Nordic Life Science 1
64 Q&A Susanna Francke Rodau CEO, SEGULAH MEDICAL
ACCELERATION – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Susanna Francke Rodau and her colleagues at Segulah Medical Acceleration (SMA) have a specific focus on medical devices, diagnostics, life science tools, and health tech, and they prefer to invest in European companies that are in the beginning of their commercialization journey. W HAT DO YOU predict will be the dominant market trend within life sciences this year? “From a content perspective, we continue to see many interesting innovations related to the increase in healthcare data, such as quantum computing and sensing as well as other AI-driven improvements to drive clinical implementation. Additionally, we see growing interest in technologies that support value-based care – solutions that not only improve patient results but also drive cost-efficiency, which is increasingly critical as healthcare systems face mounting pressure on resources.” How would you describe the current venture funding landscape in the Nordics? “There’s a well-known funding gap in the Nordics for health companies transitioning from proof-of-concept to early commercialization, due to the complexity of the area. Many promising ventures are rich in science but underserved in terms of commercial experience, access to industry networks and capital. This is where specialized investors can make a real difference, not just by investing funds but by providing strategic guidance and opening doors.” From your perspective, how has the life science sector developed since the COVID-19 pandemic? “The pandemic underscored the value of collaboration across the innovation ecosystem – scientists, governments, investors, and industry working in tanINVESTMENT OUTLOOK // Q&A PHOTO KARL GABOR