At its 2nd annual meeting of members, partners, and supporters held last weekend in Bled, Slovenia Biotech Hills publicly launched its document “Strategic Guidelines for the Development of Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals in Slovenia 2026–2035.”

The document presents the first national strategic guidelines for the development of these sectors, which are among the most important drivers of innovation, exports, research activities, and the creation of high added value in Slovenia.

The document was developed in collaboration with representatives of leading Slovenian pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, partners of Slovenia Biotech Hills, research institutions, universities, and other stakeholders. Its purpose is to formulate a shared development vision for the sector through 2035 and to foster closer cooperation between the business sector, the scientific community, and the government in creating the conditions for further growth, technological development, and greater international competitiveness for Slovenia.

Boštjan Čeh, Chairman of the Slovenia Biotech Hills Council, highlighted that Slovenia has an exceptionally strong foundation for the further development of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

“Slovenia has a strong pharmaceutical industry, a world-class scientific and research environment, and medium-sized and small companies that successfully compete in the world’s most demanding markets. These are not advantages we still need to create, but rather the foundations upon which we can build one of Europe’s most successful stories in the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.”

According to him, the document represents an important step toward shaping a shared vision for development that transcends individual organizations and positions the sector among the country’s key development priorities.

“The question is no longer whether we have the potential. The question is whether we, as a country, will be able to effectively link knowledge, research, the economy, and development policies to transform this potential into a long-term competitive advantage. I am convinced that Slovenia can join the European leaders in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals in the coming years.”

The central part of the meeting was a roundtable discussion titled “Slovenia 2035: From Excellence to Breakthrough,” featuring Dr. Jure Vajs, Global Head of Early Talent Management at Sandoz Lek and Vice Chair of the Slovenia Biotech Hills Council; Prof. Dr. Mojca Benčina, Head of the Infrastructure Center at the National Institute of Chemistry; and Uroš Kušar, CEO of Brinox d.o.o.

The discussion focused on how Slovenia can strengthen its competitiveness at a time when countries around the world are rapidly investing in biotechnology development.

Dr. Jure Vajs emphasized the importance of people and knowledge as Slovenia’s key developmental capital.

“In the global race for the development of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, countries do not compete only with infrastructure or financial incentives. They compete primarily with knowledge, talent, and the ability to create an environment in which the best experts want to build their future. Slovenia has many advantages in this area, which we must learn to leverage more effectively.”

Prof. Dr. Mojca Benčina emphasized the importance of research excellence and the effective transfer of knowledge into practice.

“The most successful biotechnology ecosystems emerge where there is a strong link between research and the economy. Slovenia has top-notch researchers and significant scientific achievements. The key question for the coming years is how to translate this knowledge even more effectively into innovations, technologies, and solutions that create new value for society and the economy.”

Uroš Kušar pointed out that it is precisely in this decade that the developmental dynamics are taking shape that will determine countries’ competitiveness in the future.

“In the world of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, decisions are being made today that will determine countries’ competitiveness for decades to come. Slovenia has the knowledge, companies, and track record to become a major European player. To achieve this, however, we need a clear development strategy, a stable environment, and close cooperation among all key stakeholders. And not tomorrow, but now.”

The participants agreed that Slovenia has all the key conditions for the sector’s further development, but that success will largely depend on the ability to unite the business community, the research community, educational institutions, and the government behind a shared vision for development.

Anuša Gaši, Director of Slovenia Biotech Hills, emphasized that the strategic guidelines presented are not merely a technical document, but a call to decide what role Slovenia wishes to play in the European landscape in the coming decades.

“Slovenia has a rare opportunity in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals not to follow others, but to help shape European development trends. The question is no longer whether we have the potential for a breakthrough. The question is whether we, as a country, will make the right decisions in a timely manner to transform this potential into a long-term competitive advantage. The next decade will determine this.”

According to her, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are not merely successful economic sectors. “They are fields in which new technologies, new investments, new jobs, and even new balances of economic power will take shape in the coming decades. If Slovenia wishes to remain among Europe’s most developed countries, it must be part of this development. We therefore view the strategic guidelines presented here as a call for collective action and a long-term development commitment on the part of the state.”

Today, Slovenia Biotech Hills brings together leading companies, research organizations, universities, and other partners active in the fields of pharmacy, biotechnology, and related sciences. The strategic guidelines presented will serve as the basis for further dialogue in the coming months on measures that can help Slovenia capitalize on the development opportunities in one of the most important economic and technological sectors of the future.