Life science

Sweden’s Skåne region is home to groundbreaking research, a vibrant ecosystem with a vast talent pool, and world class universities and research infrastructure. It is also part of Medicon Valley – the leading life science cluster in the Nordics made up of Eastern Denmark and the southernmost part of Sweden.

Some of Skåne's strongholds in life science

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Medtech

Biotech

Pharma

Healthtech

Why Skåne is ideal for life science

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Strong collaborative ecosystem

Medicon Valley, including Skåne, is a diverse melting pot of highly-skilled talent that thrive on open collaboration and knowledge-sharing between public sector, academia, industry and civil society. Researchers based here have access to a generous life science ecosystem that includes innovative companies, leading universities, hospitals, clinical research institutions, science parks, incubator and accelerators - all with a life science focus.

World-class life science research

Skåne is internationally renowned for its life science research across multiple areas; most notably diabetes, inflammation, neuroscience, oncology and biomarkers/diagnostics. The life science community here also actively collaborates with international partners, facilitating cross-border research projects and access to global expertise. Within Medicon Valley, there are 15,000 life science researchers and 35,000 life science students (2022).

Partnership opportunities

Currently , there are over 100 biotech and medtech projects in Skåne, almost all with opportunities for partnerships, licensing, or both. These ongoing projects focus on areas from cardiovascular medicine, diabetes, haematology, infectious diseases and inflammation to metabolism, neuroscience, oncology, regenerative medicine. There’s also a fast growing number of healthtech firms at the forefront of developing and integrating mobile and digital tech within the sector.

Access to leading research universities & hospitals

Advanced research facilities

Skåne hosts two of the world's most advanced research infrastructures offering state-of-the-art instruments and imaging techniques for materials and life science. Max IV Laboratory is an X-ray light source that research-intensive companies are already using to improve their R&D outcome (eg. Novo Nordisk, Tetra Pak). European Spallation Source (ESS), a neutron imaging facility, opens in 2026.

Access to unique biobanks in Sweden & Denmark

Medicon Valley researchers have access to regional and national biobanks organised at different levels nationally, regionally, and locally at hospitals, but interconnected through the unique civil registration system in both countries. This allows linking biological samples with the data registries in research projects upon approval by ethical committees. Data registries contain extensive healthcare data and socioeconomic information.

Skåne's resources within life science

Skåne is part of Medicon Valley – the renowned life science cluster at the centre of Nordic life science innovation. The cluster is home to a vibrant ecosystem which includes a vast talent pool and world-leading academic institutions and research infrastructure.

Visit mediconvalley.com

Lund University Innovation hub: Lund University (LU) is a public research university in Sweden and one of the oldest in northern Europe. LU Innovation is a hub for innovation and commercialisation and the Tech Transfer Office at the university.
Visit LU Innovation

Innovation Skåne: Region Skåne’s innovation company which, together with private and public actors, guide and develop new opportunities for innovation and growth that improve Skåne, and the world.
Visit Innovation Skåne

MAX IV is a synchrotron light source and offers the world’s strongest X-rays, and is available to scientists from both academia and industry. The facility welcomes researchers from a vast range of industry sectors, including life science, biotech, medicine, and food, to name a few.
Visit MAX IV

Set to open in 2026-2027, the European Spallation Source in Lund will be the world’s most powerful neutron source. It’s expected to facilitate multi-disciplinary research, and will open to researchers from both academia and industry.
Visit ESS

Medicon Village Science Park: A life science research park and a venue for research, innovation and business development in the field. It is located in Lund, close to Lund University and Skåne University Hospital.
Visit Medicon Village

Ideon Science Park: 35+ years of experience supporting growing companies. It is home to over 400 companies focusing on healthtech, future transportations, smart cities and smart materials.
Visit Ideon

Medeon Science Park & Incubator: This is a science park for companies within life science. It offers networks, office space and support in business development.
Visit Medeon

SmiLE: This is a non-profit business incubator located at Medicon Village in Lund which specialises in life science.
Visit SmiLE

Medeon Science Park & Incubator: The science park offers networks, office space and support in business development.
Visit Medeon

Lund University consistently ranks among the top universities in the world and is considered to be one of the biggest Nordic educational and research institutions. It is home to LU Innovation, a hub for innovation and commercialisation, and the Tech Transfer Office.
Visit Lund University