Life Sciences and Biotechnology
Explore a sector built on close synergy between business and Gdansk's scientific and research centres. See our sector analysis.
Life Sciences is an interdisciplinary sector that applies biological, medical and technological sciences to healthcare, the bioeconomy and the development of innovative products and processes. The sector's development is underpinned by collaboration between universities and research institutions, healthcare providers, public authorities and innovative companies.
Key segments of the local life sciences sector include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, MedTech, diagnostics, digital health, healthcare, cosmetics and nutraceuticals, as well as marine and environmental biotechnology.
- The regional innovation hub, known as the “Gdańsk Biotechnology Valley”, brings together two science and technology parks - Gdańsk Science and Technology Park and Pomeranian Science and Technology Park - alongside a well-developed research and clinical infrastructure supported by collaboration between universities and local healthcare institutions, including the University Clinical Centre.
- Life sciences business ecosystem: Polpharma S.A., Rezon Bio, PolTREG, Acteryon, QIAGEN Gdańsk, Ziaja, Oceanic, LEO Pharma, A&A Biotechnology, Biovico, Bayer Service Center Gdańsk, QSAR Lab, Phage Consultants, SensDx and Spark-Lab.
- Key areas of specialisation among companies operating in the region include biosimilars, recombinant enzymes, pharmaceutical manufacturing (Rx and OTC medicines), molecular diagnostics, clinical trials, cosmetics manufacturing and specialty chemicals.
- In 2020, the Polish Accreditation Committee awarded its Certificate of Excellence in Education to the Biotechnology programme at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk - the only biotechnology programme in Poland to receive this distinction.
- Early-Phase Clinical Trials Centre – Poland's only multidisciplinary academic centre of its kind, operating at the University Clinical Centre in Gdańsk.
- Biotechnology as a strategic sector for the EU - a critical technology area supported under the STEP platform, contributing to economic competitiveness and resilience, health security, and the green and digital transitions.
- Medicines security and sovereignty: the life sciences sector is considered strategic due to its role in strengthening countries' capacity to respond to demographic and climate challenges and build resilient healthcare systems.
- Digital revolution and the use of AI in R&D: digital technologies, advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence are becoming key drivers of research efficiency, accelerating drug discovery and supporting the growth of the biotech sector. According to NVIDIA's 2026 report, 70% of healthcare and life sciences organisations actively use AI.
- Expansion of RNA-based drug manufacturing – Polpharma S.A. launched a PLN 238.7 million platform for drug development and manufacturing in Starogard Gdański, strengthening Poland's capabilities in advanced biotechnology, medicines security and its position in the European life sciences value chain.
- Development of new interdisciplinary degree programmes aligned with market needs and trends in life sciences, including programmes developed in cooperation with industry and Polish and international academic partners (e.g. pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, English-taught marine biotechnology, and bioinformatics).
- Approximately 19.7k students are enrolled in degree programmes relevant to the life sciences sector in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, with around 4.1k graduates annually (Statistics Poland, academic year 2024/2025). The Tri-City area accounts for approximately 16.5k students and 3.4k graduates. Gdańsk accounts for 81% of all life sciences graduates in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
- Medical University of Gdańsk - 1.3k graduates and 6.8k students enrolled in life sciences-related degree programmes, including laboratory medicine, pharmacy, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry (in cooperation with Polpharma S.A.), clinical research, medicine and dentistry.
- Gdansk Tech - 0.45k graduates and 2.1k students enrolled in life sciences-related degree programmes, including biotechnology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical technology, nanotechnology and mechanical and medical engineering.
- University of Gdańsk - 0.5k graduates and 1.7k students enrolled in life sciences-related degree programmes, including biology, medical biology, genetics and experimental biology, biotechnology, marine biotechnology, chemistry, chemical business, medical physics and bioinformatics.
- Other higher education institutions, including Gdańsk Medical Academy of Applied Sciences, Higher School of Socio-Economics in Gdansk, Pomeranian University in Słupsk and Powiślańska Academy of Applied Science, account for 24k students and 6.2k graduates enrolled in programmes supporting the life sciences sector in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. In the Tri-City, the corresponding figures are 22k students and 5.8k graduates, while Gdańsk alone accounts for 18k students and 4.8k graduates, representing 75% of the region's graduates in fields supporting the life sciences sector.
- Modern research infrastructure at the University of Gdańsk, the Medical University of Gdańsk and Gdańsk University of Technology, including BSL-2 laboratories and research centres supporting the development of biotechnology, biomedicine and bioengineering.
- The BSL-3+ laboratory at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk – unique research infrastructure enabling work with biological agents under enhanced biosafety conditions.
- An extensive research infrastructure covering genomics, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, proteomics and metabolomics, bioanalytics, cell imaging, in vivo studies and biobanking. A key component is the specialist laboratories at the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, complemented by the Medical University of Gdańsk's biobank, bioanalytical laboratories and translational medicine platforms.
- Gdańsk Science and Technology Park (GPN-T) offers office, technology and laboratory space, incubation facilities, and support for business growth and technology transfer. Its Technology Incubator supports early-stage companies, including businesses from the Life Sciences sector, while biotechnology companies based at the Park – such as Rezon Bio and QIAGEN – contribute to the development of the local Life Sciences ecosystem.
- Pomeranian Science and Technology Park (PPNT) is home to the Bio Laboratory, providing companies with access to specialised research infrastructure and expertise in areas including analytical chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and cell culture.
- Clinical and diagnostic infrastructure, including the University Clinical Centre, COPERNICUS, Pomeranian Hospitals and the University Maritime and Tropical Medicine Centre.
- Research facilities of the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, strengthening the region's capabilities in marine biotechnology, bioeconomy and environmental research.
Key Companies
REZON BIO / Polpharma Biologics
Development and manufacturing of biologic medicines and CDMO services. The Gdańsk site specialises in process development and GMP manufacturing. Polpharma Biologics developed Tyruko®, the first FDA-approved biosimilar of natalizumab.
QIAGEN Gdańsk (formerly BLIRT)
A leading European manufacturer of recombinant enzymes and molecular biology reagents. In 2022, QIAGEN acquired 96% of the company's shares.
PolTREG S.A.
Spin-off from the Medical University of Gdańsk developing innovative cell therapies based on regulatory T cells (Tregs) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
NanoEXPO Sp. z o.o.
R&D company conducting research on biological nanostructures and biomedical nanotechnology solutions.
A&A Biotechnology
Manufacturer of reagents, enzymes and kits for molecular biology, including DNA/RNA isolation and PCR.
IMMUNOLAB Sp. z o.o.
Manufacturer of biological diagnostic products, immunological preparations and solutions for microbiological diagnostics.
ACTERYON Sp. z o.o.
R&D company developing biomedical technologies, including bacteriophage-based solutions.
PHAGE CONSULTANTS
Company specialising in bacteriophages, industrial microbiology and consulting for fermentation and biotechnology processes.
AstroFarms Sp. z o.o.
Company developing solutions at the intersection of food biotechnology, foodtech and technologies for space applications.
Human Biome S.A.
Company specialising in microbiome-based products and therapies focused on the gut microbiota.
EURx Sp. z o.o.
Manufacturing and R&D company specialising in reagents and enzymes for molecular biology.
ProChimia Surfaces Sp. z o.o.
Company developing technologies in chemical and biochemical surface modification, nanotechnology and biomaterials.
Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A.
The largest pharmaceutical company in Pomerania. The company manufactures Rx and OTC medicines, hospital medicines, dietary supplements and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Profarm Sp. z o.o.
Manufacturer of medicines, cosmetics, supplements and aromatherapy products, also providing contract services to manufacturers.
TCI Sp. z o.o.
R&D company focused on technology transfer and the development and commercialisation of medical and pharmaceutical products.
CHEM-CRAFT Sp. z o.o.
Materials and technology company specialising in advanced composite materials and engineering support.
QSAR Lab Sp. z o.o.
Chemoinformatics company using computational modelling, machine learning and AI to predict substance properties and toxicity, among other applications.
Genoplast Biotech S.A.
Manufacturer of specialised plastic consumables for biotechnology and diagnostic laboratories.
BrainScan Sp. z o.o.
MedTech company developing an AI system for automated analysis of brain CT scans and support for neuroradiological diagnosis.
SensDx S.A.
Company developing biosensor-based solutions for rapid diagnostics and pathogen detection.
APISystems Sp. z o.o.
Designs and builds automated production machinery, including for the medical industry, such as syringe, filter and valve assembly systems integrated with quality control and traceability solutions.
J.S. Hamilton Poland
Comprehensive quality testing of food, cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical products, as well as audit, regulatory compliance assessment and goods inspection services.
Eurofins Dermscan Poland
Comprehensive testing of cosmetics, consumer chemicals, dietary supplements and medical devices; part of the Eurofins Scientific group.
Genloxa Sp. z o.o.
Biotechnology company and laboratory specialising in molecular and oncological diagnostics and R&D.
Spark-Lab Sp. z o.o.
Research and analytical laboratory providing advanced chemical analyses, method validation and bespoke R&D services.
GeneMe
Company specialising in genetic diagnostics and testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Spark-Consulting Sp. z o.o.
Consulting and training company specialising in laboratory analytics, GMP and ISO quality systems.
URTESTE S.A.
Company developing diagnostic tests for the early detection of multiple cancer types.
LABORATORIUM DNA
Forensic genetics laboratory conducting DNA analyses for human identification, kinship testing and biological trace analysis, among other applications.
Invicta / Invicta Genetics
Medical company specialising in infertility treatment and IVF procedures, while expanding its activities in genetic diagnostics.
WDTech
Spin-off developing IT and ICT solutions for medical diagnostics and telemedicine.
Kainos
Technology company providing IT solutions and digital transformation services, including for healthcare, with expertise in electronic health records and systems supporting clinical workflows.
Ziaja Ltd.
The region's largest cosmetics manufacturer. It employs around 600 people and offers approximately 1,200 products exported to more than 30 countries.
Oceanic S.A.
Manufacturer of cosmetics and dermocosmetics and owner of the AA, Oillan, Biovax and L’biotica brands, present in dozens of international markets.
A-Z Medica Sp. z o.o.
Manufacturer and distributor of natural dietary supplements, herbal preparations and selected cosmetic products.
Marion Sp. z o.o.
Manufacturer of hair and body care products, also active in private-label production and in-house laboratory and R&D work.
AronPharma
Biotechnology company manufacturing dietary supplements and functional nutraceuticals and conducting its own R&D projects.
Biovico Sp. z o.o.
Company operating at the intersection of medical biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthtech, offering nutraceuticals, medical devices and veterinary solutions.
LEO Pharma Global Business Service Center
Global shared services centre for the LEO Pharma group, supporting HR, finance, supply chain, IT, R&D and quality functions.
Bayer Global Business Services
Bayer business services centre delivering functions including finance, HR, customer service, procurement and compliance.
Investment Advantages
Economic environment
- Metropolitan Area of Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot — over 1.6 million residents, positive migration balance
- GDP per capita in the Tri-City is PLN 132,000 (approx. 150% of the national average)
- Gdansk ranks among the happiest European cities (EC report: Quality of Life in European Cities)
- Access to the Polish Investment Zone (including CIT exemption)
Infrastructure
- 194 ha of industrial investment sites available in Gdansk
- Port of Gdansk: 80.4 million tonnes of cargo, 2.8 million TEU (2025) — the largest container port on the Baltic Sea
- Gdansk Lech Wałęsa Airport: 98 routes, 27 countries, ~7.4 million passengers (2025)
- 1.07 million m² of office space and 1.82 million m² of warehouse space in the Tri-City (Knight Frank, Q3 2025)
Key Industries
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