Gothenburg – a leader in drug development

Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden, has a long tradition of breakthroughs in medicine, including pharmaceuticals.

Important research carried out by many prominent researchers in Gothenburg has led to a large number of blockbusters developed by the local pharmaceutical industry. At the forefront is Professor Arvid Carlsson, who won a Nobel Prize in 2000 for his work regarding the dopamine system. He has also guided the industry in developing new products that interfere with important biological systems.

AstraZeneca (AZ) is by far the largest industrial site in the region. Here, 2,500 people work within R&D. AZ has its corporate R&D headquarters for cardiovascular/metabolic diseases and gastrointestinal disease here too. And since the recent reconstruction within the company, it is also the site for respiratory and inflammatory disease research. A number of blockbusters have been developed here including Metoprolol (Seloken/Toprol), the first beta-1- selective beta-blocker, and the calcium antagonist felodipine. Other famous names include Losec/ Prilosec for the treatment of gastric ulcers, which for many years was the most-sold product in the world, along with the follow-up product Nexium. The development of all these products was the result of a close collaboration between the Sahlgrenska Academy and the Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Other prominent researchers include Björn Folkow, Professor Emeritus, an authority on integrative physiology, and Professor Per Björntorp, who defined the importance of the metabolic syndrome. Today a national centre for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CVM) has been established at the Sahlgrenska Academy. Here, internationally recognised researchers such as Jan Borén, Martin Bergö, Lena Carlsson, Suzanne Dickson, Sven Enerbäck, John-Olov Jansson and Anders Lindahl carry out their work. The centre is very open to industrial collaborations: surrounded by Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the biggest university hospital in northern Europe, it is the perfect hub for clinical research. The Gothia Forum, a newly established centre, that coordinates all clinical trials at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, is the natural partner for clinical trials.

Professor Arvid Carlsson established Carlsson Research to develop dopamine stabilisers for the treatment of CNS-related diseases. This company was later bought by the Danish company Neurosearch, but its R&D still takes place in Gothenburg. When Neurosearch bought the company Professor Carlsson again started his own company, also working with dopamine stabilisers for CNS-related diseases. Its first compound has now entered phase 1.

Other companies of interest include Albireo – a spinout from AstraZeneca. It took over from AstraZeneca a portfolio of compounds related to lower tract gastrointestinal diseases – mainly of anti-inflammatory kinds. Two other emerging companies are Pharmnovo and Pharmasurgics.

Stem cells are a well-developed arena in the region, with a special focus on more applied research. Cellartis, a leading European company on stem cell research, focuses on using stem cells as screening systems for new drug candidates as well as toxicology. It has collaborative agreements with several of the big pharma companies. Recently, it has restarted its work to develop stem cells as a therapeutic tool for diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and CNS diseases.

What the Gothenburg region can offer is a very good climate for drug development. It goes all the way from target identification and pre-clinical development to clinical development. It offers a very open-minded and creative environment for collaboration between basic research, clinical development and the industry. And it rests on a tradition of developing drugs with great international impact.

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Business Region Goteborg

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