Nordic Life Science

Global health & Local efforts: New hope in the neurodegenerative disease pipeline  - NLS Even though many have tried and few succeeded in the quest to find viable treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Even though many have tried and few succeeded in the quest to find viable treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, Nordic drug developers continue to take different approaches to crack the riddle.
nordiclifescience.org/global-healt...

No US market tariffs on pharmaceuticals – yet - NLS At a White House press event yesterday, Wednesday April 2, President Trump advanced the next stage of his economic plan by unveiling baseline tariffs of 10% on the vast majority of goods imported to t...

"In the long run, the EU’s life science industry will likely need to reduce its dependence on the U.S. to mitigate the impact of extraordinary events like these. We are being thrown into a chaotic situation reminiscent of the COVID pandemic,” states SwedenBIO
nordiclifescience.org/no-us-market...

A family tree for the cells of the nervous system and the inner ear - NLS Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method that shows how the nervous system and sensory organs are formed in an embryo.

“Our study shows how different cell types arise from stem cells in the embryo and how they are organized to create important structures in the brain,” stated Emma Andersson, docent at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, @ki.se

Global health & Local efforts: Strengthening the heart - NLS Cardiovascular diseases have a high mortality rate and although prevention is key, there are many companies, including Nordic ones.

“Each heart contraction is caused by an influx of calcium into the heart cell. Our agents work by increasing the sensitivity of the heart muscle to this calcium, so that the contraction becomes stronger.” – Patrik Strömberg #AnaCardioAB

AstraZeneca to acquire EsoBiotec - NLS EsoBiotec is a biotechnology company focusing on in vivo cell therapies that has demonstrated promising early clinical activity.

"EsoBiotec will accelerate and expand the impact of our recent investments and marks a major step forward in realizing our ambition to harness the full potential of cell therapy,” says Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology R&D, AstraZeneca.

Trends to follow in 2025 within the life science industry - NLS As always, JPM kicks off the year as the key event for life science executives to exchange insights and predict the direction of the industry.

Overall, 2025 is anticipated to be a year of significant progress, with three key themes standing out, writes Marjo Puumalainen, SwedenBIO.

She is the winner of the EASO-Novo Nordisk Foundation Obesity Prize for Excellence - NLS Professor Kirsi Pietiläinen receives the Novo Nordisk Foundation prize for her outstanding work in clinical metabolism.

“Obesity is the most fascinating lens through which to study life – it spans everything from the micro level of cellular metabolism to the macro level of behavior and society,” says Kirsi Pietiläinen. @helsinki.fi

✊ #StandUpForScience! 🧪

#ScienceIsPeople...
People in solidarity all over the world!

131 Nobel Prize laureates sign joint appeal against Russia - NLS The Nobel Prize laureates protest against Russia's war of invasion and the world's inaction, and they demand that EUR 300 billion in frozen Russian assets be given to Ukraine.

"The goal is to end the war, establish a just peace, and provide Ukraine with a future perspective for generations to come. We stand by this cause with our voices," writes the Nobel Prize laureates.

Cutting-edge clusters create competitiveness - NLS The future of Europe depends on the future of European life science competitiveness. So far, everyone seems to agree.

"To be able to compete globally, we must concentrate our efforts in Europe and build on existing strongholds and clusters of excellence," writes Niels Abel Bonde @mediconvalley.bsky.social

Abera announces promising results - NLS Abera Bioscience reports that its first in vivo study with a novel nasal influenza vaccine candidate has delivered promising results.

This in vivo study with a novel nasal influenza vaccine candidate is part of Abera Bioscience's collaboration with
CEPI.

Philanthropic partnership launches new initiative to tackle AMR - NLS The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, and Wellcome have announced the launch of the Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator.

“Bacterial AMR is such a significant global health issue that we must speed up innovation and try new ways of working together,” says Marianne Holm, Vice President, Infectious diseases, Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The 2025 Crafoord Prize laureates - NLS The Crafoord Prize in Polyarthritis 2025, worth SEK six million, is awarded to Christopher Goodnow, Australia, and David Nemazee, USA.

Christopher Goodnow @garvaninstitute.bsky.social and David Nemazee @scripps.edu discovered important mechanisms that prevent B cells from attacking the body’s own tissues in autoimmune disease. This could pave the way for new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

Breaking new ground: Real-World Evidence - NLS The team behind NordicRWE believe the possibilities of Real-World Evidence are obvious, but access to and sharing data.

The team behind NordicRWE believe the possibilities of Real-World Evidence are obvious, but access to and sharing data between the Nordic countries are hurdles that need to be overcome.

AstraZeneca plans USD 570 million investment in Canada - NLS The investment in Canada will create more than 700 high-skilled jobs, across all areas of the business.

The investment in Canada will create more than 700 high-skilled jobs, across all areas of the business. @astrazeneca.bsky.social

First Danish patients treated with gene therapy for haemophilia B - NLS CSL Behring Denmark has announced that the first Danish patients with haemophilia B were treated with the gene therapy HEMGENIX.

“This is what scientific progress in medicine is intended to achieve: improving the life of patients, in particular those with rare diseases, by providing innovative therapeutic options.” – Fredrik Sjöö Nordic Region CSL Behring #GeneTherapy

Breaking new ground: Biological databases - NLS The Human Protein Atlas, one of the world’s largest biological databases, gives us a more profound understanding of protein expression.

"This open-source approach enables researchers to utilize our data and publish their findings, enabling scientific progress,” says Cecilia Lindskog #TheHumanProteinAtlas

Gesynta Pharma raises SEK 304 million - NLS Gesynta Pharma has secured SEK 304 million in a Series B financing round led by Innovestor Life Science.

Hopeful! Preclinical data have shown a marked reduction of endometriotic lesions and pain following treatment with vipoglanstat. @gesyntapharma.bsky.social #endometriosis

SwedenBIO and Biocom Californa sign MOU - NLS SwedenBIO and Biocom have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to undertake cooperative activities they state.

"This MOU will strengthen formally that relationship, building a bridge between the innovative life science communities in Sweden and California,” says Joe Panetta, president emeritus of Biocom California.

Breaking new ground: Quantum computing - NLS According to Professor Matthias Christandl, the potential of quantum computing within life sciences is enormous.

According to Professor Matthias Christandl, Leader of the Quantum for Life Centre #CopenhagenUniversity, the potential of quantum computing within life sciences is enormous and in order to take the lead, investments in both quantum hardware and software is essential.

Reinventing Finland - NLS A strong collective will has emerged during these challenging times. The Finnish economy has had difficulties achieving robust growth.

Go Finland! "A strong collective will has emerged, uniting various stakeholders in a shared mission to build something remarkable," writes Alexandra Peth, Finnish Bioindustries.

Vicore Pharma is the winner of SwedenBIO Award - NLS Vicore Pharma is praised for being at the forefront of addressing unmet medical needs in rare diseases and for securing.

"I think what underlies our achievements is an incredible ecosystem in Sweden. We’re very excited now with the capital that we have obtained to advance our lead program into late stage clinical development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis," says Ahmed Mousa, CEO, Vicore Pharma.

AI and the 2024 Nobel Prizes: A Revolutionary Moment for Life Sciences - NLS The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics reflect the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on life sciences.

"Fifteen years ago, I predicted that AI would play a central role in healthcare, and today, that prediction is becoming reality. Across global projects, I’ve seen AI revolutionize how we diagnose, treat, and manage complex health conditions," writes Christian Guttmann in our latest issue.

Protein, protein, protein! - NLS When it comes to life science, one of the strengths of Norway and the Nordics is basic and translational immunology.

"We are very likely only at the beginning of a scientific era that will yield a range of new protein-based technologies and strategies that almost certainly will make a major difference to how we target and treat diseases in the future."
@uio.no

Nobel Prize laureate David Baker: "I've always been interested in big questions" - NLS David Baker, born in Seattle in 1962, is an American professor of biochemistry and computational biology at the University of Washington.

“I now plan to focus more on what matters the most to me, like collaborating closely with my students and postdocs and dedicating myself to the most meaningful and exciting research projects," says Nobel Prize laureate David Baker @uwischool.bsky.social Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

3 x Nobel Prize laureates at The Future of Health - NLS In this year’s Nobel Week Dialogue, Nobel Prize laureates and other experts will gather to discuss and envision our future.

Attending The Future of Health @nobelprize.bsky.social On stage: 3 Nobel Prize laureates, all interviewed by NLS 🤩

Exclusive interview: Victor Ambros - NLS Victor Ambros, Professor of Molecular Medicine and the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Chan.

"Share your findings, don’t be secretive. When you share in a community, ideas pop up. Brainstorming and collaborating are fuels for success and that makes science fun.” – Victor Ambros @umasspress.bsky.social

Let’s drive talent attraction and development jointly - NLS First, I would like to congratulate all the new Nobel Prize winners awarded by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in October.

How then do we continue to strengthen the research and innovation environment so that it fosters more Nobel Prize rewards in Medicon Valley? @mediconvalley.bsky.social

American IonQ opens operation in Gothenburg - NLS American IonQ has set up in Gothenburg, primarily through a new development center at AstraZeneca BioVentureHub.

IonQ has set up in Gothenburg, primarily through a new development center at AstraZeneca BioVentureHub. Learn more about quantum computing in the Denmark in our latest issue of the magazine (out now: nordiclifescience.org/subscribe/) and in Finland here: nordiclifescience.org/quantum-comp...

Unlocking Integrated Leadership - NLS In today’s rapidly shifting global landscape, it’s clear that the future of humanity hinges on how we invest in people.

In today’s rapidly shifting global landscape, it’s clear that the future of humanity hinges on how we invest in people, particularly leaders, right now. #UnlockingEve