Life Sciences: a key sector in Lombardy
How much is the industry worth today, and what are the results from the investigation presented in the latest edition of the Milan Life Sciences Forum?
In a context where national attention to the Life Sciences sector is increasing, as evidenced by recent co-financing initiatives by the Ministry of Health (€15 million) directed towards technology transfer centers, Life Sciences confirms to be a key sector in Lombardy, contributing to 13% of the GDP.
The sector boasts a production value of over 74 billion euros, an added value of nearly 27 billion euros, and more than 340,000 employees. Lombardy is currently among the top-performing regions in terms of providing healthcare services, with 19 IRCCS (Institutes of Scientific Hospitalization and Care) out of the 53 recognized at the national level.
With around 1,900 highly innovative businesses and healthcare organizations, 40% of the largest companies in the region have a research hub, attracting one-third of national investments in research and development in the Pharmaceutical and Medtech sectors, totaling 900 million euros.
Looking ahead, the Lombard regional health and social plan for 2023-2027 allows us to project actions until 2050, guiding the necessary changes and identifying areas for intervention. In this regard, during the Milano Life Sciences Forum Assolombarda 2023, the results of the report "Sustainability and Resilience of the Lombard Healthcare System" were presented, conducted by the Alta Scuola di Economia e Management dei Sistemi Sanitari dell'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (ALTEMS), with the support of Assolombarda and the Lombardy Region.
The investigation highlighted three specific areas to focus on for further strengthening the sector:
- enhancement of healthcare services to provide high care standards;
- development of valued-based payment systems;
- creation of a coordination body for studies in the field of Life Sciences.
All of this is in the hope of increasing collaboration and synergy between the public and private sectors, industrial and institutional entities, which have so far ensured a consistently evolving path for the benefit of citizens.
In summary, Lombardy boasts an extremely developed and competitive Life Sciences sector both nationally and internationally, where know-how, professionalism, and collaboration between parties have led to excellent results.
All of this makes Lombardy a strategic hub for foreign companies interested in establishing their businesses in the region.
Source:
