The MedTech Industry in Lithuania
- Why Lithuania
- Lithuania’s MedTech capabilities
- Already here
- Downloads
- News & Events
- Why Lithuania
- Lithuania’s MedTech capabilities
- Already here
- Downloads
- News & Events
Lithuania’s MedTech sector is flourishing, driven by a unique intersection of medical and engineering expertise, coupled with advanced software development and manufacturing capabilities. This thriving ecosystem supports innovation across medical diagnostics, AI/ML in imaging, 3D printing, sensors, IT, and laser technologies, making Lithuania a prime destination for MedTech investments.
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~2.7%of Lithuania‘s GDP is generated by the Life Sciences sector, with the goal to generate 5% of GDP by 2030 -
22%Lithuania’s Life Sciences industry grows by 22% on average annually -
#2 and #3 in the EUBoth Vilnius and Kaunas excel in the MedTech industry, ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively in the EU.Source: Startup Ecosystem Report, 2024
Strategic Advantages of Investing in Lithuania’s MedTech Industry
Robust Talent and Expertise
Lithuania boasts a highly skilled workforce with a strong focus on STEM education. This ensures a continuous supply of top-tier talent ready to meet the demands of the MedTech industry.
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1 in 4students enrolled in tertiary education study a STEM disciplineSource: Eurostat, 2021 -
1st globallyfor digital skills availabilitySource: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2023 -
2nd globallyfor 'tertiary education efficiency’, which includes enrolment in higher education and the number of graduates in key innovation sectorsSource: Bloomberg Innovation Index, 2020
Booming Innovation Ecosystem
Significant investments in R&D infrastructure have positioned Lithuania as a hub for innovation. With state-of-the-art facilities in science valleys and strong expertise in developing groundbreaking technologies, the country provides fertile ground for creating cutting-edge healthcare solutions.
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3rd among OECD countries
for Biotechnology R&D spending intensity (as % of value added).
Source: Labiotech, 2024
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Internationally recognized breakthroughs in research, from Professor Virginijus Šikšnys’ contributions to CRISPR technology development (Kavli Prize, 2018) to Professor Arminas Ragauskas’ development of non-invasive human brain injury monitoring devices (European Inventor of the Year, 2016).
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Generous tax incentives for R&D activities, including:
- 3x R&D cost deduction
- 5% reduced corporate profit tax for patented products.
A Growing Hub of Clinical Research
Lithuania offers an attractive environment for conducting clinical trials, with swift approval processes and two of the country’s main hospitals – Vilnius Santara and Kaunas Clinics – in close proximity. Phase III trials are particularly popular, with research areas focusing on gastroenterology, oncology, and endocrinology.
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Streamlined and EU-integrated 2-step clinical trial application process enables companies to receive approval within 60 days
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Access to highly qualified local and leading international CRO organizations such as Paraxel, IQVIA, Cureline, Covance, and Biomapas.
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Top-tier clinical talent, wide-scope access to anonymized secondary clinical data, and extensive partnerships across the region make Lithuania a go-to choice for clinical trials for companies such as AstraZeneca, La Roche, Bayer, Sanofi, Novartis, and others.
Strategic Location and Cost Advantages
Lithuania offers a cost-efficient base for medical device manufacturers, providing competitive pricing compared to Western Europe. Located at the logistical center of the Baltics, Lithuania also offers easy access to the EU market, ensuring efficient logistics for MedTech companies.
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Lithuania’s 3 international airports and 1 cargo-only airport provide access to major European locations within 2-3 hours.
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Klaipėda’s ice-free port is the largest port in the Baltics, able to handle up to 70 million tons of cargo annually.
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Rail connections to Western Europe and Asia. The Rail Baltica railway will connect Finland to Poland for both passenger and freight traffic by 2030.
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Annual labour cost comparison for a standard medical device manufacturing facility
Lithuania’s MedTech Capabilities
Medical Device Manufacturing
Highly qualified talent, top-tier infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment allow Lithuania to excel in manufacturing single-use devices, durable medical equipment, and in vitro diagnostic products. Global segment leaders like Hollister, Intersurgical, and Esco Life Sciences have all selected Lithuania as their primary location in the region and are continuously expanding operations.
Diagnostic Imaging and Patient Monitoring
Lithuania’s strong medical competencies, particularly in radiology, are rapidly merging with its growing capabilities in AI and ML, creating a conducive environment for innovation in diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring. The country’s network of hospitals and universities supports this growth, exemplified by companies like Oxipit, which developed the first fully autonomous AI medical imaging application.
Research, Prototyping and Testing
The combination of a rapidly growing market, strong engineering capabilities, a continuously improving regulatory environment—particularly in clinical trials—and access to secondary clinical data has made Lithuania a top choice for clinical trials, medical device prototyping, and other MedTech industry-supporting services.
Future Medical Technologies
Lithuania is making significant strides in emerging fields such as biosensors, wearables, and bionics. This progress is made possible by the country’s strong interdisciplinary workforce and university-industry partnerships, supported by 100,000 academic professionals and students from the Santaka and Santara Science Valleys, two major science hubs situated just an hour apart.
MedTech Companies in Lithuania
International Success Stories
Local Innovators
Produces a smart wearable that detects atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, and an innovative artificial lung ventilator with IoT monitoring functions.
Focusing on medical imaging, has introduced AI/Deep Learning innovations, such as the first AI chest X-Ray radiology suite for healthy patient reports.
Combines expertise in diagnostics and robotics to develop advanced devices, such as an autonomous non-invasive absolute intracranial pressure measurement device based on ultrasound doppler technology.
Has developed Sentante – the first fully-robotic teleoperated system for endovascular interventions. Designed for remote use, it protects physicians from harmful X-rays and opens up tele-surgery possibilities.
Produces spectroscopic sensor solutions that detect and record levels of analytes in blood such as glucose, lactate, urea, cholesterol, ethanol – and importantly, levels of alcohol.
Collaborates with various universities, research teams and manufacturing companies to provide high quality ultrasound engines and transducers for clinical, veterinary, and research applications.
Join Lithuania’s Thriving MedTech Industry
Lithuania’s MedTech sector is a testament to the country’s commitment to innovation, quality, and growth. With a strategic location, a highly skilled workforce, and robust governmental support, Lithuania offers unparalleled opportunities for MedTech businesses seeking to innovate and expand.
Want to learn more about medtech opportunities?
Lithuania has a lot to offer, and we’re here to help you discover it. At Invest Lithuania, our team is here to make your business journey smoother. From connecting you with the right people to accessing valuable resources, we take care of the details so you can drive your business forward.
Related materials
to download
What’s happening
in the sector
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Life SciencesIntersurgical expands in Lithuania, plans to invest €10 million in advanced manufacturingMar 19, 2024 -
Life SciencesBoutique Life Sciences advisory Avance opens office in VilniusFeb 20, 2024 -
New investmentsHollister Lietuva increases production capacity and launches new incentive programmeDec 05, 2023