VCIIP strengthens international partnerships at forums in Barcelona and Boston

To raise the international visibility of the Vilnius City Innovation Industrial Park (VCIIP), stay informed about life sciences industry trends, and build relevant partnerships for its growing community, the park’s operator Northtown Vilnius actively participates in global business and science forums.

Two key recent events for companies and organizations in the life sciences field were Vitafoods Europe 2025 in Barcelona at the end of May and the North American–Lithuanian Business Forum (NALB) held in Boston in early June. Both served as important platforms for expanding international collaboration.

“Today, the competitiveness of cities and countries in attracting and growing innovative companies depends not only on infrastructure or tax policies — it also hinges on their ability to be visible in international networks and to foster dialogue between science, business, and the public sector. Even more importantly, at VCIIP we already have a vibrant, well-established community that effectively represents Vilnius and Lithuania — our achievements and potential in life sciences. That’s why we simply cannot miss these opportunities,” says Dr. Gediminas Pauliukevičius, CEO of Northtown Vilnius.

At Vitafoods Europe 2025, which drew more than 20,000 participants from around the world, two companies from the VCIIP ecosystem — Domus Naturae and Biogami (Mamuko) — showcased their innovations and products. Mamuko is a leader in organic baby nutrition, while Domus Naturae specializes in advanced supplement development and manufacturing solutions. These companies not only demonstrate Lithuania’s competencies and competitiveness in life sciences and functional nutrition but also illustrate how VCIIP has become an attractive choice for science-based businesses looking to grow within a sustainable community.

“This year’s Vitafoods Europe offered a truly dynamic platform for discussions on personalized nutrition, women’s health, sleep, cognitive function, and the application of artificial intelligence in nutrition. Beyond niche innovations and solutions that attendees could experience firsthand, the exhibition’s greatest value lies in the opportunity to build connections in real-time — relationships that can evolve into new products or broader initiatives. As the operator of an innovation park, we found one message especially reaffirming: the market is not just looking for products or partners, but for entire environments where these products can be created, tested, manufactured, and refined based on research. Such spaces become catalysts for growth — and that is the vision we are cultivating at VCIIP,” adds Dr. Pauliukevičius.

Meanwhile, the NALB Forum in Boston brought together over 300 representatives of the innovation ecosystem from North America and Lithuania — including business leaders, scientists, and policymakers. Key themes such as life sciences, dual-use technologies, digital transformation, and the creative industries strongly aligned with Lithuania’s strategic strengths. The forum featured open and engaging discussions on topics such as expanding business into the U.S., commercializing joint research, the role of the diaspora, and science–business synergy.

According to Dr. Pauliukevičius, one of the forum’s key takeaways was that international growth in the life sciences sector requires more than capital or competitive products — it requires strong trust and reliable partnerships. “VCIIP is already a place where such partnerships are taking shape locally, and where we see great potential for connecting with broader international networks. It was especially important for us to strengthen ties with the Lithuanian diaspora in the U.S. and Canada, whose contributions and support have already played a critical role in helping Lithuanian companies expand internationally,” he explains.

A visit to MIT Sloan Executive Education also inspired new ideas — particularly around training and internships. According to Dr. Pauliukevičius, there are plans to develop a program specifically for executives and leaders of Lithuanian biotechnology companies to gain knowledge and practical experience from some of the world’s top innovation institutions.

For Vilnius, which aims to position itself among the most attractive innovation hubs for forward-thinking companies, the message is clear: today’s most valuable competitive advantage lies in connections — both physical and human. This includes expanding physical infrastructure that enables high-potential companies to scale rapidly, strengthening transportation links — especially air connectivity — with strategic destinations in Europe and the U.S., and nurturing strong clusters and partnerships in key industries.

According to Northtown Vilnius CEO, Vilnius is already developing an environment where these principles are taking hold. “Every international engagement is not just an opportunity to remind the global community of who we are — it’s a chance to bring back fresh ideas that reshape perspectives and influence the real practice of innovation here in Lithuania,” concludes Dr. Pauliukevičius.