Nordic Life Science 1
“I don’t want to take all these very good people
and the research groups out of this environment. I want to keep them here and try to get these companies as embedded as possible into the ecosystem.” Lars Ekman Jónas Einarsson together with former Prime Minister in Norway, Erna Solberg, at the opening of the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park in 2015. are investing in. “That is really important for me, because I don’t want to take all these very good people and the research groups out of this environment. I want to keep them here and try to get these companies as embedded as possible into the ecosystem. I want them to be a part of the ecosystem in Norway if possible,” he says. Investments, collaborations and talent In terms of the future of the life science industry in Norway, there are many positive signs, buoyed by a recent white paper by the Norwegian government on the healthcare industry, stating its objective, “To contribute to improved competitiveness in the Norwegian health industry, and at the same time contribute to a more sustainable health and care service, through more efficient prevention, treatment and care.” However, challenges still exist. “We are trying to develop new cancer medicines. It takes a very long time, it costs a lot of money, it takes a lot of investment,” explains Einarsson. “Talent is equally important. Norway offers a very good quality of life, but it is difficult to attract international scientists, entrepreneurs, and people working in big pharma. We need to get them 36 | NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG to see that something is happening here up at the North Pole, so that they are willing to both invest and collaborate,” he adds. Bigger and better things Radforsk has continuously played an active role in pushing collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the life sciences industry in Norway. An example of this collaborative spirit can be seen in the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park and Incubator, which opened in 2015 next to the Norwegian Radium Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research. When asked what successes he is most proud of, Jónas Einarsson explains why the Oslo Cancer Cluster is so important. “I started with that idea in 2006 and it became a reality in 2015. We have the cancer registry, we have some departments from the hospital and the incubator with a lot of our startup companies.” The ecosystem is thriving and there are plans for further expansion still. For Jónas Einarsson, an idea that once seemed impossible is now well on its way to bigger and better things. NLS BUSINESS // PROFILE PHOTO GUNNAR KOPPERUD/OSLO CANCER CLUSTER