Founded in 2010 as a spin-out of the National Institute of Biology, BioSistemika specializes in software solutions and digitalization consulting for life science laboratories. Under the leadership of CEO Roswita Golčer Hrastnik, the company quickly recognized the value of combining interdisciplinary scientific and technical expertise. “This synergy is our greatest added value; we understand laboratories inside out,” Golčer Hrastnik says. “It drives the quality, efficiency, and success of the software we deliver.”

Central to the company’s approach is its commitment to its people. As Golčer Hrastnik emphasizes, “what really matters is that people communicate effectively and are driven by curiosity and passion.” This open and collaborative culture, she notes, “enables innovation, encourages communication, and allows people to feel comfortable contributing ideas.” This approach led to the creation of the company’s signature product, SciNote, an electronic laboratory notebook that has achieved wide success.

In 2018, BioSistemika started developing Datana, a DNA data storage solution designed to address the challenge of long-term data archiving. Having already attracted significant European funding, the company is now seeking strategic investors to further scale the project. For Golčer Hrastnik, Slovenia’s highly educated workforce, central European location, and BioSistemika’s proven track record combine to create a compelling opportunity for U.S. investors targeting the expanding global life sciences market. “For our American clients, we are a trusted strategic ally—innovative, reliable, and deeply knowledgeable.”

Alongside its success in product development, BioSistemika’s distinguishing strength lies in developing software solutions that meet global regulatory environments. “We are familiar with the requirements not only in pharma and medical diagnostics but also across different regions,” Golčer Hrastnik notes, highlighting the company’s agility in navigating complex compliance landscapes. “Understanding these nuances allows us to help clients bring their products to market faster while meeting all compliance requirements. We are highly effective at accelerating our clients’ time to market.”

As BioSistemika continues to expand, the outlook remains ambitious. “In a specialized field like ours, global orientation is essential.” This is accompanied by a mission that remains focused on developing scalable, user-friendly, and compliant software. “We excel in software development,” Golčer Hrastnik adds. “Our clients rely on us to deliver market-ready software on time, aligned with their product launches.”

Engineering innovation

Engineering meets excellence at Slovenian firms like Gostol and BIA Separations, advancing technologies from heavy industry to bioprocessing.

GOSTOL - GOSPAN

The GOSTOL Group supplies integrated industrial solutions for commercial bakeries, including equipment for every stage of the dough mixing, proofing, baking, and cooling process. In recent years, the company has been successfully targeting bigger brands, leveraging its 70+ years of sector experience to win large-scale contracts with international clients. “Nowadays, most clients expect to be given the whole package, which includes solutions, quality, and responsibility for the products,” explains Managing Director Fabrizio Korošec. “There are not many competitors who are able to do all that we can.” In fact, GOSTOL can offer a bespoke manufacturing service, supplying custom machines for niche product lines. This strategy has fueled impressive growth. “Through strategic positioning and dedication, we successfully grew from $15 million to $45 million in six years,” says Korošec.

The GOSTOL Group supplies integrated industrial solutions for commercial bakeries, including equipment for every stage of the dough mixing, proofing, baking, and cooling process. In recent years, the company has been successfully targeting bigger brands, leveraging its 70+ years of sector experience to win large-scale contracts with international clients. “Nowadays, most clients expect to be given the whole package, which includes solutions, quality, and responsibility for the products,” explains Managing Director Fabrizio Korošec. “There are not many competitors who are able to do all that we can.” In fact, GOSTOL can offer a bespoke manufacturing service, supplying custom machines for niche product lines. This strategy has fueled impressive growth. “Through strategic positioning and dedication, we successfully grew from $15 million. We aim to strengthen our commercial footprint by partnering with forward-looking clients.” GOSTOL’s solutions feature highly automated, synchronized systems with turnkey controls—innovations designed to meet client demand for quality, efficiency, and scalability. “Our biggest effort is digitalization and flexible industrialization,” says Korošec. “This means that, on the one hand, you can bake diverse types of bread at the same time, and, on the other, we improve automation.” In the U.S., GOSTOL is already working with bakery group Bimbo, delivering for one of its largest sites in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Now, Korošec’s goal is to expand his company’s U.S. presence over the next five years via strategic collaboration. “We aim to strengthen our commercial footprint by partnering with forward-looking clients who are not only growing but also willing to invest in a shared future,” he says.

BIA SEPARATIONS

Operating from a dedicated research, production, and training facility in Ajdovščina, BIA Separations is the leading developer of monolith technology and chromatographic columns for the production, purification, and analysis of large biomolecules. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, BIA Separations develops products that are revolutionizing the purification of viruses for vaccines and gene vectors, pursuing the highest quality standards in its research, development, and production facilities. The organization’s growth strategy is focused on international markets, with 80% of exports going to the U.S. “My business partners and top collaborators are in the U.S.,” explains Founder and CEO Aleš Štrancar. “I am very open to working with the U.S.”

BIA Separations represents an attractive proposition for U.S. biopharmaceutical companies looking for a top-tier ally in manufacturing processes. The company currently supplies Novartis and other well-known brands in the U.S., while also collaborating with institutions like the North Carolina Biotech Center. “Clients trust us to deliver, and we meet their expectations. That is how we have grown,” says Štrancar.

The business was founded to advance the field of gene therapy, with the aim of solving one of its main bottlenecks: manufacturing. Now, BIA Separations’ research focus has expanded to cancer therapy projects. “Our company’s role is to support pharmaceutical developers in creating and producing therapies—gene and cancer therapies—more efficiently and effectively,” says Štrancar. “That is what drives us. We help companies striving to develop new treatments because these illnesses are growing faster than natural rates.”