Lazio strengthens the biotech ecosystem with investment, networking and research
The sector sets a record in exports and employs thousands of people, consolidating Lazio's strategic role
Lazio confirms its leading role at national and European level in the Life Sciences sector. Today, at the Inail Auditorium in Rome, the Lazio Region presented Innovation Day Lazio Life Science, an event promoted by Lazio Innova in collaboration with Unindustria, dedicated to the future of the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. The event brought together the main players in the sector - large companies, innovative start-ups, investors, and research centres - for a day of discussion and networking, with Open Innovation tables dedicated to the creation of new synergies and development opportunities.
Step Announcement 11o million for growth
Opening the proceedings was the Vice-President of the Lazio Region and Councillor for Economic Development, Roberta Angelilli, who reiterated the regional administration's commitment to supporting innovation, research, and competitiveness in the sector. "Lazio is now a national and European reference point in the Life Sciences," said Angelilli, "thanks to a solid network of start-ups, SMEs, large enterprises, universities and research centres, capable of generating economic value, skilled employment and innovation. With the Step call we are investing over 110 million euros of European funds to support the growth, internationalisation and innovation of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Promoting the sector and opening up to global markets are among our strategic priorities'.
Companies ready to support excellence
Massimo Scaccabarozzi, president of Unindustria's Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Section, emphasised the territory's potential: 'Lazio has all the cards in hand to consolidate a strong, competitive innovation supply chain that is open to the world. The companies are ready to support this ecosystem of excellence alongside the Region'. Massimiliano Ricci, director general of Unindustria, said: 'As a pharmaceutical company, especially in terms of research, we are starting to think about how we can work together with the health sector, an excellence of the Region.
A strategic sector for Lazio's economy
Life Sciences represent one of the most relevant areas of economic and scientific excellence for the Lazio Region, with a significant impact on the national and international economy. In 2024 the sector's exports reached a record figure of almost 13 billion euros, while in the first half of 2025 there was a further increase of +31.4%, or 9 billion euros. The sector has 22,000 employees, 10,000 specialised researchers and over 450 active companies, including multinationals, innovative SMEs and start-ups. In particular, Lazio is home to 70 biotech companies with a total turnover of almost EUR 3 billion, accounting for 26% of the national total, as well as 26 research centres and 8 universities with departments dedicated to biomedicine.
