The government has signed a letter of intent with the Biotech Hills institute, a newly-established business accelerator in biotechnology. The partnership seeks to make Slovenia the most attractive destination in Europe for R&D, manufacturing and investment in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

The partners commit to work together to develop a comprehensive ecosystem in biotechnology and pharmacy, which would position Slovenia as the most attractive development destination in this field.

The letter of intent was signed on 2 September on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum by Economy Minister Matjaž Han and Robert Ljoljo, the president of the Biotech Hills' council and president of Sandoz Slovenia.

"We are paving the way for Slovenia to become a central global meeting point for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and a research and development destination that will attract the best experts from all over the world," the minister said.

As the business accelerator was publicly launched, Ljoljo noted the strong support and commitment from the state in recognising biotechnology as a strategically important industry with great potential.

"We believe that by 2030 we can increase turnover by some €100 million, employ up to 1,000 highly qualified staff and raise the share of the GDP from 6% to approximately 9%," he added.

According to the Economy Ministry, the cooperation with Biotech Hills is part of Slovenia's strategic response to improving European economic resilience, sustainability and innovation.

"The goal of the joint effort will be to make Slovenia the most attractive destination in Europe for research and development, production and investment in start-ups, SMEs and large companies in this field," the ministry said.

Biotech Hills director Nik Prebil said that biotechnology offered a unique opportunity to show the world that Slovenia was the most attractive destination for companies to invest in research and development and in production capacity.

The biotech accelerator has been created based on an initiative of the founding partners - the pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Lek, the lab equipment maker Labena, AmCham Slovenia and the business consulting and communication firm Herman & Partnerji.

The primary goal of the government and Biotech Hills is to bring stakeholders together and prepare a strategic plan until 2030, which would help create a friendly collaborative and legislative environment and attract properly skilled staff.

So far serving as Lek's CEO and president of Sandoz Slovenia until the end of September, Ljoljo was replaced as Lek's CEO by Gregor Makuc on 3 September after the company adopted one-tier management. Lek said that Ljoljo was leaving the company.