Female lab technician analysing sample through microscope
Female lab technician analysing sample through microscope

Insight

New initiative will boost life sciences startups in Denmark

Insight

New initiative will boost life sciences startups in Denmark

A new centre will help develop and mature the best life sciences research projects with the aim of fostering useful solutions and products. This will be an important addition to the already strong life sciences environment in Denmark.

When

Life sciences research in Denmark has a high international level, however a number of research ideas and results are not implemented because of a lack of development facilities, experienced personnel and access to capital.
 
A new centre, the BioInnovation Institute (BII), aims to change this by helping the most talented researchers and entrepreneurs develop and mature research projects to a point at which they can attract capital on market terms. The new centre is an initiative by the independent Danish foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
 
"The purpose is to support innovative entrepreneurs and talented researchers in further developing research projects to achieve new solutions that can potentially combat disease, improve health or conserve natural resources to benefit people and society as a whole,” says Sten Scheibye, Chairman of the Board, Novo Nordisk Foundation.
 
The internationally focused BII is a long-term initiative of 10 years and the Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a grant of EUR 52 million to cover the 3-year establishment phase. It will be located in Copenhagen to create synergy with the existing research environments and laboratory facilities in the life sciences.

We hope that we can highlight Denmark as a strong powerhouse in northern Europe for maturing research and start-ups in the life sciences so that Danish and international investors will perceive the life sciences in Denmark as an attractive field for investment. This will enable the solutions developed to benefit everyone and to create new companies and jobs in the long term.

Sten Scheibye, Chariman of the Board

Novo Nordisk Foundation

About the BioInnovation Institute

Talented researchers and entrepreneurs from universities, hospitals, companies or other research and entrepreneurial environments can enter the BioInnovation Institute (BII) at all stages, depending on how far the particular research project is in the maturation process.

The four phases

  • During the discovery phase, BII will attract talented researchers and entrepreneurs from Denmark and abroad from research environments at universities and hospitals to collaborate on new pioneering ideas and inventions across disciplines.
  • The transition phase will primarily test promising projects in an acceleration process in which excellent research ideas are further developed and business plans are drafted.
  • The incubation phase covers projects for which a start-up company has been established. These projects have significant potential to be further developed.
  • The growth phase covers companies that have attracted funding from external investors. They can use BII’s facilities on market terms.

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How can we help you?

If you want to know more about doing business in Denmark or Denmark’s life sciences industry, please contact one of our dedicated life sciences advisors:

Copenhagen

  • Sarina Lohmann

    Title: Special Advisor – Maritime and transport – Analysis & Partnerships

    Area: Copenhagen

    Phone: +4533920423

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