Nordic Life Science 1
BUSINESS LIGHTHOUSE LIFE SCIENCE / COPENHAGEN LIF
E SCIENCE ADVERTORIAL Denmark’s “Lighthouses” Light the Way to Innovation AN ACTIVE TOOL FOR COLLABORATION A LL OVER DENMARK, public, private, and academic collaboration has led to the formation of eight different teams, “Lighthouses”. Each Lighthouse is allocated a local theme to tackle some of the country’s tough issues. In Copenhagen, Business Lighthouse Life Science has a goal to drive innovation that improves health, strengthens economic growth, and positions Denmark as a leader in the international life science arena – and makes Copenhagen a global health capital. The movement is a response to the strain on Denmark’s, and most others countries’, national healthcare system due to rising medical costs from an aging population and chronic diseases, particularly obesity and mental illnesses. Four out of five Danes will be treated for mental illness and one in five live with obesity. These public/private partnerships are charged with finding ways to improve Denmark’s healthcare system by enhancing citizens’ health, systemic healthcare efficiency, and the quality of care. They should also fuel the growth of Danish companies and lead to greater employment opportunities and exports. Fortunately, institutions in Denmark excel at working together. “Complex challenges often have so many aspects to them that we have to involve a range of people with very different backgrounds. This also brings together a lot of different skills and insights that we can all learn from, so that we see the potential, skill up those involved and make the partnership stronger and broader,” says Diana Arsovic, CEO of the Danish Life Science Cluster which facilitates the Business Lighthouse Life Science. The Danish government and a number of large companies have provided funding for the program. Applicants submit proposals for grants and so far, about 100 partnerships have been funded within the Lighthouse Life Science. An independent company evaluates every partnership and assesses the goals and the benefits. International interest The Lighthouse concept has generated huge international interest and been praised as an innovative health solution. Visitors from 35 countries and the World Health Organization have met with Danish officials to learn more about how the program has been created and funded. My Magic Tummy has been a game-changer for many families. Three out of four children reported feeling better or much better and 65% of parents reported their children changed for the better. “The great international interest in our model is a confirmation that we’re onto something. We now need to continue to create real value for companies and the healthcare system. With our new collaboration with the WHO we can strengthen our international collaboration so that Danish solutions can contribute to the healthcare sector nationally and globally,” says Karin Jexner Hamberg, Chief Medical Officer and SVP at Lundbeck and Chair of the main consortium in Business Lighthouse Life Science. Treating schizophrenia One of many successful partnerships involves HekaVR, a company that develops medical software to help people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who experience persistent auditory illusions. “It’s difficult to be a startup in the healthcare sector but with the help of Business Lighthouse Life Science we have received valuable support to take important steps in the right direction,” says Sara Leander-Pehrson, CEO of HekaVR. Finding a successful treatment would bring relief to both patients and the healthcare system. Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder in Denmark, affecting as many as 30,000 Danes, many