A cluster contribution to European life science innovation and competitiveness?

Svenskt gentestbolag köps upp

Gentestbolaget Life Genomics förvärvas av slovenska Gene Planet.

Astra Zeneca pauses multi-million investment in the UK

Astra Zeneca has paused a planned investment worth $270 million. It is the latest pharmaceutical company to pull back on its commitments in the UK.

Novo Nordisk appoints Mike Doustdar as new CEO

The Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has appointed Mike Doustdar as its new CEO. At the same time, the company announced it was lowering its forecasts – which caused the stock to drop sharply on Wednesday.

The scientist behind Novo Nordisk's obesity success: “I never stopped believing in GLP-1”

It took several years of failures in GLP-1 before Lotte Bjerre Knudsen and her colleagues found the right path – but when they did, it was a true breakthrough. "We invested for 25 years while everyone else laughed at us. Now everyone wants to join the game," says Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Chief Scientific Advisor at Novo Nordisk.

Mikael Kubista back with new venture after turbulent exit

Entrepreneur and researcher Mikael Kubista is starting a new company. Now he is also free to comment on the sequence of events that led to him losing ownership of his life's work – the company Tataa Biocenter. “Not only did they take our company away from us. They followed up by showering us with lawsuits,” he says.

Fluicell fick EU-patent – ”Viktigt framsteg”

Life science-bolaget Fluicell har beviljats patent i EU för sin teknik för att skapa tredimensionella biologiska vävnader.

Health politician Lina Nordquist: ”I find it hard to be idle”

She is the pharmacist and researcher who grew tired of the breakthroughs that never materialised and knowledge that never seemed to reach patients, so she decided to make a change from within. Life Science Sweden meets Lina Nordquist, Member of Parliament for the Liberals and their spokesperson on healthcare policy, to have a conversation about reality, politics, and the need for writing.

Life science trends 2025 – Neurology

New Alzheimer's drugs are beginning to be used in Sweden, more deals in the neuro sector are expected, and tools for deliver active substances across the blood-brain barrier are being developed. In addition, a new type of drug for MS is making its debut. This part of trend insights on life science 2025 is about neurology.

He takes over the chairmanship of Karolinska Development

Ben Toogood is appointed as the new chairman of Karolinska Developments.

Life science trends 2025 – The economy

Upcoming patent expirations are driving pharmaceutical companies to acquire in 2025. In Sweden, we may be on our way to brighter times and fewer bankruptcies. Today´s part of the series with trend insights in life science for 2025 is about the economy.

Rise and Scantox cease conducting animal testing in Stockholm

Access to in vivo toxicology services is significantly decreasing in the Stockholm area as Rise shuts down animal testing and Scantox reorganizes. ”The costs are high, and demand is weak”, says the division manager at Rise to Life Science Sweden.

Large study on milk: Risky for women but not for men

The risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and acute myocardial infarction (MI) increased for women with milk intake levels higher than 2 glasses per day, while no such association was found in men, according to a new large Swedish study.

Investigations against AstraZeneca: ”Chinese interests may be behind them”

Why are there several investigations against AstraZeneca employees in China right now? Life Science Sweden continues to seek answers.

A new life science cluster formed – “We are very strong in talent”

Stockholm and Uppsala’s joint life science cluster aims to be among the best in Europe. Pontus Holm, Life Science Coordinator for Region Stockholm, says the decision to create a joint profile for the two cities is strongly supported. He mentions that around 50 stakeholders were asked last winter if they were in favour of a joint cluster and that “the answer was a resounding yes”.

Leo Pharma to cut 200 jobs and reorganize

Danish Leo Pharma cuts down on staff in its global operations. Around 200 positions will be cut, while 50 will be moved to Poland.

Obesity-drug pioneers win Lasker Award

This year’s Lasker Prize in Clinical Research has been awarded to three researchers for their discoveries in GLP-1-based drugs that, according to the jury, “have revolutionised the treatment of obesity”. Among others, Novo Nordisk’s Lotte Bjerre Knudsen is honoured.

Thumbs down for lecanemab in the EU – “Very surprised”

The Azheimer's drug lecanemab has received a negative assessment from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), according to an announcement made by the Agency last week. Bioarctic’s CEO Gunilla Osswald describes the reactions after the announcement as a surprise and disappointment.

Sofia Wallström is Lif's new CEO

Sofia Wallström has been appointed as the new CEO of the industry organization Lif, the trade association for the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Sweden.

Nobel Prize winner Torsten Wiesel turns 100: “Old men like me should use their experience to help the young”

In 1955, a young Torsten Wiesel jumped on a boat to the US and embarked on a fabulous career as a neuroscientist, crowned with a Nobel Prize for his work. Now 100 years old, he looks back on an intense life and his upbringing in Stockholm, Sweden, which shaped his desire to help the vulnerable in society.

The life science strategy – what the industry wants

The process of updating the national life science strategy has begun at the government’s life science office. According to industry stakeholders, Sweden’s competitiveness, the accessibility of health data and the integration of innovation in healthcare are some of the points that are essential to review.

Anna Törner: ”Orphan Designation – the "petite robe noire" of drug development”

It is easy to cling to various regulatory incentives, like orphan designation, and other expedited pathways, without understanding what they truly mean or whether they are indeed right (or wrong) for the current project, Anna Törner writes in a column.

“Life science is important on a personal level”

From the High Coast to the Government Offices. Jeanette Edblad is a native of Ångermanland, and since September last year, she has been Head and Coordinator of the Government’s Life Science Office.

Marie Gårdmark: ”Interchangeable biological medicines – soon in a pharmacy near you?”

”Generic competition is an effective way to push down drug prices, but it has not worked equally well for biosimilars. Biosimilars require more time to gain market share compared to generics, and new biosimilars do not always lead to lower prices” writes