Empowering B.C. Life Sciences for Global Growth at BIO-Europe 2025

Summary:

How did British Columbia strengthen its global presence at the BIO 2025 event? BIO-Europe 2025 marked a major milestone for the province, showcasing leadership and driving international partnerships.

• Europe’s Largest Biopharma Event: BIO-Europe 2025 in Vienna connected 5,900+ professionals from 60+ countries and 3,000+ organizations.
• B.C.’s Global Positioning: The province highlighted strengths in mRNA/LNP, AI-driven drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
• Strategic Impact: Trade and Invest BC supported visibility and access through workshops, a pavilion booth, and 700+ meetings, paving the way for BIO-Europe 2026 in Cologne.

BIO-Europe, Europe’s largest biopharma partnering conference, serves as a global catalyst for innovation, collaboration and growth in life sciences. Since its inception in 1995, the event has evolved into the continent’s leading platform for global biotechnology dealmaking. The 31^st annual BIO-Europe took place in Vienna, Austria, from November 3–5, 2025, bringing together more than 5,900 professionals from over 60 countries and representing more than 3,000 organizations—from multinational pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotech firms and investors.

British Columbia’s Global Life Sciences Positioning

British Columbia (B.C.) has emerged as a leading life sciences hub, powered by world-class research, top talent and a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates commercialization and global engagement. In November 2025, more than 20 B.C. life sciences companies joined the international delegation at BIO-Europe, underscoring the province’s growing role in global biopharma innovation.

At BIO-Europe 2025, the province partnered with Informa Connect—the event’s organizer—and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service to strengthen B.C.’s international presence and expand market access. The conference provided a strategic platform for B.C. companies to showcase their capabilities and engage directly with senior decision-makers from leading European and Asian pharmaceutical firms, including IPSEN (France), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany) and AstraZeneca (UK).

Trade and Invest BC Support on the Ground

To maximize the impact of B.C.’s participation, Trade and Invest BC (TIBC), a division of the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth, delivered comprehensive support before and throughout the event. Ahead of the conference, TIBC hosted a pre-departure workshop to prepare participants with insights on the program, side events and targeted networking opportunities. On site, TIBC organized a dedicated B.C. booth within the country pavilion, providing a centralized platform to highlight provincial strengths and company capabilities.

TIBC’s Europe Trade and Investment Representatives (TIRs) further supported the delegation by facilitating strategic meetings with potential buyers and partners, enabling participation in high-value networking events, and providing tailored marketing collateral and an online company directory to enhance matchmaking. These efforts significantly increased B.C.’s visibility and positioned companies to access new markets and forge partnerships that strengthen global competitiveness. Connect with TIRs in your area, visit our directory of trade and investment offices.

Over three days, B.C. companies participated in approximately 700 meetings, surpassing performance targets and advancing therapeutic partnerships with European stakeholders. This momentum reflects growing global interest in cross-border collaboration, particularly in areas where B.C. leads—such as mRNA and lipid nanoparticle technologies, AI-driven drug discovery, and personalized medicine.

Continuing Global Engagement

Looking ahead, the next BIO-Europe will take place in Cologne, Germany, from November 9–11, 2026. The Government of British Columbia and TIBC will continue to support life sciences companies in exploring diversified markets and building international partnerships that strengthen sector resilience and long-term growth.

To learn more about participating in international events with support from Trade and Invest BC, explore our upcoming trade events for the latest updates and resources.