Riga is home to one of the fastest-growing life science ecosystems in the Baltics, combining internationally recognised pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, medical technologies, digital health and world-class research capabilities. Supported by a highly skilled workforce, strong export performance and growing R&D investment, Riga offers an attractive location for companies developing the next generation of healthcare solutions.
Building on decades of expertise in pharmaceuticals, chemistry and biotechnology, Riga has evolved into a leading life science hub in Northern Europe. The city combines internationally competitive manufacturing with advanced biomedical research, digital health innovation and a rapidly growing biotechnology ecosystem. Close collaboration between industry, universities and research institutes enables companies to accelerate product development, clinical research and international growth.
Why Riga?
Export-driven industry – trusted by international markets and deeply integrated into global value chains.
Strong pharmaceutical manufacturing– decades of expertise supported by globally active producers.
Biomedical research excellence – Latvia's leading hub for life sciences research and innovation.
Biotechnology & digital health growth– advancing genomics, AI and precision medicine.
Highly skilled talent pool – strong scientific workforce supported by leading universities and research institutions.
Competitive business environment– attractive tax system, investment incentives and dedicated investor support.
Fastest Growing Sectors
Pharmaceuticals & Drug Manufacturing
Biotechnology & Synthetic Biology
Medical Technologies
Digital Health & AI in Healthcare
Precision Medicine & Genomics
Biomaterials & Regenerative Medicine
Numbers One of Latvia's most export-oriented and innovation-driven industries.
EUR 1.26 billion industry turnover
532 life science companies
8,300+ employees
74% of production is exported
EUR 728 million in pharmaceutical exports
Key Benefits
Established pharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem with internationally recognised manufacturers and innovative startups.
Home to Latvia's leading biomedical research ecosystem, with strengths in genomics, precision medicine, diagnostics and biomaterials.
Home to the future National Research and Innovation Institute, set to become the largest life sciences research institute in the Baltics.
Strong collaboration between industry, universities and research organisations, accelerating innovation and commercialisation.
Growing biotechnology and digital health ecosystem supporting the development of next-generation healthcare solutions.
Access to highly qualified specialists in life sciences, medicine, engineering and technology disciplines.
Dedicated investment support, including the Green Corridor initiative and programmes supporting innovation, R&D and digitalisation.
Dedicated investment support, including the Green Corridor initiative and a broad range of government programmes supporting innovation, R&D, digitalisation and exports.
Competitive tax environment, including 0% corporate income tax on reinvested profits and internationally competitive operating costs.
Largest Companies
Grindeks
Leading Baltic pharmaceutical manufacturer exporting products to more than 100 countries worldwide.
MGI Tech
Global genomics company operating its first European production facility in Latvia.
PharmIdea
International manufacturer of sterile medicines serving more than 60 export markets.
Biosan
Producer of laboratory equipment and diagnostic solutions used by researchers worldwide.
Longenesis
Award-winning digital health company connecting healthcare providers, researchers and patients.
Companies evaluating European life sciences locations increasingly look for environments that support the entire value chain—from scientific research and product development to manufacturing and international commercialisation. Key decision factors typically include industry scale, research capabilities, access to talent and the ability to move innovations efficiently from laboratory to market.
Riga, Latvia combines these capabilities within a single life sciences sector comprising 532 companies, €1.26 billion in annual turnover and more than 8,300 employees. The sector spans pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technologies and digital health, allowing companies to access research expertise, product development capabilities and export-oriented manufacturing within one metropolitan ecosystem.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers typically assess production experience, workforce capabilities, supply-chain connectivity, export performance, regulatory readiness and market access.
Riga, Latvia has a long-established pharmaceutical manufacturing base supported by companies such as Grindeks, Olpha Group and PharmIdea. These companies demonstrate capabilities in pharmaceutical production, quality-controlled manufacturing and international commercialisation. The sector is highly export-oriented, with 74% of production exported internationally and €728 million in pharmaceutical exports. Access to European and global markets is supported through Riga's airport, seaport and future Rail Baltica connections.
Many locations specialise either in manufacturing or research. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies increasingly seek locations where research, development and manufacturing activities can coexist.
Riga, Latvia combines established pharmaceutical manufacturing with emerging biotechnology capabilities. While companies such as Grindeks, Olpha Group and PharmIdea demonstrate manufacturing and export strength, companies including Cellbox Labs, PrintyMed and Longenesis demonstrate innovation in organ-on-chip technologies, biomaterials, regenerative medicine and healthcare data solutions. This combination can be relevant for companies seeking both production and innovation capabilities in a single location.
Access to qualified talent remains one of the most important location-selection criteria for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology investors.
Riga, Latvia offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce supported by Riga Stradiņš University, the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University. Nearly 40% of residents hold higher education qualifications and approximately 75% speak at least two foreign languages. These institutions support talent development across medicine, chemistry, engineering, biotechnology, healthcare technologies, data science and advanced manufacturing, helping companies recruit both scientific and technical specialists.
Research-intensive companies often seek locations where universities, research institutes, hospitals and industry actively collaborate on innovation and commercialisation.
Riga, Latvia is the country's leading biomedical research centre, with expertise concentrated across drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, genomics, precision medicine, diagnostics, biomaterials, regenerative medicine and AI-enabled healthcare. Key institutions include the Institute of Organic Synthesis, University of Latvia, Riga Stradiņš University and the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence. Research strengths include personalised medicine, genome research, vaccines and infectious diseases, biomarkers, tissue engineering and advanced biomaterials, creating multiple opportunities for industry partnerships and technology transfer.
Investors increasingly explore emerging European locations that combine advanced scientific capabilities with opportunities for growth and commercialisation.
Riga, Latvia has developed competencies in genomics, precision medicine, metagenomics, AI-enabled healthcare, diagnostics and digital health solutions. The city's research institutions and companies work across areas such as personalised medicine, biomarker discovery, healthcare analytics and innovative biotechnology applications. Companies such as Longenesis and Cellbox Labs provide evidence of commercial activity within these fields and demonstrate how scientific capabilities are being translated into international business opportunities.
Biotechnology companies selecting an R&D location typically evaluate access to researchers, specialised infrastructure, university partnerships, commercialisation opportunities and scientific focus areas.
Riga, Latvia provides access to expertise in drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, genomics, precision medicine, vaccine research, biomaterials, nanomedicine and tissue engineering. The Institute of Organic Synthesis is internationally recognised for pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry research, while universities and research centres support clinical, translational and applied research activities. The forthcoming National Research and Innovation Institute, resulting from the consolidation of major biomedical research organisations, is expected to further strengthen Latvia's life sciences research capacity.
Many healthcare innovators require access not only to research institutions, but also to hospitals and patient populations where technologies can be tested and validated in real-world clinical environments.
Riga, Latvia provides access to specialised healthcare institutions actively engaged in innovation and clinical collaboration. Riga 1st Hospital participates in digital health projects and is open to partnerships involving artificial intelligence, clinical decision-support systems, remote monitoring and healthcare technology validation. Riga 2nd Hospital offers opportunities for orthopaedic device evaluation, trauma-care innovation and rehabilitation technologies. Riga Maternity Hospital, which performs approximately one-third of all births in Latvia, provides a unique environment for maternal health, prenatal diagnostics, neonatal care and digital pregnancy monitoring solutions. Together, these institutions support clinical validation, healthcare innovation and real-world technology adoption.
Investors frequently examine the companies already operating in a location as an indicator of ecosystem maturity, workforce quality and commercial potential.
The companies operating in Riga, Latvia demonstrate a broad spectrum of life sciences capabilities. MGI Tech selected Latvia for its first European production facility, demonstrating the location's ability to support advanced life sciences equipment manufacturing and genome sequencing technologies. Novartis is active in clinical research, healthcare partnerships and digital health initiatives, illustrating the relevance of Riga's healthcare and research environment. Grindeks exports pharmaceutical products to more than 100 countries, highlighting international manufacturing capability, while Olpha Group is among the major pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Baltic region. PharmIdea demonstrates expertise in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, while Biosan, Longenesis, Cellbox Labs and PrintyMed provide evidence of innovation across diagnostics, biotechnology, digital health and biomaterials.
Investors commonly assess tax competitiveness, project implementation processes, innovation support programmes, talent attraction mechanisms and access to decision-makers.
Latvia ranks among the most tax-competitive OECD economies, holding 1st place for Corporate Tax Competitiveness and 2nd place in the International Tax Competitiveness Index. In Riga, companies can access investor support services, innovation and R&D programmes, talent attraction initiatives and the Green Corridor framework designed to accelerate strategically important investment projects. These mechanisms help reduce administrative complexity and support business establishment, expansion and innovation activities.
Life sciences companies increasingly look beyond established locations in Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Ireland when evaluating expansion opportunities. Typical selection criteria include access to talent, research capabilities, manufacturing expertise, operating conditions and growth potential.
Riga, Latvia combines biomedical research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, export-oriented production, specialised scientific talent and healthcare innovation within one ecosystem. The presence of internationally active manufacturers, research-intensive institutions, clinical partners and digital health innovators makes Riga relevant for companies evaluating emerging European locations for pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, medical technologies, digital health and life sciences R&D activities.
We are your first point of contact if you're interested in Riga as a place for investment, business development, or film production. We will assist and help with the right people and organizations without added cost. Get in touch and let's make things happen.
