The Life Science Cluster in Norway was founded to bring the different stakeholders in Life Science together. By providing common ground for all, The Life Science Cluster successfully brings together some of the leaders in health, technology, marine, and agricultural sectors. All having some connection to Life Science.
Simply promoting the work of the members of the alliance is not enough for The Life Science Cluster. Providing an arena for collaboration is one of the most important tasks, as well as providing expertise in development work, legal and regulatory work, knowledge building and so on. By creating magic across disciplines, The Life Science Cluster can help create more value in export and more jobs in Norway.
“When stakeholders from two or more completely different fields find some common problems and start working on a shared solution, our vision is fulfilled. We have already seen this happen with great results. This is the type of activity we like to facilitate and support”, said Hanne Mette D. Kristensen, Vice President Business Development, Investor Relations and Collaboration.
Supporting SMEs
The Life Science Cluster’s goal is to help triple Norwegian exports from Life Sciences by 2030. The cluster is to support the process of making ideas into commercial products and services that are attractive on an international market.
As a result of that mission, the Life Science Academy for Startups has developed a Life Science Industry focused 360 tool for assessment of the industrial readiness of an SME. Based on the analysis, companies and people can receive training, workshops and matchmaking to support their needs.
Of great interest to SMEs, is that funding will be available to around 30 participants to strengthen their company through the project. The project supports Swedish, Danish and Norwegian SMEs within all sectors of Life Science, such as pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, health tech, digital and bioindustrial segments.
Growth, jobs and export value
The development at the Life Science Academy for Startups is only one of many ongoing projects that The Life Science Cluster facilitates.
“What we are focusing on now is to bring research and business together. Norway has a great potential when it comes to commercialising great ideas, but there is a need to strengthen the transition from research results to actual needs. This is where we come in”, commented Kristensen.
The Life Science Cluster have gathered expertise in taking innovations to market and in avoiding the startup valley of death. Further, creating tools to ensure that manufacturing activities stay in Norway is something that the cluster will focus on. Finally, supporting Norwegian export is at the core of The Life Science Cluster’s activities since its initiation.
All activities are connected to creating growth in Norwegian companies, which in turn creates more jobs and higher export value.
