Reflecting on more than a decade of life and work in Malta, Italian founder Manuele Biazzo summarizes his journey in one sentence: “I came to Malta for work, but I stayed because it was the first place where building a company like this was truly possible.”

Manuele’s path into biotech, however, began long before he arrived on the island. He earned a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Bologna, an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University, and a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition, and along the way he authored several scientific publications, patented new innovations, won the Mondadori Prize and received recognition at FameLab for his ability to communicate complex ideas to a broad audience. He specialized in preclinical drug discovery, focusing on infectious diseases, neurodegeneration, metabolic syndrome and cancer research.

These experiences took him into leadership roles across Europe. As Director of R&D at ICP, he helped drive growth in industrial operations and client acquisition. Yet despite his success, he felt something was missing. He enjoyed research, but he also wanted to see discoveries move from the lab into real-world applications. That drive would shape the next chapter of his career.

When work brought him to Malta in 2013, he arrived without expectations. But he quickly realized the island had something that Italy lacked: a business environment where startups could grow with real institutional support. “In Italy, it felt almost impossible to imagine setting up a biotech company alone,” he recalls. “Here, there were tools, incentives and the openness to give it a try.”

In 2019, Manuele cofounded The BioArte with his German partner Dr Christian Duchow, whom he met in Malta. The decision to establish their business on the island rather than in Italy or Germany reflected both practical and symbolic factors. Malta’s small but agile ecosystem offered grants, tax incentives and access to networks that smoothed the path from idea to execution.

The BioArte focuses on the human microbiota: the trillions of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies, shaping health and disease. The company’s diagnostic analyses explore both essential and pathogenic microbes, and its research is developing personalized remedies by harnessing molecules derived from the microbiome. It’s a field with enormous potential to revolutionize medicine, from gastrointestinal health to neurodegeneration.

The company’s blend of scientific rigor and entrepreneurial vision earned recognition from Forbes, who placed it among the biotech innovators to watch in Europe. For Manuele, the approach is defined by pragmatism. “We don’t do research to do only research,” he says. “We do applied research. We always start from the problem we want to solve, and we design the experiments to reach that goal.” He sees applied research not just as a methodology but as a mindset for leadership. “It’s about focusing on the real-world problems, not just curiosity. Curiosity is for the lab. Entrepreneurship is about impact.” This clarity has shaped BioArte’s trajectory, and it’s also what Manuele emphasizes when mentoring younger scientists who are considering starting their own companies.

But launching a biotech startup on a small island nation comes with its own set of hurdles, and attracting specialized talent is one of the toughest. When Manuele first arrived, salaries were low, but so were living costs.

A good apartment in 2013 might cost €400 a month. Today, the same place costs more than €1,000, while salaries have only slightly increased. “If you offer a net salary comparable to Milan but the rent is the same, it’s not easy to convince people to relocate,” he explains.

For a startup without the security of a multinational brand, this meant finding people motivated not only by money but by the opportunity to join an ambitious young company. Recruiting scientists willing to take a risk on a small but visionary team was a test of leadership and culture-building.

Clinical trials are another obstacle. With Malta’s limited patient population and a relatively new regulatory framework, the process is slower and more complicated than in larger countries. “The research in the lab is perfect, but the clinical trials are very difficult to address here,” Manuele says. Logistics adds another layer of complexity. Almost everything – from samples to equipment – has to travel by air. “It’s simply part of the calculation you have to make when you settle here.”

Yet what is difficult elsewhere often comes easier in Malta. Manuele points to the openness of the ecosystem and the accessibility of institutions. “Here, you’re not invisible. Even as a small company with just an idea, we received the support we needed. If you write a strong project, it will be seen and supported.”

The competitive landscape is also shaped by a sense of collaboration. “It’s a relaxed competition. Once you’re accepted, there’s mutual respect among operators. You don’t feel blocked or slowed down by others.” This community-driven atmosphere gave BioArte the breathing space to grow.

Sure, the Malta that Manuele encountered in 2013 is not the same country he lives in today. Back then, it was a peaceful place to settle: affordable, international and full of opportunities. The island’s rapid economic growth since then has been both a blessing and a curse.

On the one hand, the influx of business and people has fueled innovation and made Malta more connected than ever. On the other hand, overcrowding, construction and skyrocketing rents have changed its character. “The quality of life has decreased compared to when I arrived,” Manuele says. “But for me, what keeps me here is the business. The support we need is here, and our employees are happy to work with us. That is priceless.”

For longtime residents, the transformation has been gradual. “We don’t really feel it on our skin the same way newcomers do, because we’ve lived through the changes year by year,” he says, noting that Malta is still attractive for newcomers due to its seaside landscapes, European location and of course, Mediterranean weather. Still, he worries about sustainability, pointing to the growth of fish farms along the coast and the need to balance development with care for natural resources.

Despite gentrification and accelerated urban development, Manuele notes that his largest hurdles personally came from his journey from researcher to founder. At first, it felt daunting – moving from scientific intuition to managing compliance, finances and operations – but he discovered that the key lay in trust. “To be a founder is really easy if you trust your people and your team. You just ask, you get the answer, and you guide decisions.”

Asked what he would say to others considering starting up in Malta, Manuele doesn’t hesitate. “Don’t rush. Have a very clear idea of what you want to do, and when you want to do it. Visit, ask questions, calculate carefully with the support of local entities – they will help you. And once you feel ready, move and start.”

It’s practical advice rooted in the same clarity and patience that have guided him from researcher to entrepreneur. For him, Malta is still a place of opportunity if approached with preparation and focus.

The future of BioArte lies in expanding its innovations beyond Malta’s shores while keeping the island as its base. Exporting diagnostics and scaling personalized remedies to larger markets is the next frontier, but for Manuele, Malta will always be the heart of it all, the place where his entrepreneurial journey began. “This is where it was possible,” he says simply. “And for me, that’s what makes it home.”

Do you have a favorite book?
Saltatempo by Stefano Benni.

What is your most used app?
LinkedIn and Netflix.

What do you do to start your working day well?
I just wake up. I don’t need anything else.

When did you found your first business?
The very first, 27.

What’s your favorite place for deep work or creative thinking?
Dingli Cliffs. Very nice for the view, even if not for swimming.

Which café would you recommend?
Any older café by the beach, close to the sea.

Which tourist attraction would you recommend?
St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Anything you would like to do in Malta and haven’t done?
I haven’t been to the Blue Grotto.

Do you have a favorite weekend activity in Malta?
Swimming or going out on the boat, especially in the south near Marsaxlokk or Il-Ħofra l-Kbira.

What’s your favorite swimming spot?
Ta fra ben, a rocky beach close to my home.