Conference on Alzheimer’s reveals several advances in the field

In Gothenburg, Sweden, researchers and pharmaceutical companies from all over the world gathered to discuss one specific issue – neurological diseases. Life Science Sweden has talked to some of those that attended the conference.

Major advances in IVF labs in the last few decades

Since the introduction of in vitro fertilisation several decades ago, many developments have been made in the field, and the main part of that development has taken place in the lab.

“I am driven by the desire to develop a product that can be sold worldwide”

Ranked number one in the world by the WHO in diarrhoea research and soon in phase III studies for its vaccine candidate – Scandinavian Biopharma is rushing forward in the pursuit of the world’s first ETEC vaccine. Meet the company’s CEO Björn Sjöstrand.

The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare rejects prioritising andrology as a speciality

Male infertility can be linked to a shorter lifespan and several severe diseases, but when couples who want children are examined, the focus is on the woman. Experts in the field claim that andrology needs to become a speciality in Sweden to increase awareness and knowledge. But the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare says that it is not a priority.

“An entire industry is about to be wiped out”

According to Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubators, Sweden risks not having any small diagnostic companies left in five years.

How critical are the “Spermageddon” reports? – Researchers call for action

A much talked about meta-study indicates that sperm concentration in men’s seminal fluid has halved in 40 years. Experts in andrology that Life Science Sweden speaks to believe that the results must be taken seriously, and call for action from the Swedish authorities.

Column: ”Life as a F1 race”

"The F1 car makes several pit stops during a race and during a lifetime the human being may also have to come in several times for maintenance", Björn Ursing writes in a column.

”AI som både imponerar och skrämmer”

"Tidigare har jag sällan varit särskilt imponerad över något som varit AI-producerat. Men det här är något helt annat", skriver Samuel Lagercrantz i en ledare om Chat GPT och om AI i sjukvården.

Editorial: ”AI that both impresses and frightens”

”In the past, I've rarely been particularly impressed by something that was produced by AI. But this is something completely different”, Samuel Lagercrantz writes in an editorial.

Rapid development in blood analysis – “Sweden is leading the race”

Thousands of analytical tests using just one single drop of blood. What was revealed as a hoax just a few years ago is now a reality, according to KTH professor and serial entrepreneur Mathias Uhlén.

Individual DNA passport could result in fewer drug side effects

You may be required to show a DNA passport when you pick up medicines at the pharmacy in the future. According to a new study, patients might suffer 30% fewer side effects if the drug treatment is adapted to their genes.

Claims of life science companies fleeing abroad is a myth according to survey

The claim that life science companies are moving abroad is exaggerated. In fact, only a tiny percentage is leaving the country, according to a survey.

Precision medicine centre: “Extensive activity on several fronts”

Two years ago, the Karolinska Institutet and the Karolinska University Hospital announced that they would jointly launch the Precision Medicine Centre. Medtech Magazine called Anna Wedell, who is heading the work, to find out…

“Everyone is screaming for talent”

Attracting talent is one of the life science industry’s major future challenges, which was one of the conclusions of the panel discussion that ended the New Horizons in Biologics & Bioprocessing conference on 15 December.

Höstens mest lästa krönikor

Här nedan läser du de mest lästa krönikorna i Life Science Sweden och systertidningen Medtech Magazine från hösten och vintern.

ALS – When the body has given up, but the brain persists

The nerve disease ALS gradually deprives the patient of control over the muscles and, eventually, also of speech. The eyes continue to function, though, and with the help of, among other things, a Swedish-developed invention, communication with the outside world can continue. “It’s their window to the world,” says ALS researcher Caroline Ingre.

“Photon counting in computed tomography is the holy grail”

Erik Fredenberg, a researcher in physics at KTH and GE, is working to implement photon-counting CT in clinics. To shorten lead times and reduce the radiation dose in patients, he is setting out to develop a framework for virtual clinical trials for the technology.

Great Swedish innovations: Eye treatment became a feather in Pharmacia’s cap

From complicated and sometimes risky surgery to a routine procedure. Pharmacia’s injectable Healon revolutionised the field of eye surgery - and is considered by us one of the most important contemporary Swedish innovations in the field of medicine.

She creates pharmaceuticals on a 3D printer

The correct dosage for each individual, regardless of whether the pharmaceutical is for a seriously ill child or a frail elderly person, is the mission of a well-advanced project with 3D-printed drugs at Uppsala University. “It will soon be available

Outsourcing som strategi för ökad trovärdighet

Idag, torsdag, pågår Life Science Swedens event Pharma Outsourcing på Stockholm Waterfront. Under en av föreläsningarna jämfördes för- och nackdelar med att ta sig an uppgifter och problem internt med att köpa in tjänster.

Dags för ”ett av våra mest efterfrågade möten”

The stomach medication that became the biggest blockbuster of the 1990s

The omeprazole molecule was synthesised as early as 1979, but it took many years before the then Astra had an approved pharmaceutical. Once this happened, a tablet was available that was soon to help millions of people worldwide and break all sales records.

Magmedicinen som blev 90-talets största blockbuster

Redan 1979 syntetiserades omeprazolmolekylen. Men det kom att dröja många år innan dåvarande Astra hade ett godkänt läkemedel. När det väl skedde fanns en tablett som kom att hjälpa miljontals människor i världen – och slå alla försäljningsrekord.

Här är hela listan – De viktigaste svenska medicininnovationerna

Högst upp på Life Science Swedens rankning över moderna svenska innovationer inom medicinområdet finns Losec från dåvarande Astra.