CZECHIA WANTS TO BE ON THE GLOBAL BIOTECHNOLOGY MAP
The Czech Republic has significant scientific potential, and biotechnology is one of the most promising fields which importance will only grow in the future. We also have many successfully applied research results. However, the biotechnology sector needs greater visibility, both within the country and especially abroad. That is why new initiatives and clusters are emerging to strengthen international cooperation. One such initiative is Prague.bio, founded in 2023. Our goal is to establish Prague as a biotechnology hub in the heart of Europe, representing and connecting key players from companies, startups, research institutions, investors, and government bodies. After more than a year of operation, Prague.bio now has 21 members, including global pharmaceutical companies, promising startups, research institutions, and universities.
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Breakthrough Discoveries and a Tradition Dating Back to the Middle Ages
The Czech Republic has a rich scientific tradition, as well as strong contemporary success stories that we can build on. Historically, our most renowned university, Charles University, is also one of the oldest universities in the world. Founded in 1348, one of its four original faculties was the Faculty of Medicine. Prague also has nearly a century-long tradition in industrial drug manufacturing. One of its manufacturers, the global company Zentiva, traces its origins back to 15. century to a medieval pharmacy in Prague's historic center—where, interestingly, you can still buy medicine today.
Among modern biotechnology success stories, one of the most significant is that of Professor Antonín Holý. Throughout his career, he focused on antiviral drug research, with many of his discoveries still being used today to treat HIV/AIDS, shingles, and hepatitis B. He is also among the 2% most cited scientists in the world, according to Stanford University rankings. His groundbreaking patents were acquired in the 1990s by the American company Gilead Sciences, which grew into a global pharmaceutical giant partly thanks to his work. The licensing revenues from these patents have provided his home institution, the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), with financial resources comparable to those of leading global research centers, enabling it to remain at the forefront of its field and further develop the local biotech ecosystem.
To strengthen international collaboration, IOCB established its first foreign branch in Boston in 2024. The branch, officially operating as IOCB Boston, is the first Czech research institution to expand beyond national borders. The decision to establish a presence in Boston stems from the fact that the Boston-Cambridge area is a global biotechnology hub, home to over 1,000 biotech companies and more than 50 universities. Initially, one research group will be based there, but additional research labs are expected to follow soon. The goal is to connect scientific communities in Prague and Boston, foster innovation, and share knowledge and research opportunities. The Boston location is also expected to help attract highly skilled researchers.
International Collaboration Is Key for Czechia
There is also great potential in international cooperation, particularly in science and economic diplomacy, which helps increase the visibility of Czech biotechnology worldwide. We often find that the mental map of major pharmaceutical and biotech companies seems to end at Germany’s eastern border. However, this also presents an opportunity for us. That is why we closely cooperate with partners in Central Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. The Baltic region is also becoming increasingly important. Biotechnology is a highly globalized and interconnected field. If high-quality research or a promising business project emerges in Czechia, it must have international reach. The Czech market alone is too small. That’s why we actively participate in international conferences and trade fairs—to connect with similar clusters and associations not only in neighboring countries but also worldwide.
The high-tech nature of biotechnology is evident in the success of IOCB and the commercialization of Professor Holý’s research. Ultimately, these efforts result in new drugs that reach millions of patients worldwide. Technology transfer is therefore critical not just for biotechnology but for Czech science and the national economy as a whole. Few people realize that without professional technology transfer, no invention will achieve commercial success. Every year, technology transfer secures billions of Czech crowns in funding for Czech science—funding that does not come from the state budget.
The Role of Investment in Biotech Development
Biotechnology is also a capital-intensive industry, where venture capital funds and corporate investment tools play a crucial role. Few investors focus solely on individual countries like Czechia, Slovakia, or Poland. Instead, they look at broader geographical regions such as Central Europe or Europe as a whole. That is why visibility and collaboration are essential—we need to be on the map, build partnerships, and leverage existing networks and opportunities.
In 2021, i&i Biotech Fund was launched as an investment fund specifically for biotech companies. This fund successfully invests in promising projects, with financial contributions from the European Investment Fund (EIF) as well as notable private investors, accumulating approx. EUR 50 million. The collaboration with EIF also underscores the quality of Czech research. The EIF has very high standards and establishing this biotech fund required two years of negotiations. The decisive factors were the excellence of Czech research institutions and the proven success of spin-off companies. Another fund that has received EIF support for deep-tech and biotech investments is Tensor Ventures. Beyond these major funds, we are also seeing increased interest in biotech from Czech private capital. Family offices, investment tools from successful medtech companies, and even traditional banking institutions are now engaging with the sector.
Education and the Future of Czech Biotech Startups
The growth of startups and spin-offs is closely tied to education. Cultivating the local ecosystem and educating students and future biotech entrepreneurs is a key priority. While Czechs generally have an entrepreneurial mindset, there is a widespread belief that we struggle to connect science with business—leading to research that remains in the lab rather than reaching real-world applications. Unfortunately, statistics confirm this challenge. For example, ETH Zurich produces around 40 spin-offs annually (based on 2023 and 2024 data), while all of Czechia generates fewer than 10 spin-offs per year. However, we see these numbers as an opportunity. We frequently encounter promising projects that need further support, particularly in intellectual property, business knowledge, and investor negotiations. The potential for growth in Czechia is enormous!
Jiri Fusek
Managing Director Prague.bio
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The article was published in BIO-EUROPE Spring 2025 supplement
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