Beginning in January this year, SwedenBIO’s Nordic Community Manager, Sigrun Elfa Snæbjörnsdóttir, packed her bags and set out on a mission to connect with key stakeholders in the life science sector across all Nordic countries. Here’s what she had to say about the impact of the tour.
Which places did you visit and whom did you meet?
– We visited all four of our Nordic neighbours. We were in Copenhagen for BII Demo Day, Reykjavík for Iceland Innovation Week, Helsinki for a Finnish Biotech and Investor meeting, and the Norwegian Investor Partnering Day in Oslo. At each stop, we met with partners across the life science ecosystem – from startups and investors to incubators and national stakeholders.
What are your impressions from the entire tour?
– There is a lot happening in the Nordic life science ecosystem! And there are great opportunities for the five Nordic countries to collaborate more. My takeaway is that we are stronger together. Each country has its own unique strengths, and we are all small countries that pack a punch, with impressive pipelines and top-tier research. By collaborating more, we increase our global competitiveness and amplify our impact.
Is there an appetite for Nordic cooperation in life science?
– Yes, there definitely is. It has been great meeting with all our Nordic partners and establishing new relationships for an ongoing strengthening of Nordic collaboration. I believe that Nordic collaboration is gaining momentum, and we already have worked on various projects together with our Nordic partners this year, with more in the works.
– At JPM in January, we took part in a Nordic reception together with our Norwegian partners, a great opportunity to connect with international stakeholders and represent the region. In May, we brought the first-ever Nordic delegation to Swiss Biotech Day, which was very well received. The participating companies were pleased with the exposure and traction we gained – it was clear that interest in the Nordics is growing. Another standout was the Nordic Breakfast we co-hosted at BIO International in Boston. It was a success, attracting strong engagement from both Nordic and U.S. participants. These kinds of initiatives show the value of presenting a united front- and we’re eager to do more of this going forward.
Anything that stood out or was unexpected?
– One thing that stood out was how aligned we are in vision and ambition across the Nordics. While our countries differ in size and structure, we share a common commitment to advancing life science through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. It was also nice to see how open and welcoming each ecosystem was – there’s a sense of shared purpose and ambition.
What are the plans ahead for increased cooperation?
– We want to do more of joint initiatives under the Nordic flag, and the collaboration between the partners is always growing stronger. We are committed to continuing building the relationships with our fellow Nordics, and this Nordic tour was just the beginning. Next, we are looking forward to Nordic Life Science Days – where we will, together with representation from all 5 Nordic countries, highlight the strength of the Nordic ecosystem on the global stage.
– Together in the five Nordic countries, there are 27 million people. We can be incredibly proud that even though the Nordic market is small compared to the global market, we punch above our weight in terms of innovation, clinical trials, and exported health solutions. Therefore, we must continue to grow and nurture our collaboration and fully establish ourselves as a leading global life science hub.
