Life science

Life science is one of Gothenburg’s fastest-growing sectors and major investments are taking place. The region is home to Scandinavia’s largest university hospital and one of AstraZeneca’s three globally strategic R&D centres. Here you’ll find a talented workforce, an ethos of collaboration and a proven ecosystem for innovation. 

Gothenburg is Sweden's leading region for business R&D and an important hub for Sweden’s life science sector. The region has a vibrant life science ecosystem - featuring recognised universities, a science park, incubators and multiple testbeds - which fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Here we have many global companies, as well as a fast-growing start-up and scale-up scene.

AstraZeneca is the region’s largest life science employer with around 2,800 employees at its R&D site in Gothenburg. At the heart of its facility also lies the BioVentureHub where promising biotech, medtech and e-health companies are based and collaborate closely with the pharma giant. 

Other major companies headquartered or operating in Gothenburg include Essity, Dentsply-Sirona, Mölnlycke Healthcare, Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions, Cellink, BICO Group, Vitrolife and Mediq. 

Attracting major investments 

In recent years many companies and organisations have chosen to establish or expand operations in Gothenburg. A few examples are Dentsply-Sirona, Fosun Pharma, AstraZeneca, Cellink/BICO and General Electric as well as The Swedish Research Institute (RISE) and Clinical Studies Sweden.  

The life science cluster in Mölndal, known as GoCo Health Innovation City, is expanding rapidly and approximately EUR 400 million will be invested. The area beside AstraZeneca’s R&D centre is under development and will grow by 200,000 sqm - and there will be space for an additional 350 companies and 7,000 people.

Nearby, EUR 600 million will also be invested in the coming years in Sahlgrenska Life, a unique clinical research environment that will further strengthen the collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry. By 2030, an estimated 21,500 people will work or study here.

Resources & 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 helps entrepreneurs and innovators to develop their business ideas into international growth companies.
• Health Innovation West is a cluster organisation that works to strengthen the life science cluster in West Sweden. 
• 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. 
• Health Tech Arena is a business and knowledge network for commercialising biotechnology, medical devices, eHealth, health technology and pharmaceuticals.  
• 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.