A circular ecosystem for growth in life science

BioVentureHub was launched in 2014 as an investment by AstraZeneca to give small and medium-sized companies in life science the best conditions to develop and grow in collaboration. When GoCo Health Innovation City now grows up in close proximity, a circular ecosystem is formed for the industry, says Magnus Björsne and continues.

- The idea of BioVentureHub is based on bringing companies together to create a scientific synergy. Over the years, we have built up a collaborative culture, which I believe is a big part of the success. The hub is based on openness and the sharing of knowledge, which we see that GoCo will be able to scale up and carry forward. It will be a natural step for companies in the hub to move to GoCo when they have grown too large. In this way, we can then bring new innovators and create a circular ecosystem for growth.

In January 2020, the former minister of economic affairs, took the first sod for the billion investment GoCo Health Innovation City and just over two and a half years later, construction phase one is close to completion and phase two recently just begun. When everything is ready, the area is expected to cover an area of 200,000 square meters with approximately 8,000 employees, 350 companies and 500 homes.

- Collaboration has been our keyword from the start and is also a foundation for driving innovation, I believe. Together with AstraZeneca and BioVentureHub, we are now creating fantastic opportunities to both contribute to the long-term strengthening of Sweden's position in life science and in the end be able to provide patients with concrete solutions to the health challenges of the future, says Marie Uddenmyr, Director Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

As several companies, that started their journey at BioVentureHub, have announced that they are moving their operations to GoCo House after the turn of the year, the bio-hub is now given an opportunity to make room for new companies.

- Now we can see the vision taking shape for real. The bio-hub makes room for new ideas and operations while the former companies remain in the ecosystem as a whole. It is exciting when community builders and the life science industry join hands to create the best conditions for tomorrow's innovations. That different industries come together to create something bigger and that diversity and collaboration drive innovation is something we have already demonstrated in the hub, concludes Magnus Björsne.