Taking Gothenburg's collaborative spirit in life science to new heights
The vision is a world-class life science district with 350 companies and 7,000 people. Large parts are already up and running - and attracting global talent and companies. Now construction of the next phase entailing 100,000 sqm is underway. First up is a large-scale building with state-of-the-art labs and advanced training environments.
The new 14,000 sqm combination building is called GoCo Active Lab. Like the rest of GoCo Health Innovation City, it’s designed to facilitate collaboration and bring together the forces of industry, academia and the public sector. It is scheduled to be complete during the summer of 2026.
The new labs will be the base for CCRM Nordic, a national centre focusing on the development and production of advanced medicines and treatments, known as ATMPs. Unlike conventional drugs, which are chemically synthesized in a lab, these are based on genes, tissues or cells. They hold great potential for both patients with serious and currently untreatable diseases, and Sweden’s export-intensive life science sector.
“We are very proud and pleased that we get to move into a building that meets our needs for advanced labs and at the same time provides us with an opportunity for collaboration, innovation and focus on people's health. This is completely in line with what we stand for and gives us the right conditions for successfully contributing to the development of future drugs,” said Fredrik Wessberg, CEO of CCRM Nordic, in a press release.
The building will also be a research arena for several major players such as Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Chalmers University of Technology, the University of Gothenburg and OligoNova, the centre for oligonucleotide therapies.
The second part of the new building consists of the Active concept, where new findings in sports medicine, mental health and nutrition are combined with resources for training and rehab for both elite athletes and the general public.
A key person in the investment is the hockey legend Henrik Lundquist, who is one of the owners. The goal is to contribute to better public health by creating bridges between elite, general sports and the latest research.
The district is expanding quickly
Parallel to the development of GoCo Active Lab, the district is growing, with more researchers, entrepreneurs and companies getting involved. Already today, over 70 actors have moved in.
Among them are the diagnostic company Fujirebio Diagnostics, medtech company Xvivo Perfusion, biotech company Ribocure, and local carmaker Volvo Cars.
Early next year, Mölnlycke Healthcare will also move its headquarters to the site. The global medtech company is moving into a newly built 16,000 sqm premise, with space for 800 people.
In total 200,000 sqm is being developed beside AstraZeneca’s large R&D site, a project worth around EUR 400 million.
The surrounding area, known as Mölndal, has long been a hub for Gothenburg’s life science sector, with global companies Wellspect, Dentsply-Sirona, Essity and Smith & Nephew operating important R&D sites there.
“Life science is an area of strength for Gothenburg and Sweden. What’s happening in Mölndal is building on our region’s successful tradition and creating even more possibilities for collaboration. It’s further strengthening the attractiveness of our region for investments, talents and international collaborations,” says Iris Öhrn, investment for advisor for life science at Business Region Göteborg.
Facts about GoCo Health Innovation City
- Phase 1 entails 100,000 sqm and started in 2020. Among the completed buildings are the signature building GoCo House, Fujirebio’s building and GoCo Clinic, a centre for care and research.
- Phase 2 also entails 100,000 sqm and is located directly between AstraZeneca’s R&D site and the phase 1 development.
Facts about the life science sector in Gothenburg’s county, Västra Götaland
- Employs around 10,000 people and includes 700 companies
- Home to the Nordic countries’ largest university hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
- Largest private employers are AstraZeneca, Essity, Dentsply IH, Mölnlycke Healthcare and Tamro.
- Another key hub is the area around the Medicine Hill (Medicinareberget). It is the base for Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Sahlgrenska Science Park and Chalmers University of Technology, as well as many small and medium sized companies.
- EUR 600 million will be invested in the coming years in Sahlgrenska Life, a unique clinical research environment at Medicine Hill that will further strengthen the collaboration between researchers, clinicians and industry. By 2030, an estimated 21,500 people will work or study here.
Read more
- Life science - one of our key sectors
- Gothenburg ramps up ecosystem for future medicine development
- Strong international interest as life science development doubles in size
Want to be part of our life science sector?
Whether you're looking to expand operations, invest in or partner with players in our region, we're here to help. Get in touch with Iris Öhrn, our investment advisor for life science today.