Strategic alliance in Skåne to boost innovation in Swedish life science

Medicon Village

Four leading players in research, education, healthcare, and innovation are joining forces in a strategic alliance to strengthen Swedish life science. The initiative is coordinated by Medicon Village and includes the Lund University School of Economics and Management, Skåne University Hospital, and AstraZeneca. The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of new innovations in healthcare, enhance interaction between industry and academia, and work together to create a sustainable innovation support system in Skåne.

To address future health challenges while strengthening the competitiveness of Swedish life science, deeper collaboration between industry, academia, and healthcare is essential. The alliance will initially focus on areas such as health economics, public health, innovation systems, intellectual property rights, and sustainability. New solutions in these fields are crucial to securing Sweden’s position as a leading life science nation.

A joint steering group, with Medicon Village as the facilitator, will lead the efforts and ensure effective coordination. Through this collaboration, AstraZeneca strengthens its commitment in Skåne and also becomes a member of Medicon Village.

"AstraZeneca has a long-standing commitment to and extensive experience in developing innovative medicines and treatments, and I am pleased that AstraZeneca wants to do this together with academia, university healthcare, and us at Medicon Village. Through this collaboration, we foster better conditions for turning research from Skåne into solutions that truly make a difference for patients and society as a whole," says Petter Hartman, CEO of Medicon Village Innovation.

"This alliance demonstrates how academia, business, and healthcare can work together to tackle complex societal challenges. The School of Economics and Management contributes a broad spectrum of expertise, from sustainability and entrepreneurship to business models, innovation systems, and health economics, which strengthens the partnership’s ability to create added value for society at large," says Joakim Gullstrand, Dean of the Lund University School of Economics and Management.

"We at Skåne University Hospital are pleased to be part of this initiative, which brings together medical research and clinical practice to promote patient welfare and drive the development of healthcare," says Björn Lövgren Ekmehag, Hospital Director at Skåne University Hospital.

"This partnership aligns with our vision of improving health and quality of life for people in Sweden and globally. Achieving this requires cross-sector collaboration, and Medicon Village serves as a natural hub for life science research and innovation, making it a place we want to be part of. By engaging in this dynamic ecosystem, we not only contribute to scientific progress but also help strengthen Sweden’s global competitiveness as a leading life science nation," says Emelie Antoni, Country President Nordics & Sweden, AstraZeneca.

Read the full press release (in Swedish).

 

Pictured from left to right: Petter Hartman, CEO, Medicon Village Innovation; Emelie Antoni, Country President Nordics & Sweden, AstraZeneca; Björn Lövgren Ekmehag, Hospital Director at Skåne University Hospital; Andreas Inghammar, Deputy Dean, Lund University School of Economics and Management. Photo: Kristian Waldeck, WalmedPhoto.