Nordic Life Science 1
ILLUSTRATION OF THE PCI PRINCIPLE: LEFT IMAGE: DR
UG (ORANGE) TRAPPED IN ENDOSOMAL CAPSULES WITHIN CELLS RIGHT IMAGE: DRUG RELEASED INTO THE CELL CYTOSOL AFTER PCI TREATMENT oil and gas extraction. The small biotech industry base can make it difficult to fill key positions. are good for indus“Finding an experienced chief medical officer in Norway is difficult,” Walday said. While interest nationally in the biotechnology field continues to grow, recruiting specialty investors to invest in Norwegian biotech, can also be difficult, he added. SUPPORT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Support from the Oslo Cancer Cluster has made a difference for PCI Biotech and other cancer focused biotech companies getting off the ground, according to Walday. Among the cluster’s initiatives are bringing small companies together for forums and networking and building an innovation park. Educating the public and government officials about the importance of the biotechnology industry is another initiative that is showing results. “Since I’ve been in the biotech startup area, over the past 10 years, things have changed dramatically,” Walday said. “They [people at the cluster and the pharmaceutical industry association] are influencing politicians; it is important for politicians to understand that there is very good research going on, and a lot of that can become technology that can be commercialized.The cluster has contributed well in making sure politicians understand that. The atmosphere has changed with improved interaction between healthcare providers, researchers and the industry.” try growth. “I think it [the industry outlook] is very positive,” said Walday. “The people in the Nordic countries are very well-educated, there is a highly-organized healthcare system with well-developed health registries and a lot of industry organized around life sciences. Denmark and Sweden have more of a history in biotechnology, but now Norway is getting more interested in the potential of this industry. Biotech companies need highly-competent and highly-educated people. There is a good supply here compared to many other countries and a growing need for this type of work.” AN OPEN ENVIRONMENT The advice Walday would pass on to biotech entrepreneurs is to have patience and persistence. 94 “There will be a lot of ups and downs in what you are doing, so you have to have stamina. Make sure you have the right people; and not only the right people, but also the right competences. You need people who thrive with challenging work and want to make it happen. People who want it to succeed. Also ensure that you have team members who function well together, that you have an environment that is open and where you can share everything.” NLS PHOTO PÅL K SELBO