dr Michael Stampfer, Managing Director of the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF).
Groundbreaking research is underway in facilities such as the Vienna BioCenter, which has more than 2,000 scientists covering fields like cancer biology, immunology, and RNA therapeutics.
One standout project is US biochemist Elly Tanaka's work in regeneration biology. By studying animals that can regrow limbs and tissues, Tanaka's lab at the IMP is researching potential treatments for human diseases.
And the city isn't slowing down. The soon-to-launch AITHYRA Institute, a revolutionary research hub for biomedical AI, will be one of the first of its kind in Europe.
With Michael Bronstein, DeepMind Professor of AI at the University of Oxford, at the helm, the institute will bring together experts and apply state-of-the-art technology to better understand diseases, speed up diagnoses, and help develop new treatments.
Dr Stampfer sees this growth as part of a larger trend. He describes Vienna's life sciences sector as being 'on a qualitative and quantitative growth course', which means there are 'lots of attractive positions available' for international talent.
Young pharmacy researchers.
Supportive community and funding opportunities
Moving to a new country can feel daunting but there is plenty of support for newcomers. The Vienna Business Agency offers free consultations, events and guidance to researchers and entrepreneurs on everything from funding applications to finding a flat.
Support is also available at the WWTF, which provides research funding as well as a Dual Career Service to assist researchers and their partners in settling in Vienna. According to Dr Stampfer, researchers are 'pleasantly surprised by our comprehensive support system for international scientists and the efficiency of our funding administration'.
LISAvienna, the city's life sciences platform, offers targeted support for biotech and digital health startups, including help with grants, contacts and networking.
Vienna is also gaining recognition on the global stage. Researchers are publishing in prestigious journals, while centres such as the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), are winning competitive European Research Council grants.
'We also witness an expanding life sciences startup ecosystem, and venture capital funds taking a closer look at what is happening in Vienna,' Dr Stampfer adds.
Meanwhile, international recruitment is strong, particularly among early-career scientists. This can be seen in initiatives such as the WWTF's Vienna Research Groups programme. Dr Stampfer says the rising number of young people coming to Vienna 'creates a vibrant research environment with fresh perspectives'.
Working in one of Vienna's many welcoming cafés.
Life beyond the lab
Science isn't the only reason for choosing Wien. The city is regularly crowned one of the most liveable in the world due to its excellent infrastructure, healthcare, cultural scene and green space.
Residents enjoy affordable and efficient public transport alongside family-friendly policies like free childcare for young children.
Vienna's international connections are another advantage. Thanks to a major airport and fast train links it's easy to travel around Europe or further afield.
'The central European location and rich cultural landscape exceed expectations, even for those with high initial hopes,' says Dr Stampfer.
Of course, there is the odd Viennese quirk. 'Researchers might be a little surprised by the playful grumpiness of our local coffee house waiters – and the many urban legends around it,' adds Dr Stampfer. 'But this is something people get used to quickly.'
'Building the future'
From Freud's psychoanalysis to Schrödinger's quantum theory, Vienna has long attracted brilliant minds. That tradition has continued with major contributions to fields such as gene editing, attosecond physics and quantum entanglement.
Now, new projects in digital medicine and AI-driven health research are opening up even more possibilities. With centres like AITHYRA on the horizon, a flourishing startup scene and a growing international community, Vienna is quickly becoming the top choice for researchers and entrepreneurs looking for a European base.
Through the platform ViennaBusiness, the city is now offering expert consultations and other support to international researchers and life-science companies interested in exploring the city.
'It's exciting to see great minds flourish in Vienna,' says Dr Stampfer. 'We are building the future here.'