Har Sverige råd att ignorera kvinnors hälsa? Tillväxt, innovation och hälsa, förbisedda miljarder

On Wednesday 24 June, we organise Life Science-dagen in a large tent at Hamnplan, in collaboration with AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Lund University, Novo Nordisk, Roche and SmiLe Venture Hub.

At 10.00-10.45, there will be a seminar in Swedish on ”Har Sverige råd att ignorera kvinnors hälsa? Tillväxt, innovation och hälsa, förbisedda miljarder”, hosted by SmiLe Venture Hub. Please note that the program and its speakers/panelists might be updated before it takes place – updated program in the official program for Almedalsveckan.

Seminar focus

Delayed diagnoses. Reduced quality of life. Lost working years. Missed business opportunities. Despite women making up half the population, significant disparities remain in research, innovation, diagnostics and healthcare. The consequences affect not only individuals, but also productivity, the labour market and the wider economy.

Internationally, there is growing recognition that women’s health is not only a healthcare issue but also a matter of innovation, competitiveness and economic development. At the same time, research shows that many conditions that disproportionately affect women remain underrepresented in research, diagnostics and innovation. International analyses also point to substantial socioeconomic gains if the health gap between women and men can be reduced.

Is the problem a lack of innovation – or a lack of ability to implement it? Who bears responsibility for translating research into patient benefit, economic growth, jobs and exports?

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on women’s health as the next major challenge in growth, innovation, implementation and public policy. Bringing together perspectives from patients, start-ups, the pharmaceutical industry, the regional innovation ecosystem and politics, the seminar will explore what is required to move from insight to action.

The seminar will take the form of a moderated discussion followed by a panel debate and, time permitting, questions from the audience.

Participants

• Julia Fäldt Wahengo, Global Public Affairs Director, Essity
• Ulrika Ringdahl, CEO, SmiLe Venture Hub
• Mats Wiking, Member of Parliament, Social Democratic Party
• Maria Holmqvist Tångefjord, Medical Director, AbbVie Scandinavia
• Anette Steenberg, CEO, Medicon Valley Alliance
• Ebba Fåhraeus, moderator, Member of the Swedish Government’s Life Science Advisory Council and Chair of the Board, SmiLe Venture Hub

Life Science-dagen aims to establish a high-profile, unified forum and meeting point dedicated to life science at Almedalsveckan, in line with our role as the largest life science park in Scandinavia.

During Almedalsveckan 2026 Medicon Village also organise Skånes Innovationsarena on Thursday 25 June.

For more information on Life Science-dagen, please contact mikael.lagerwall@mediconvillage.se.