Opening address by Gitanas NausÄ—da, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the Life Sciences Baltics 2025

Distinguished leaders of the science and business communities,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honor to open this year's Life Sciences Baltics event. I am sincerely grateful to the organizers for bringing us all together.

Year after year, this important forum shapes our region's contributions to global health and innovation. Life Sciences Baltics has grown into a regional engine of collaboration, investment and scientific excellence.

The success of this forum reflects Lithuania's deep and long connection with life sciences. Ever since the early 19th century, when Professor Andrius Sniadeckis laid foundations for natural sciences, our universities and laboratories have been centers of scientific advancement.

Most recently, Lithuanian scientists, among them the distinguished Professor Virginijus Šikšnys, have contributed significantly to the gene-editing revolution.

Life sciences are one of Lithuania's most cherished success stories, demonstrating our ability to make a global impact. To gain ever more momentum, we are also building a vast network of regional and global partnerships.

Since 2018, when Lithuania became an associate member and research partner at CERN, we are investing in nuclear medicine capabilities, including a modern cyclotron at Kaunas Clinics.

And since 2019, Lithuania, as a full member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is an active partner in European Research Infrastructures.

Our new modern facilities - life sciences centers at universities, hospital research units and private-sector laboratories - make new discoveries possible. They enable translational research from bench to bedside and contribute to a more effective and efficient patient-centric healthcare.

Finally, Lithuania's life sciences sector also has great economic value. It creates nearly 3 percent of national GDP, and our goal is to double this contribution. To achieve this, we will have to focus more on scale, exports and value-added work in biomanufacturing and personalized medicine.

Right now, we are on the right track. Lithuania ranks third among OECD countries in biotech R&D spending intensity. Around 86 percent of our pharmaceutical and healthcare products are exported to over 100 countries. We produce world-class STEM graduates ready for industry and research.

Most importantly, we feel the responsibility to improve and push forward.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, Lithuania offers a full value chain - both for innovators and for investors.

This opportunity combines advanced clinical research with biomanufacturing and logistics, supported by a skilled workforce and incentives that reduce red tape. And this offer will only get better, I can promise you that!

We already see inspiring private-sector engagement. The BioCity development project, initiated by distinguished Professor Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, alone is valued at 7 billion euros.

My wish is that today's event brings not only interesting discussions and memorable meetings, but also new, valuable ideas.

Let it contribute to the innovation and growth across the Baltic region and all of Europe!