Unique Conditions for Life Science Companies
Medicinareberget, home to the Sahlgrenska Academy and the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Gothenburg, is currently in an expansive development phase. Akademiska Hus, which owns the majority of the properties in the area, is working together with the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska Science Park to create the conditions for further development of a world-class life science cluster.
– The vision is to create a place where education, research, healthcare, and industry are brought together in one area, where students, researchers, startup companies, and established life science companies can grow and develop, while also connecting the area with central Gothenburg, says Tony Wolf, Property Manager at Akademiska Hus responsible for Medicinareberget.
Through the construction of the Natrium building, which houses world-leading research environments in natural sciences, premises have been freed up on Medicinaregatan. There, Akademiska Hus, together with Sahlgrenska Science Park, which is responsible for the innovation and startup environment, has established Health Innovation Labs for life science startups.
– At Health Innovation Labs, startups gain access to expert support from Sahlgrenska Science Park’s incubation programs as well as ready-to-use laboratory and office infrastructure, saving time and resources that can instead be devoted to research and development, says Mats Hellström, Lab Manager at Health Innovation Labs.
Facilities for Every Need
Mats Hellström, who previously worked as Head of Laboratory and Associate Professor at the Laboratory for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Gothenburg, notes that there is strong interest in Health Innovation Labs.
– Since opening in 2024, occupancy has exceeded expectations. We offer a consolidated infrastructure that provides both expertise and development opportunities, and several companies collaborate with one another here. When companies have progressed sufficiently within Sahlgrenska Science Park’s innovation environment and are ready for the next step, Akademiska Hus can offer additional premises tailored to their needs.
One example of such premises is Zoologen, which is currently being adapted for innovation-driven companies with laboratories, research environments, and knowledge-intensive operations within life science and other scientific fields. Move-in is scheduled for autumn 2026.
– Once completed, the building will include more than 20 fully renovated laboratory and office spaces ranging from 80 to 900 square meters, with complete laboratory infrastructure and a shared meeting hub. On the ground floor, Friskis & Svettis will operate a gym, explains Anders M Berg, Strategic Property Developer at Akademiska Hus focusing on business and services.
