Aiming to Become One of Europe’s Leading Life Science Clusters
The life science cluster Medicon Valley Alliance, with more than 330 members, consists of life science companies, universities, and hospitals across the Öresund region, a collaborative area also known as Medicon Valley. The organization’s strategy for 2025–2028 is for the region to be recognized as a leading life science hub in Europe by 2028, inspired by major U.S. life science hubs.
– We will achieve this goal by promoting cross-border collaboration, world-leading research and development, innovation, and strong public-private partnerships. Although the Nordics are advanced in several areas, collaboration across borders is essential to compete at a European and global level, explains Anette Steenberg, CEO of Medicon Valley Alliance.
With a large and growing membership base, new connections and collaborations are continuously formed within Medicon Valley Alliance. Over the past year, Skåne University Hospital in Lund and Malmö has entered into a major collaboration agreement with Denmark’s largest hospital, Rigshospitalet, covering several areas.
– This collaboration is highly significant for our region. When these hospitals work more closely together in clinical trials, studies, ATMP, and other hospital areas, it expands to include more fields and stakeholders, while also increasing overall impact.
Women’s Health in Focus
Medicon Valley Alliance has several focus areas and, based on the region’s expertise and history, has identified women’s health as a field where Medicon Valley can become an international leader.
– For four years, we have focused on strengthening knowledge of women’s health across research, development, and innovation. In parallel, Sahlgrenska University Hospital has initiated work in this area, and we are currently in dialogue regarding future collaborations.
Anette Steenberg explains that women’s health extends beyond female-specific diseases to include conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, and others where symptoms and treatments may differ between women and men.
– As in cell and gene therapy, another major focus area within our cluster, there are many exciting opportunities for startups and companies.
– The life science sector faces challenges, such as financing and U.S. tariffs, but by continuing to collaborate and share data and knowledge, we can find new solutions and grow together.
