The biotech world has kept a close eye on Lithuania and its capacity to nurture innovation. Well known for its contributions to the development of CRISPR Cas9 technology, the small former Soviet state enjoys a seat at the EU level, and is using its voice to broadcast its talent and technological pipelines to the world. Jekaterina Kalinienė, Head of BioTech Lab, Innovation Agency Lithuania, discusses the art of bringing business, academia, and government together.

What is the focus of your role at the Innovation Agency Lithuania?

We like to call ourselves a one-stop shop for innovation. We support teams, and sometimes even solo researchers, from the day they have an idea all the way to generating revenue, exporting, and going global. My focus is life sciences, which means I work to ensure that academia, government, and business are not only on the same page, but in the same room. My team steps in at the earliest stages – often before companies are attractive to private investors or venture capital, so that innovators have the backing they need to move forward.

Tell me about your role at the European Innovation Council. How do you support Lithuania’s biotech sector at the EU level?

This role is one of my favorite parts about my job because it keeps me up to date with the trends. As an expert evaluator for the European Innovation Council, I review cutting-edge biotech and deep tech proposals. It gives me a front-row seat for breakthrough ideas and a clear sense of where the sector is heading. I bring that perspective back to Lithuania, helping our companies align with EU priorities, understand what it takes to win highly competitive funding, and connect with the right networks. It’s not just about evaluating projects; it’s about making sure Lithuanian innovators are visible, competitive, and ready to play on the European stage.

What would you say are the greatest challenges of your role(s)?

One of the biggest challenges is the changing political cycles when continuity is not always guaranteed. Another challenge is what I call “grant chasers;” teams that excel at securing funding but struggle to turn it into sustainable businesses. Fundraising itself is also a long game – the cycles are lengthy, and in life sciences it can be years before you see tangible results. Furthermore, science often advances more rapidly than regulatory frameworks or investor appetite can keep pace with. Balancing that speed with the realities of funding and policy is never easy, but it’s what makes this work so rewarding.

The greatest reward is seeing researchers take the leap and start their own businesses, discovering what I like to call their “entrepreneurship gene”. It’s inspiring to watch someone move from the lab to the market, turning years of scientific work into something that can change lives. I also find it incredibly rewarding when different stakeholders: academia, government, and business come together around the same table. Those moments show that collaboration isn’t just loud words, it’s a real force that drives progress.

Who inspired you to enter your profession, and who inspires you to carry on?

I was very inspired by the former CEO of the Innovation Agency. I admired how she managed to raise three children while successfully running businesses, and later chose to join public service. That combination of strength, resilience, and purpose left a strong impression on me. Today, what inspires me to carry on is the feeling that I’m giving back, using my experience to help others grow and to strengthen Lithuania’s life sciences sector for the future.

What is your message to aspiring young women entrepreneurs looking for a way into biotech?

Start now. Don’t wait until “the time is right”, or until you feel “ready”. In biotech, nobody ever feels 100 percent ready. Science is complex, fundraising takes time, and the path is never linear. But if you have the drive and the vision, start now. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is not a solo journey. Trust me, it takes a village, like all big things do. Most importantly, believe that your perspective matters. Biotech needs more women founders because diversity isn’t just a nice word – it’s what drives better science, stronger companies, and better outcomes for patients.

What do you expect Lithuania’s life sciences industries to look like in the not-too-distant future?

I expect Lithuania’s life sciences to become one of the true growth engines of our economy. We already have a strong research base, but in the near future I see more companies scaling globally – not just innovating in the lab but building sustainable manufacturing and export capacity. I expect stronger collaboration between academia and business, with faster technology transfer and more academic spin-offs. Equally as important, I believe Lithuania can position itself as a place where patient-centric innovation thrives, where solutions are built to treat illnesses and improve quality of life, longevity, and overall wellbeing.

How has the biotech sector in Lithuania evolved over the course of your career?

I began my career in healthcare, and I’ve witnessed significant changes over the years. Most significantly, the role of the patient. People are now much more accountable for their own health. They actively seek second opinions, conduct their own research, consult with AI tools, and make better-informed decisions. At the same time, expectations have grown: patients don’t just want to avoid illness anymore, they expect a higher quality of life – whether that’s weight control, pain relief, managed menopause, or longevity. The rise of drugs that go beyond treatment and actively improve wellbeing shows just how much demand there is for therapies. For companies, that means you can’t just focus on B2B anymore; you need to educate the end user. And for the system as a whole, it makes patient-centricity not a privilege, but a must.

Biotech in Lithuania has undergone a significant shift as well, demonstrating resilience, agility, and an impressive capacity to adapt. We were once primarily known as a country of R&D, but the pandemic has shown that we can rapidly transition into manufacturing. 

What’s really exciting is the growing ambition. Companies here don’t just think about the local market anymore. They’re aiming big with the US, Asia, Germany, and other global markets now their targets.