A total budget of 300,000 Eur has been allocated for this call to support 30 projects. Each selected project will receive a 10,000 Eur grant, providing an opportunity to participate in the collaboration and knowledge exchange programme.

Representatives of clusters, businesses, research institutions, and other organizations interested in bioeconomy innovation are warmly invited to attend the online seminar “BIO-INSPIRE: Scaling up Bioeconomy Innovation in Southeastern Europe – Teaming & Knowledge Exchange Open Call”, which will take place on Friday, June 5, at 1:00 PM (Lithuanian time). The webinar is intended to introduce participants to the new BIO-INSPIRE collaboration and knowledge exchange programme open call.

More information and registration for the online event can be found here.

The programme began on 13 May during the LithuaniaBIO-hosted Day of Life Sciences, Biotechnology, and Bioeconomy at the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences in Vilnius, where attendees joined the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) Info Day in Lithuania 2026. The session provided detailed insights into the scope of the upcoming 2026 CBE JU call topics, application rules, and funding conditions. Guest speaker Simone Maccaferri from CBE JU outlined the programme’s strategic priorities and encouraged stronger engagement from regional stakeholders in future European bioeconomy initiatives.

The day concluded with a matchmaking session dedicated to fostering new partnerships and strengthening collaboration for upcoming Horizon Europe and Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking calls. During this session, Yannis Fallas from the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia and Vicky Mosteyrin from Greenovate Europe shared practical insights on building successful international consortia and preparing competitive Horizon Europe proposals. Following the presentations, the matchmaking session was divided into thematic groups moderated by Virginija Kargytė, Inga Matijošytė, and Ieva Gaubė. Interactive discussions and networking sessions allowed participants to identify common interests, exchange ideas, and explore future collaboration opportunities across the European bioeconomy community.

The General Assembly activities continued on 14 and 15 May with dedicated BIO-INSPIRE consortium meetings, work-package overviews, discussions, and knowledge-transfer activities. Partners reviewed ongoing project activities, exchanged updates across work packages, and discussed future actions and next steps for the consortium.

The programme also included a synergies workshop with CBE JU and local stakeholders, focusing on cooperation opportunities between regional and European bioeconomy actors. The workshop further supported collaboration and knowledge exchange among consortium partners and stakeholders.

The event was co-organised by LithuaniaBIO and the BIO-INSPIRE consortium, with contributions from the Research Council of Lithuania, National Contact Points, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), and the DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH project.

BIO-INSPIRE partner LithuaniaBIO leading contacts:
inga.matijosyte@lithuaniabio.com.
virginija.kargyte@lithuaniabio.com

A key part of the programme was the workshop “Leveraging Genetics to Increase Bioeconomy Resilience”, which explored how genetic technologies and innovative research initiatives can contribute to more sustainable and resilient bioeconomy systems. During the session, participants were introduced to several inspiring projects and practical case studies.

DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH coordinator  Darius Danusevičius from Vytautas Magnus University  presented the DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH case on developing a Forest Genetic Monitoring System for the Baltic Sea Region, emphasising the importance of genetic monitoring in strengthening ecosystem resilience and supporting sustainable forest management.

Gintaras Brazauskas from the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry introduced PhenoPlantCC – the International Plant Phenotyping for Healthy Food and Sustainable Agrobiological Resources Competence Centre – highlighting the role of advanced plant phenotyping technologies in developing healthier and more sustainable agricultural systems. Meanwhile, Tomas Urbaitis from the biotechnology company Caszyme shared insights into the application of CRISPR technologies in agri-tech and industrial biotechnology, highlighting the growing potential of gene-editing solutions in the bioeconomy.

The discussions continued with an expert panel focusing on key trends, challenges, and opportunities to leverage genetics to increase bioeconomy resilience. The panel, moderated by Virginija Kargytė (Vytautas Magnus University), brought together representatives from academia, industry, and innovation support organisations, including Darius Kavaliauskas from Vytautas Magnus University, Gintaras Brazauskas from the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Tomas Urbaitis from Caszyme, Goda Grigorianaitė from SeqVision, and Karolina Trakšelytė-Rupšienė from Innovation Agency Lithuania. The discussion highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, technology transfer, and regional collaboration in building a more resilient European bioeconomy ecosystem.

The wider event programme also addressed future European cooperation and funding opportunities, highlighting factors that contribute to strong international project development. Discussions emphasised the value of well-structured partnerships, early engagement between consortium members, clear long-term vision, and alignment between project goals, planned activities, and expected results.

The event also created space for connecting forest genetic monitoring and biodiversity-related expertise with broader bioeconomy innovation discussions in Lithuania and the Baltic Sea Region. The discussions highlighted the value of collaboration between research, industry, and policy stakeholders in supporting resilient ecosystems and advancing biodiversity monitoring practices.

The event was co-organised by LithuaniaBIO and the DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH consortium, with contributions from the Research Council of Lithuania, National Contact Points, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), and the BIO-INSPIRE project.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact the consortium of DIVERSE_GENE_WATCH partner LithuaniaBIO leading contact: inga.matijosyte@lithuaniabio.com.

At the national booth, LithuaniaBIO Executive Director Simona Šimulytė and representatives from VUGENE, Luko Lab, EXPERIMENTICA, SeqVision, Fitodenta, and Bious Technology & Life represented the Lithuanian life sciences ecosystem, showcasing its strength and diversity to an international audience.

During the conference, LithuaniaBIO coordinated the panel discussion “Strengthening Europe’s Biotech Competitiveness Through Collaboration Across Life Science Ecosystems.” Moderated by LithuaniaBIO Vice-President Agnė Vaitkevičienė, the panel featured speakers from Novo Nordisk, Roche, Health Holland, and The Life Sciences Cluster. The discussion explored how different regions across Europe contribute to innovation through talent, data, research, and industrial capabilities, and emphasized the importance of cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration in strengthening Europe’s global biotech position.

In addition, Agnė Vaitkevičienė moderated a roundtable discussion titled “Scaling Successful Collaboration Models Between Switzerland and the Baltics in Life Sciences.” The session brought together perspectives from both the public and private sectors, highlighting how strong cross-country collaboration can create value and inspire broader engagement across the life sciences community.

During the second day, the Marketplace provided an excellent platform for informal networking and partnership-building. The Lithuanian delegation was honored by a visit from Darius Semaška, Ambassador of Lithuania to Switzerland, who delivered welcoming remarks. Participants also had the opportunity to experience Lithuanian products, including URBANFOOD, CHOCO GROUP treats and Acala Drinks fermented tea beverages, adding a distinctive touch to the national presence.

A key highlight of the visit was the Baltic Life Sciences Networking Reception, hosted jointly by Lithuania, Estonia, and Switzerland. The event brought together more than 300 participants from over 25 countries,cooperating in Eureka Network. Ambassador Darius Semaška, in his remarks, highlighted Lithuania’s dynamic and rapidly growing biotech ecosystem.

During the visit, LithuaniaBIO President Tomas Andrejauskas and Executive Director Simona Šimulytė also visited the Roche, where they explored opportunities to strengthen partnerships, expand collaboration, and present Lithuania’s rapidly growing life sciences ecosystem.

Huge thanks to partners Invest Lithuania and the Embassy of Lithuania in Switzerland, and especially to Irena Urbutytė-Pranckevičienė, Greta Zajančauskaitė, and Kornelija Bakutytė for their significant contribution to the success of these activities.

We also thank our sponsors URBANFOOD, CHOCO GROUP and Acala Drinks for providing exceptional Lithuanian products to share with the international community.

Finally, thanks to all members of the Lithuanian delegation who represented the country at Swiss Biotech Day 2026 and contributed to strengthening Lithuania’s visibility on the global life sciences stage.

The event created an inspiring space to connect, share ideas, and showcase Europe’s growing life sciences potential. It was a pleasure to be part of Swiss Biotech Day 2026, and we look forward to continuing to build strong international partnerships and collaborations.

The participation of Lithuanian companies in these events was carried out under the project “Promoting the Growth of Export Competitiveness of Lithuanian Companies through the Implementation of International Partnership Development Initiatives 2025” (No. 001-01-11-01.4-1.K).

The session was delivered by Sorainen partner Lise-Lotte Lääne, who leads the firm’s Life Sciences & Healthcare sector group. During the lecture, she provided an in-depth overview of the complex and rapidly evolving European Union regulatory landscape that biotech companies face across all stages – from early development to market entry.

Particular attention was given to the structure of the EU regulatory framework, highlighting the increasing role of directly applicable EU regulations. Ongoing initiatives such as the EU Pharmaceutical Package and the proposed Biotech Act were also discussed, both aiming to accelerate innovation while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

The lecture explored different regulatory pathways depending on the nature of the product – whether medicinal products, medical devices, food, or other biotech applications. It was emphasized that classification often depends not on the technology itself, but on its intended use, making early strategic decisions especially critical.

Lise-Lotte Lääne also shared practical insights into common pitfalls, including late consideration of regulatory requirements, insufficient intellectual property strategy, poorly structured contracts, and limited attention to data protection and cybersecurity. It was highlighted that early-stage decisions often determine both future risks and overall business success.

The session also underlined the importance of considering early commercialization strategies, such as licensing or alternative applications of technology, allowing companies to generate value sooner while reducing regulatory and financial risks.

This lecture marks the beginning of a broader lecture series aimed at strengthening the Lithuanian biotech sector’s capabilities in legal and regulatory matters and fostering closer collaboration across the ecosystem.

Thank you to everyone who joined – and especially to our partners at Sorainen for this valuable session, and to RockIT for kindly hosting the event!

Would you like to receive the lecture’s legal acts summary? Fill in the form – we will share it with all registered participants.

The next lecture, “From discovery to deal: Creating, protecting and licensing intellectual property”, will take place on April 29. Save the date – more information and registration coming soon!

The first edition will take place 9–11 June 2026 at CityCube Berlin. bio:cap combines an expo, conference, and curated networking, bringing together stakeholders from biotechnology, pharma, diagnostics, TechBio, data & AI, as well as investors, research, clusters, policymakers, and innovation ecosystems.

The goal is to enable relevant conversations and partnerships efficiently – and to accelerate innovation and market entry in pharma and biotech through AI-driven innovation. To achieve this, bio:cap offers a curated program, cutting-edge topics from market and technology, high-visibility stage formats (panels, talks, pitches), and structured matchmaking that connects the right people.

bio:cap is organized by Messe Berlin in cooperation with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), and the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI).

LithuaniaBIO will participate in the event together with a Lithuanian delegation, including five life sciences companies selected by the organizers: VUGENE, Biomatter, Caszyme, Atrandi Bioscience, and Pioneera Bioscience. These companies have been selected to join the bio:cap Start-up Zone and will present their innovations to an international audience of investors, pharma, and technology stakeholders.

Representatives of Lithuanian institutions will also join the delegation and participate in discussions and meetings aimed at strengthening international cooperation in life sciences and innovation.

Special offer for LithuaniaBIO members:
LithuaniaBIO members can benefit from a 50% discount on event tickets (Investor, Industry, Scale, and Start-up categories) and a 10% discount on booth bookings. The offer is valid until March 31, 2026.

If you would like to participate, please contact irma.kurtinaityte@lithuaniabio.com to receive the discount code and additional information.

More information about the event.

Bio€quity Europe is widely recognized as one of the most important biotech investment events in Europe. The conference brings together biotech CEOs, investors, and pharmaceutical business development leaders to network, form partnerships, and discuss the most pressing issues facing the biotech industry.

Globally, innovators are finding the need for speed as the driver for investment, partnering and success: speed to the clinic, speed to early human data, and speed to de-risk assets. The question for European biotechs is what their best strategy is to compete in this arena, facing new momentum from Asia and an unpredictable landscape in the U.S. As always, the science in Europe is there. There are more experienced operators than ever before. And after four long years, investor sentiment is finally turning.

In its 26th edition, Bio€quity Europe travels to Central and Eastern Europe for the first time to explore opportunities in the region and to debate how European biotech can accelerate to compete – and lead – in today’s world.

Why Attend?

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Debate what lies ahead for the European biotech ecosystem
• Meet venture capital investors, biotech CEOs, and BD&L leaders in an intimate setting designed for networking and discussion
• Discover 100+ emerging biotech companies selected for the Presenting Company Track
• Schedule one-to-one partnering meetings with investors and pharmaceutical BD&L teams
• Explore key European biotech trends through an exclusive conference report from Insights Partner McKinsey & Company

Special Offer for LithuaniaBIO Members:

LithuaniaBIO members are eligible for a discount on conference tickets.

If you are interested in participating, please contact us at irma.kurtinaityte@lithuaniabio.com and we will share the discount code to be used during registration.

More information about the programme, speakers, and registration is available here.

Over three intensive days in Vilnius and Kaunas, the delegation explored Lithuania’s dynamic innovation landscape, meeting with government representatives, research institutions, companies, and start-ups. The programme focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration in biotechnology, healthcare innovation, research, and industry partnerships.

The visit began in Vilnius, where the delegation was introduced to Lithuania’s life sciences ecosystem and healthcare landscape through presentations from Lithuanian institutions and industry representatives. Meetings with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and the Ministry of Health provided an opportunity to discuss policy priorities and future cooperation between Lithuania and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

During the visit, the delegation toured leading Lithuanian life sciences and healthcare organisations – Northway Biotech, the Lithuanian Biobank, Santaros Clinics, and Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park. There, the delegation was introduced to the latest health technologies being developed by Lithuanian start-ups, including Vital3D Technologies. The delegation also visited innovative companies such as Caszyme.

During the visit, the Biomapas team also hosted a meeting with the delegation. The meeting featured engaging discussions and informal conversations that further strengthened connections between Lithuanian and German partners.

On 2 March, a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vilnius together with LithuaniaBIO at Medical Science Centre, Vilnius University brought together Lithuanian and German stakeholders from government, industry, and academia. During the event, Tomas Andrejauskas, President of LithuaniaBIO, presented Lithuania’s healthcare and life sciences ecosystem to the delegation and invited guests. The event accompanied the official programme, creating space for dialogue and new partnerships.

The programme continued in Kaunas, where the delegation visited Santaka Valley and Kaunas University of Technology, and met with innovative companies and start-ups, including Sentante, Inosport, Genomika, MedDream, Vilimed, and BrachyDOSE. The programme also included company visits to ELINVISION and Aconitum, highlighting Lithuania’s strong capabilities in medical technologies, biotechnology, and data-driven healthcare solutions.

The visit concluded on 4 March in Kaunas with an evening networking event organised by LithuaniaBIO at Volfas Engelman Galerija, bringing together members of the Lithuanian life sciences community and the German delegation. The event provided an opportunity to present the Kaunas innovation ecosystem and continue discussions on future cooperation between Lithuanian and German organisations.

The delegation visit further strengthened the ties between Lithuania and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and highlighted strong potential for collaboration in biotechnology, healthcare innovation, and research.

LithuaniaBIO remains committed to fostering international partnerships that support the growth and global integration of Lithuania’s life sciences sector.

Bringing a biotech product to the EU market requires more than scientific excellence – it demands a clear understanding of a rapidly evolving, highly fragmented regulatory framework. In this seminar, we will explore the core legal and regulatory challenges facing biotech companies across the EU, from early-stage development to commercial scale-up.

Key topics include:

• Overview of the EU regulatory ecosystem for biotech (including the upcoming EU pharmaceutical package and the proposed Biotech Act;
• Main characteristics of different regulatory pathways (e.g. medicinal products, medical devices, novel food, etc);
• Lessons from the practice: where companies most often go wrong in their processes, and how these can derail development timelines and market access, and how to mitigate them before they become value‑critical issues;
• Practical tips for early-stage and scaling biotech companies from the legal perspective.

Why attend?

Participants will leave with a clearer regulatory roadmap, a better understanding of where legal risk tends to arise, and practical insights into how EU reforms may reshape the biotech landscape in the coming years.

This seminar is particularly relevant for:

• Biotech founders and executives
• In‑house legal and regulatory teams
• Investors and advisors in life sciences
• R&D, compliance, and strategy leaders

Register for the event here.