A cluster contribution to European life science innovation and competitiveness?

Sarah Lidé: ”Artificial intelligence must not replace authentic interactions”

Artificial intelligence must never become a replacement for authentic, even if messy, interactions with our fellow humankind, Sarah Lifé, Deputy CEO at Medicon Village Innovation, writes in a column.

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.

Tau-targeted Alzheimer's drug gets Fast Track designation in the USA

Biogen's Alzheimer's candidate BIIB080 has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA’s Top Vaccine Official resigns – Issues sharp criticism of Kennedy

FDA’s Top Vaccine Official is leaving his post while simultaneously criticizing the country’s health secretary for allowing “misinformation and lies” to influence his views on vaccine safety.

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.

GSK acquires oncology research company

GSK acquires the American biotechnology company Idrx for up to 1.15 billion dollars.

The future of healthcare in focus: ”Together, things happen”

In march, it’s once again time for Fokus Patient, an event for the industry where the patients’ perspective takes center stage. It’s a great way to spread knowledge in Sweden and around the world, according to the initiator Penilla Gunther

FDA approves new cystic fibrosis therapy

A new treatment for cystic fibrosis has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Partial court victory for entrepreneur who lost his company

Swedish life science entrepreneur Mikael Kubista has won the first round against a law firm that he, along with other co-owners, sued for negligent advice in connection with losing his company, Tataa Biocenter.

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.

KI’s freezer fiasco investigated: A chain of failures

A chain of combined technical and organisational shortcomings caused the freezer breakdown at the Karolinska Institute during the Christmas holidays, destroying more than 47,000 samples. This was the conclusion of an internal investigation.

Nocebo – the evil twin that makes you feel worse

The placebo effect is well known in healthcare, but not so its opposite: nocebo. “The effect is small, but it can have major repercussions,” says Uppsala researcher Charlotte Blease, co-author of a book on the phenomenon.

”We need compatibility“

Penilla Gunther, founder of Fokus Patient and chair of the European Patient Safety Foundation, hopes that the forthcoming life science strategy will focus on efficient and secure management of patient data and equal access to medicines.

“Don’t postpone the transition to IVDR”

Operators who have not yet started to adapt to the requirements of the new EU IVDR regulation are running out of excuses. This is the opinion of Helena Dzojic, Head of Unit at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, who continues to persistently spread her message: don’t postpone the transition.

Failed to read the fine print – lost his life’s work

A celebrated CEO and co-founder of a pioneering lab company one moment – the next, fired, kicked out and written out of the company’s history. This is the story of a Swedish entrepreneur who was going to raise US venture capital to strengthen his company but lost his life’s work instead.

New diagnostic rules raise concerns

In a panel discussion, several voices from academia and the industry expressed concerns about the transition to the new regulatory framework for in-vitro diagnostics (IVDR). They argue that it may create significant differences between regions, and patients may be affected.

He will be the new chair of Medicon Valley Alliance

Niels Abel Bonde is the nomination committee’s proposal and the most likely person to take over as the new chairman of the Swedish-Danish life science cluster organisation Medicon Valley Alliance (MVA).

Meeting with focus on South Korea and Japan’s life sciences

Large, complex and exciting – this is how Britta Stenson, Business Sweden, describes the life science markets of Japan and South Korea, which took centre stage during a webcast seminar.

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.

A green nursery for biotech rooted in the Scanian soil

Red Glead has established itself as one of Lund’s largest companies in pharmaceutical development. Life Science Sweden went to Skåne and met two of the founders, Johan Evenäs and Martina Kvist Reimer.

Novavax is developing a vaccine candidate against Covid-19 and seasonal flu

A combined vaccine against both Covid-19 and seasonal flu is showing promising results in studies, according to the American drug developer Novavax. The adjuvant, which forms an essential part of the vaccine, originates from Sweden.

Marie Gårdmark: Potential step change – EU regulators get to play with data

A new pilot from EMA is starting in September to assess wether the analysis of 'raw data' by regulatory authorities improves the evaluation of marketing approval for new medicines. Marie Grådmark writes in a column that she is looking forward to the outcome of the pilot to hopefully then understand if “in house” analyses actually will add value.

A growing industry in Denmark: “One new life science company a week”

The life science sector in eastern Denmark continues to grow in the number of employees, as well as the number of companies. An emerging problem is the shortage of labour, a new report reveals.