Life Science

Through US-Swedish collaboration on health and life sciences, important research results are achieved and translated into practice faster, improving the healthcare journey for patients and saving lives.

Radiumhemmet was the first oncology clinic in Sweden. It was founded in an apartment on Stockholm's Kungsholmen island in 1910. Since the late thirties it has been a part of Karolinska University Hospital.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se

Vision eHealth 2025 is a national goal set by Sweden to be the leader in using digitization and e-health opportunities by the year 2025.
​​​​​​​Photo: Naina Helén Jåma/imagebank.sweden.se

The Swedish biotech industry is a dynamic and innovative sector characterized by robust collaboration between academia, small and large enterprises, and the public sector, as well as by sustained government investment in R&D. Close collaboration among stakeholders nurtures a business-friendly atmosphere, promoting growth for national and international participants. The academic landscape is pivotal in facilitating the transfer of research findings to commercial applications. Notably, 56% of all Swedish biotech companies originated from academic research, and a substantial majority (78%) are classified as micro-sized entities (fewer than 10 employees).

In biotechnology, increased integration of advanced technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, has become crucial. Biotech companies in Sweden have successfully integrated AI to accelerate drug development and enhance diagnostic methods. On the quantum front, researchers and companies explore the possibilities of using quantum computing to solve complex problems in biotech and medical research. These trends, with a focus on optimizing precision medicine, as embodied by initiatives such as the Centre for Quantum Life Science at the Karolinska Institute, are expected to shape the future of the life-sciences sector in Sweden and impact global markets.

Sweden possesses an extensive health database, providing a robust foundation for research and development in biotechnology. Sweden has more than 450 biobanks with over 150 million samples and a large number of partner regions and universities that contribute millions of new samples each year. This rich data environment enables innovative studies, paving the way for personalized treatments and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP). Sweden’s capacity in clinical studies and its unique expertise in ATMP strengthen its position as a leading player in biotechnology and an attractive international partner for research trials. The newly established Swedish innovation cluster CCRM Nordic focuses on supporting ATMP companies to translate their research into new treatments for patients through collaboration with large corporations such as AstraZeneca and Getinge.