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Life science

Life science in Gothenburg

Global companies, cutting-edge R&D, and an exceptional ability to collaborate. Join us in Gothenburg and elevate your business in the Nordic capital of getting things done.

  • 600

    life science companies

  • #1

    highest concentration of natural scientists and engineers among Sweden's metropolitan regions

  • 10,000

    life science employees

A hotspot for life science and health innovation 

Gothenburg is an important hub in Sweden’s growing life science sector. The region is a leading centre for clinical research in the country. It is also home to the Nordic countries’ largest university hospital and one of AstraZeneca’s globally strategic R&D centres. 

Here we have strong universities and research institutes, science parks, incubators, open innovation environments and an exciting mix of large companies and pioneering startups. Gothenburg offers access to healthcare, patients and unique health care data. Here you can progress all the way from idea and development to clinical trials and production. We have a business-oriented ecosystem where collaboration is one of our biggest strengths. 

Collaboration is fuelling growth

As the region has so many companies carrying out R&D, links are being forged between different specialisations and industries. Cross-sector initiatives, synergies, new approaches and breakthroughs are common. With strong science and engineering capabilities, we’re creating a healthier future and breaking new frontiers in multiple areas, including advanced therapies and regenerative medicine, materials science and wound care, health tech and medical imaging. 

AstraZeneca is the region’s largest life science employer with around 3,000 employees at its R&D site in Gothenburg. Other global companies headquartered and/or operating important sites here include Getinge, Essity, Dentsply-Sirona, Mölnlycke Healthcare, Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions, Cellink, Wellspect, Vitrolife, Mediq and Surgical Science. Ten of the companies operating here have a turnover of at least SEK 1 billion (~EUR 86 million) per annum. 

Gothenburg is strategically extremely important for us. We primarily focus on cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, immune and cancer diseases. We put about a quarter of our global R&D investments in Gothenburg.
- Per Alfredsson, head of AstraZeneca Sweden

Considering investing in Gothenburg’s life science sector?

Iris Öhrn and our team of investment advisors can provide you with insights, advice, practical support, and introductions to key stakeholders - to help you capture investment opportunities and elevate your business in Gothenburg. Our investment advisory services are free of charge and tailored to your needs.

Contact Iris Öhrn, investment advisor for life science

Explore the region's companies and organisations

If you are looking for a partner or just want to explore the life science sector in our region, we offer a full directory to the companies and organisations located here.

Access our life science directory

Upcoming life science events

Vitalis

Activity type
Conference

The event begins on

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The event ends on

May 2025
Gothenburg
To registration

Nordic Life Science Days 2025

Activity type
Conference

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The event ends on

Oct 2025
Swedish Congress & Exhibition Centre
To registration

Two vibrant and interconnected hubs

Medicinareberget (Medicine hill), and its surroundings, is a centrally located hub for life science research and innovation. The area gathers thousands of researchers and clinicians, 20,000 students, and nearly 300 health tech companies. Here lies Scandinavia’s largest university hospital, strong academic institutions in medicine, natural sciences and technology, a supportive science park and accelerator, and over 150,000 sqm of innovation labs and office space. The area is also expanding with new buildings and refurbishments both underway and planned.

Another key hub is the cluster in Mölndal, which is expanding rapidly. In the space of a few short years a new district, GoCo Health Innovation City, has emerged and further strengthened the region’s life science sector. The new district, which is located beside AstraZeneca’s R&D site, is gathering local companies and organisations, and attracting new ones to the region. Mölnlycke Health Care, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Wellspect and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals are some of the companies operating key sites here. The vision for GoCo Health Innovation City is a world-class life science district with 350 companies and 7,000 people, where collaboration is built into the core.

  • #1

    largest university hospital in the Nordics

  • 100+

    pipeline projects

  • #1

    clinical research in Sweden

The Nordics’ largest healthcare market

With a population of 10.5 million, Sweden represents the Nordic countries' largest healthcare market. Health spending per capita is among the highest in the EU. The level of health services is high, and the market embraces advanced technologies and innovations that improve patient care and increase efficiency.

Swedish counties are responsible for financing, purchasing and providing health services. In Västra Götaland, Gothenburg’s county, with 1.8 million residents, the annual healthcare budget is around EUR 6 billion. Västra Götaland is at the forefront of healthcare and research in multiple areas including oncology, transplantations, precision medicine and ATMPs.

A key feature is Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, which has around 1,300 beds and 17,000 employees. In 2024, it carried out 66,000 operations, 14.4 million lab analyses and over 350 organ transplantations.

Two persons working in a lab_Life Science

Sweden’s life science sector – key facts

  • Ranked 2nd in the world for biotech innovation
  • €5 billion invested annually in R&D across life science
  • 4,000 companies in the sector and Sweden’s third largest export category  
  • Global leader in pharmaceutical exports, valued at €15 billion annually
  • Unique IP rights for academic research enable early-stage commercialization 

Source: Business Sweden (2025). 
Photo: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se

Resources and support

Here is just a small sample of the networks, organisations, and science parks that are part of our life science ecosystem. Please contact us if you would like more information. 

  • Sahlgrenska Science Park Is a non-profit accelerator for health tech startups and scaleups. It also offers shared lab and office space for early-stage life science companies. In addition, it helps facilitate collaboration through collaborative projects and networks.
  • Health Innovation West is a collaboration forum that works to strengthen the life science cluster in West Sweden. Among other things, it produces insightful reports.
  • AstraZeneca BioVentureHub is an ecosystem offering emerging biotech/medtech companies the opportunity to co-locate and interact with AstraZeneca experts, and each other. 
  • Gothia Forum acts as a meeting place and a resource for everyone working with clinical research in the region.
  • Chalmers Ventures provides financing and support for technology-based business concepts and growth companies.
  • GU Ventures provides financing and support for projects and companies that are spawned by the University of Gothenburg.
  • Innovation Platform is part of Region Västra Götaland, which is responible for healthcare in West Sweden. It acts as a key link between businesses and healthcare.  
  • AI Innovation of Sweden is a hub for AI-related research and innovation, involving partners from industry and academia, where teams will have the opportunity to co-locate and share ideas, data and resources. 

Looking for a job in Gothenburg?

The Gothenburg region boasts a thriving business environment and is Sweden’s leading hub for business research and development. At the Move to Gothenburg website, you’ll find the right tools to get started, including tips, advice, and a job portal to help you navigate your job search. 

Become part of a dynamic and innovative community!

Visit Move to Gothenburg

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