As one of the strongest life sciences clusters in the world, Denmark is a respected international health laboratory. This is due to a vibrant ecosystem and deep talent pool underpinned by excellent life science universities, high quality research infrastructure and a cutting edge R&D environment. 

The core of the Danish life science sector is the internationally recognized life science cluster Medicon Valley, which spans the Öresund region, including eastern Zealand. Here, approximately 75 pct. of the Danish life sciences industry is located.

A new report shows that the Danish part of the Medicon Valley is becoming increasingly important to the broader economic development of Denmark, as it continues to grow. The report also highlights that new record breaking investments are already planned in order to promote continued growth in the industry.

The report maps an impressive 700 life science companies in eastern Denmark, with around 200 having been founded over the last five years. Combined, these companies employ around 58.000 people – an increase of about 22 pct. since 2017. This rapidly growing ecosystem is mainly centered on either medtech or the pharmaceutical sector. However, the largest percentage increase in employees have been within companies developing digital health solutions.

The majority of new companies have mainly been within biotech, which might be due to the size of the pharmaceutical sector in Denmark, spearheaded by the largest Danish pharma company, Novo Nordisk.

It is apparently, that both within the biotech sector, but indeed also within digital health solutions, that many new opportunities are arising for new companies, who wants to start up in Denmark. 

The rapid growth since 2017 is not set to stop any time soon. The life science companies in eastern Denmark are planning record investments in manufacturing sites, research facilities and headquarters. According to the report, investments for more than DKK 32 bn. is about to be made in the coming years, which is expected to create more than 3.500 new life science jobs in Denmark.

And the report was published before the news of FUJUFILM Corporation’s plans to invest DKK 11.64 bn. to enhance and expand its global offering of cell culture manufacturing services, which will enhance FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ sites in Hillerød, Denmark, and Texas in the United States. Read more about that here.

A continued political focus on improving the framework conditions for the life sciences industry is one of the keys to Denmark’s strong position within the life sciences area. The Danish government is continuing to take active steps to boost the life sciences industry by further developing the strong national healthcare system and world-class environment for business and science.

One such step is the new national life science strategy, published in 2021, with many new initiatives for the sector and financial means to get them executed. Read more about that here.

Read the full report here