Scandinavia’s biomedical heart

Gothenburg is home to one of Europe’s fastest growing biomedical sectors. Through GöteborgBIO, a collaboration of industry, academia and its hospital system, the region will continue to play a significant part in this field.

Pharmaceutical research at the Sahlgrenska Science Park is performed in close collaboration with Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Gothenburg is one of Europe’s leading regions for biomedical development. GöteborgBIO, a joint project between national and regional players in the biomedical industry, was launched in 2005 with the aim of creating a solid base for long-term growth within Europe, by cultivating academic research and commercial innovations and adaptations within the healthcare system. It plans to double the number of people employed in biomedicine by 2015.

GöteborgBIO’s principal partners are AstraZeneca, Business Region Göteborg, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg, Innovationsbron Väst, Mölnlycke Health Care, Nobel Biocare and Region Västra Götaland. Financial and operational support is also obtained by Vinnova, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems. GöteborgBIO has four areas of focus:

• reinforcing the commercial turnover as a result of R&D within two areas of strength: biomaterial and cell therapy, and cardiovascular and metabolic science
• educating and training future leaders in advanced business development within the biomedical field
• developing and reinforcing the infrastructure for the commercial development of projects within biomedicine
• attracting expertise and capital to the biomedical field within the region.

Cardiovascular and metabolic science
Gothenburg's expertise covers all areas of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes types 1 and 2, obesity and heart function. Investigators are engaged in coordinated research, ranging from clinical studies to applied mathematics, bioinformatics, molecular biology and mouse genetics. All the necessary expertise is in place, along with the latest technologies, international networks, industry connections and transdisciplinary research strategies.

With its partners, GöteborgBIO has a strong track record within cardiovascular and metabolic science. AstraZeneca leads cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases research from Gothenburg, employing over 2,700 people there. The corporate cluster also includes Albireo Pharma, Neurosearch, Cellectricon, Midorion, Nanoxis and TATAA Biocenter.

Gothenburg is also home to the Sahlgrenska Center for Cardiovascular and ■ Metabolic Research. It has 85 researchers and 12 research groups in a unique multidisciplinary effort.

Innovation and enterprise
Gothenburg has an elaborate system that encourages entrepreneurial talent, through vehicles such as Sahlgrenska Science Park, Göteborg International Bioscience Business School (GIBBS), Institute for Biomaterials and Cell Therapy, Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship and Chalmers Innovation, to facilitate commercialisation.

Formed in 2005, the Sahlgrenska Center for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research brings together basic and clinical scientists from the Sahlgrenska Academy, including the Lundberg Laboratory for Diabetes Research, the Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research and the Swedish Obese Subjects Study. The objective of the Sahlgrenska Center is to define the underlying mechanisms of the metabolic syndrome and to develop strategies to prevent and treat lifethreatening complications. Its strengths include:

• a solid platform of scientific excellence
• a translational approach and multidisciplinary effort
• available sources that include unique, well-defined patient populations and biobanks
• the close proximity of all research groups, which are also in the middle of large hospital facilities
• an emphasis on industry collaborations.

GIBBS is a collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg. It trains and coaches bioentrepreneurs by offering an interdisciplinary masters level programme in bioscience business creation, and provides handson experience of business development through real-life innovation projects.

This action-based programme integrates practical experience and theoretical expertise in bioscience entrepreneurship and innovation management with an in-depth understanding of product development processes in the bioscience industry. The school’s international faculty, as well as its close connection with experienced entrepreneurs and the bioscience innovation system, provides a valuable network of support for its students.