The Czech life-science ecosystem in an international context

A central pillar of the programme was the presentation of the top-tier research and innovation ecosystem centred around the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) and its related technology-transfer structures, IOCB Tech. These demonstrated the ability to consistently translate excellent basic research into practical applications and commercially successful projects with global reach.

Particular attention was paid to research in new drug discovery, oncology, virology, metabolic diseases and advanced chemistry and biomedicine, including their tangible impact on global healthcare.

Investment and global growth

A significant role was played by the investment dimension of the event, represented by the venture capital fund i&i Biotech Fund, which connects academic research, startups and the global pharmaceutical industry. Discussions confirmed the investment readiness of Czech biotechnology projects, especially in the area of early-stage investments and their international scalability, including links to the USA (Boston).

Luxembourg was also presented as a strategic financial and investment gateway for the global expansion of Czech deep-tech projects.

Culture as part of the innovation narrative

An integral part of the event was its cultural dimension, which symbolically bridged science and art. The Czech cultural scene was represented by Dejvické divadlo through the production Elegance of a Molecule, which in an original way reflected themes of creativity, human knowledge and the relationship between science and society.

The cultural programme strengthened the overall narrative of the event and highlighted that innovation is not only a technological or economic phenomenon, but also part of a broader cultural and value-based context.

A platform for international cooperation

The event created a space for meetings among representatives of academia, startups, investors, venture capital funds, corporations and public institutions. In doing so, it reinforced the image of the Czech Republic as a reliable partner for international research and innovation cooperation and as a natural bridge between Central Europe, Western Europe and the United States.

The event significantly contributed to increasing the visibility of the Czech life-science ecosystem in the Benelux region, supported concrete networking opportunities with investors and decision-makers, and strengthened the strategic narrative of the Czech Republic as an innovation-driven economy with global reach.

The event confirmed that connecting science, business, investment and culture is an effective tool of economic and scientific diplomacy, capable of delivering long-term benefits for the Czech Republic and its international partners.

You can also watch highlights from the event on the Embassy’s Instagram and Facebook channels:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSIe8shjN_q/?igsh=YmF2b290amMxZ2hu

https://fb.watch/ErhsVsXIjY/