The Mats Paulsson Foundations donate SEK 19 million to support academic research in Skåne

At a celebration held on 24 October, the recipients of the 2025 donations from Medicon Village’s owner, the Mats Paulsson Foundations for Research, Innovation and Societal Development, were announced. A total of SEK 19 million was awarded to life science projects in Skåne, ranging from advanced cancer therapies and e-health solutions to groundbreaking diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease. A new scientific distinction – the Göran Grosskopf Award for Scientific Excellence – was also established in honour of the Foundations’ former Chairman.

The celebrations commenced with an inspiring Science for Lunch session highlighting the achievements of a previous grant recipient from the Mats Paulsson Foundations. At the full-house luncheon, Senior Lecturer Johan Flygare from the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy at Lund University shared insights into how Lund Stem Cell Centre is driving advances in stem cell science – transforming research into treatments for cancer, blood disorders and neurological conditions, and helping to shape a healthier future for all.

The 2025 award ceremony

The Medicon Village auditorium was filled to capacity for the formal announcement of the 2025 donation recipients from the Mats Paulsson Foundations during the afternoon’s prestigious ceremony.

Eight recipients from the Faculties of Medicine and Engineering at Lund University, and from Malmö University, shared grants totalling SEK 19 million. This year’s research projects span the entire life science field – from novel cancer treatments and cell therapies to digital health and precision diagnostics. The research will contribute, among other outcomes, to faster and more cost-efficient cancer treatments, improved support in infertility care, and new methods for predicting the healing of tendon injuries. At the same time, a blood test is being developed which, in combination with cognitive assessments, could enable the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It has been very exciting to review this year’s applications. We are seeing a trend towards increasingly close collaboration between different faculties at Lund University, as well as with Malmö University. We are also noticing growing interest in research that may lead to innovations in medical diagnostics and treatment. Research into new forms of cancer therapy, stem cell treatment, and new approaches to overcoming the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance has been prominent in this year’s round of applications,” says Jan Nilsson, Professor at Lund University and member of the foundation’s Research and Innovation Council.

Guests also had the opportunity to hear lectures by prominent researchers such as Kristian Pietras, Cancer Researcher of the Year 2025 and Professor at the Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, and Sindra Petersson Årsköld, Associate Professor and Senior Advisor at the European Spallation Source (ESS).

Launch of the Göran Grosskopf Award for Scientific Excellence

At the ceremony, the Foundations also launched the Göran Grosskopf Award for Scientific Excellence – a new annual award established in honour of Göran Grosskopf, the Foundations’ long-serving Chairman, who has played a central role in advancing life science research at Lund University and in the development of the Medicon Village research park.

This year’s award was presented to the project Prospective validation of high-performing blood tests and novel cognitive tests in primary and secondary care for improving Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics. In this project, Professor Oskar Hansson and his team will conduct a world-leading study on how individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease can be identified at a very early stage and thereby receive preventative treatment.

Research for the benefit of people and society

Since their inception, the Mats Paulsson Foundations have donated more than SEK 258 million to academic research. Their mission is to promote new research and innovation that improve human life and health. As owners of the Medicon Village research park, the Foundations contribute to creating a dynamic environment where knowledge, enterprise and societal benefit converge. Capital returns, together with surplus from Medicon Village operations, are reinvested in research – a model that ensures long-term support for scientific development in Skåne.

“Medicon Village demonstrates how research, enterprise and society can be united in a shared commitment to advancement and public benefit. Our focus is on strengthening this environment and continuing to build a place where collaboration drives real change,” says Anders Sundström, Chair of the Mats Paulsson Foundations.

The 2025 donation recipients

The 2025 donation recipients from the Mats Paulsson Foundation for Research, Innovation, and Societal Development are:

• Professor, Senior Consultant Mats Jerkeman, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Professor Anna Blom, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Professor Johan Malmström, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Professor Filipe Pereira, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Senior Lecturer Eva Elmerstig, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University
• Professor Anna Falk, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Professor Oskar Hansson, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University
• Professor Hanna Isaksson, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University

Further information

For further information about the Mats Paulsson Foundations and the donations, please visit the Foundations’ website or read the press release (in Swedish). A compilation of the donation recipients, including project summaries, can be downloaded here (in Swedish).