The life science industry in Sweden is performing well, with high growth and robust exports. What does the future look like? The prospects for keeping pace with this trend are excellent – if we succeed in putting our strategies into practice. To do so, we need a sustainable national agenda that rests on regional strengths.
The future of life science in Sweden was discussed at a standing-room-only seminar at Almedalen. Region Västra Götaland, together with the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers, and Business Region Gothenburg had invited representatives from the university, health care and medical services, research funders and the business community to the discussion.
Clear conclusion
The conclusion was clear. The prospects for Sweden to keep pace with this trend are excellent, on condition that we have a sustainable national agenda that builds on regional strengths and that we succeed in putting our strategies into practice.
The Swedish life science industry is performing well with a high growth rate and robust exports, with about 42,000 employees in the “core” companies. Anna Sandström, analyst at Vinnova (the Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems), began by describing the industry’s dynamics:
“It’s becoming difficult to find large Swedish life science companies that aren’t foreign-owned. That’s why we need to more clearly define how Sweden contributes to innovation and renewal at these companies.”
Investment in infrastructure
The Swedish Government has shown the way by allocating considerable space to life science in the research and development bill, including direct funds for purposes such as major infrastructure projects.
“SciLifeLab is a national priority and should be able to be used by researchers throughout Sweden and also be able to interact with other technology platforms in other parts of the country. The hope is to help achieve greater mobility, to increase exchanges with researchers in other countries and thereby further strengthen Swedish research,” said Margareta Olsson Birgersson, member of the Board of Directors for Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab).
Lars Börjesson, Board of Directors for European Spallation Source (ESS), underscored the government’s clear focus on life science:
“This is a ‘once-in-a life time’ opportunity for Sweden. In order to benefit from initiatives such as ESS and MAX IV, we need to build up an environment in which the universities are proactive and help create good leverage between academia and business. Then these efforts can serve as a gateway to the entire Swedish innovation system.”
Functioning ecosystem
AstraZeneca’s decision to designate Mölndal as one of three strategic global research sites is an important announcement for Swedish life science. What factors affect such decisions and create conditions for a continued presence in Sweden?
“We must have a well-functioning ecosystem. Sweden competes with areas such as the Boston area and the Bay area in the US and the Golden Triangle in England. Scandinavia can’t be divided up into subgroups. It’s important to break down barriers and not just discuss a national agenda, but begin to act,” said Jan-Olof Jacke, head of financing for global research management at AstraZeneca and head of the research site in Mölndal.
Karin Markides, President and CEO of Chalmers, agreed:
“It is with great pleasure that we see a commitment to life science in the research bill and on a European level. Now it’s up to us to shape it. Within academia, we must ensure that meeting places are created between industry and academia, to which students are also invited. We must also do a better job of branding so that we can work together to establish a national agenda. If we can attract AstraZeneca’s competition to establish operations here, then we’ve come a long way.”
Priorities
Ann-Sofi Lodin, regional director at Region Västra Götaland, gave her view of the region’s role in supporting life science:
“The region has two major missions: one is health care with research and development, and the other is regional growth and development, where life science is a priority. We want to create an environment that attracts more enterprises in the life science industry to Sweden, and preferably to Västra Götaland. We are involved in initiatives such as Gothia Forum, which facilitates the entrance of companies in contact with academia and the healthcare system. We also need to become better at creating an environment for testing and implementing new research, in an orderly manner.”
Facilities
An initiative focusing on “open sites” is underway.
“This means that we open our fantastic facilities for biotech companies and academia in order to achieve a greater return with flows inwards and outwards. We have invited RVG’s management and universities to collaborate on this project and have produced very specific plans. In the past there have been far too many ‘coffee and doughnut’ meetings with no results. Our goal is also to double the number of students working on degree projects to improve student contact,” said Jan-Olof Jacke.
Karin Markides wants to help the students:
“There aren’t any meeting places where students are involved in shaping society for the new challenges. We want to work with the University of Gothenburg to establish a Swedish model of ‘Challenge lab’ like the ones at Stanford and in Vancouver. That’s how we can get students to stay in the immediate region, developing innovations and becoming established here,” she said.
Innovation Council
Anders Lönnberg (S), a county councilman in Stockholm, focused on the link between patient visits and research:
“We need a new type of innovation council, a triple helix developed into a quadruple helix by including the patients. The Council should handle prioritisation and systems issues and establish a presence both nationally and around each university hospital. The healthcare law should also include a clearer responsibility for development. The healthcare system does not own the patients; each patient visit should not just be a link in the healthcare chain, but should also be a component of research and development.”
Take advantage of creativity
Jonas Andersson (Fp) is a regional councilman in Region Västra Götaland and vice chairman of the healthcare committee.
“We need to create time and opportunity for research in health care, not just short waiting lists. We can also take better advantage of the creativity of the 45,000 healthcare employees and the knowledge found within the organisation. By doing so these ideas will have the opportunity to grow and be put to use,” he said.
Break down hierarchies
Kerstin Brunnström, chairperson, Sahlgrenska University Hospital board of directors, wants to support creative employees and to break down hierarchies.
“We can accomplish a lot on the hospital level. We have to work at developing a culture that promotes creativity and breaks down hierarchies. We have to work to set goals, monitor and support employees in the innovation process. The hospital management is now working to strengthen research and innovation in the region and the rest of the country – a lot is happening and we’re already on our way.”
