Polish biotechnology companies reduced spending on biotech activities by 4.1% in 2025 to PLN 3.15 billion, while the number of people involved in their operations fell 23%, according to figures published by Statistics Poland (GUS) on 4 November 2026. Research and development spending across the wider economy moved in the opposite direction, rising 8.4% to nearly PLN 2 billion, largely supported by higher expenditure at universities.
The figures point to a divergence between research funding and commercial activity in the sector. Poland had 250 companies active in the field in 2025, an increase of 1.6% from the previous year, but their combined spending declined.
Business spending declines despite more companies
Companies’ intramural expenditure on biotechnology activities totalled PLN 3,153.7 million, down from approximately PLN 3,288.5 million in 2024. The measure includes a wider range of biotechnology activities than research and development alone, including production.
Businesses financed 93.2% of that expenditure from their own internal funds. Dedicated biotechnology companies accounted for 35.2% of the 250 firms active in the field, or 88 businesses.
Among all biotechnology companies, 169 conducted research and development. Of these, 68.6% were engaged exclusively in R&D rather than combining it with biotechnology production.
| Biotechnology company expenditure | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Intramural expenditure on biotech activities | PLN 3,288.5m | PLN 3,153.7m |
| Annual change | — | −4.1% |
Source: Statistics Poland, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology in Poland in 2025.
Workforce engaged in biotechnology falls 23%
The number of people involved in biotechnology activities at companies fell to 4,931, down by approximately 1,477 from 2024. That represents a decline of 23%.
Of those employees and other personnel, 2,313 worked on biotechnology R&D, 6.8% fewer than a year earlier. The sharper reduction in the overall headcount suggests that employment contracted more strongly in activities outside research and development.
Women accounted for 1,445 people, or 62.5%, of biotechnology R&D personnel at companies.
| Personnel measure, 2025 | People |
|---|---|
| All personnel engaged in company biotechnology activities | 4,931 |
| Of which: company biotechnology R&D | 2,313 |
| Women in company biotechnology R&D | 1,445 |
Most companies remained relatively small. Some 57.2% had no more than 49 employees, 28.8% employed between 50 and 249, and 14% had at least 250.
University research spending supports sector-wide growth
Across all sectors, 284 organisations conducted biotechnology R&D in 2025, 3.3% more than a year earlier. Their combined intramural research expenditure reached PLN 1,998.3 million, an annual increase of 8.4%.
Higher education institutions were the main driver of that increase, with spending rising from PLN 694.7 million to PLN 850.3 million.
Business-sector biotechnology R&D spending edged down from PLN 1,097.1 million to PLN 1,089.0 million. Businesses still accounted for 54.5% of total biotechnology R&D expenditure, followed by universities at 42.5%. Government and private non-profit organisations contributed the remainder.
| Biotechnology R&D expenditure, 2025 | PLN million |
|---|---|
| Business sector | 1,089.0 |
| Higher education | 850.3 |
| Government and private non-profit sector | 59.0 |
| Total | 1,998.3 |
A total of 8,444 people worked in biotechnology R&D across all sectors, with researchers accounting for almost three-quarters of the workforce.
Nanotechnology shows a similar divide
Research spending in nanotechnology increased 10.9% to PLN 408.4 million in 2025, even as the number of organisations conducting such research fell 7.3% to 139.
Universities accounted for 61.8% of nanotechnology R&D expenditure. At the company level, however, the number of businesses engaged in nanotechnology fell to 80, eight fewer than a year earlier.
Those firms reduced spending by 10.6% to PLN 387.4 million, while personnel involved in nanotechnology activities declined 4.3% to 1,204 people.
Nanomaterials remained the dominant application area for 61 of the 80 companies.
Research growth does not necessarily mean commercial expansion
The increase in university research spending contrasted with cuts to company spending and personnel, suggesting that research activity and commercial investment are following different paths.
The figures do not explain individual company decisions or measure how much academic research reaches commercial production.
Source: Statistics Poland (GUS), Biotechnology and Nanotechnology in Poland in 2025, released 4 November 2026. Original Polish article on CEO.com.pl.