Life Science

Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s leading life science regions. It has a strong and international research community, where innovations such as mind steered prosthetics, cancer vaccines and digital healthcare solutions are being developed. In many cases, our breakthroughs are being commercialized via the region's business incubators and science parks, and new start-ups are emerging constantly. At the same time Gothenburg's major companies are striving for global leadership in their fields.

AstraZeneca is the region’s biggest private employer with around 2,500 employees. At the heart of its facility also lies the BioVenture Hub 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 and Novartis.

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“Gothenburg is a hotbed for 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 digital health and imaging technologies, biotech and medical devices. 

Gothenburg’s strong ICT sector is enabling the rapid growth in digital health. The area is high on the agenda and each year the city hosts Scandinavia’s leading eHealth event, Vitalis, which attracts around 4,500 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 locate, expand or do business 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. 

Strategic investments in cutting edge facilities have and are being made. A few of the new additions include a new centre for imaging and intervention at Sahlgrenska University Hospital worth EUR 200 million, and a new research centre for molecular and translational medicine worth EUR 65 million. In the coming years EUR 300 million will be invested in Sahlgrenska Life, a new hub for biomedical translational research at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. 

EUR 365 million will also be invested in Gothenburg CoValley a new arena for life science and innovation. 100,000 square metres will be developed directly beside AstraZeneca's R&D facility and the aim is to create a leading international research cluster.

 

 

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.

BioVentureHub is an initiative where AstraZeneca offers emerging biotech/medtech companies the opportunity to co-locate, use its facilities and cooperate.

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.

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. 

Your contacts

Looking for potential partners? 

A good starting point is our Gothenburg directory where you can learn more about our life science companies and organisations. 

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