Life Science
Life science is one of Gothenburg’s fastest growing sectors and major investments are taking place. The region is home to one of Europe’s largest university hospitals 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 one of Sweden’s leading life science regions. It has a strong and international R&D community, where innovations such as mind-controlled arm prosthetics, personalised implants, 3D bioprinters and assistive technologies are being developed.
The region has a complete ecosystem including recognised universities, incubators, science parks and testbeds. And with a successful tradition of entrepreneurship and collaboration, innovations are being translated into economic growth.
AstraZeneca is the region’s largest life science employer with around 2,500 employees. 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 and Mediq.
Citat“Gothenburg is a hotbed of innovation. There's a highly qualified workforce, other multinational companies on hand and good transportation. Most people speak English, you're part of the EU … yes, there are many very good reasons.”
- Steven Gallagher, Vice President Business Development & Political Affairs Europe at Cerner
Areas of strength and opportunity
Gothenburg is the leading centre for clinical trials in Sweden. It is home to strong clusters in pharmaceuticals, personal wound and care, biomaterials and anatomical reconstructions, medical technology, in vitro fertilisation and transplantation.
Some of our fastest growing areas are healthtech, imaging technologies, biotech and medical devices.
Gothenburg’s strong ICT sector is enabling the rapid growth in healthtech. The area is high on the agenda and Sweden's vision is to be the world leader in digitised health care and e-health solutions by 2025. Healthtech is also a focus area of Sahlgrenska Science Park. In addition, each year the city hosts Scandinavia’s leading eHealth event, Vitalis, which attracts around 5,000 participants.
Get in touch. Are you looking for a potential partner or investment opportunity? Contact our life science specialist Iris Öhrn.
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 and General Electric as well as The Swedish Research Institute (RISE) and Clinical Studies Sweden.
In the coming years, EUR 300 million will be invested in Sahlgrenska Life, a unique clinical research environment which will weave together the knowledge of researchers, clinicians and industry. EUR 365 million will also be invested in GoCo, a new health innovation cluster. Located next to AstraZeneca’s research facility, the campus will have space for up to 7,000 people, with the first tenants moving in 2021.
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.
Medtech West is a network and collaborative platform for research, education, development and evaluation of new biomedical concepts and technologies.
BioVentureHub is an initiative where AstraZeneca offers emerging biotech/medtech companies the opportunity to co-locate, use its facilities and cooperate.
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 new national centre 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.