CHRISTINE WERGELAND SØRBYE: While we were discussing how health data and AI can transform the healthcare industry in the Nordics, President Emmanuel Macron was at the AI Action Summit in Paris securing multi-billion-euro investments in France’s technological future. This is the competition we are up against. The time to act is now.
How can Norway and the Nordics take a leading position in life sciences? This was the key question at Norway Life Science 2025, where more than 800 participants discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) and health data can give us an international competitive advantage, how we can effectively develop the healthcare system of tomorrow, and what it will take to attract investment. We know what works—but we need to move faster.
Norway has all the prerequisites to develop a strong healthcare industry. We have world-class research environments, unique health data, and an outstanding healthcare system. However, we must take several critical steps to fully realize this potential. Access to health data must become much faster, enabling researchers and businesses to utilize it efficiently for innovation and development. At the same time, collaboration with industry must be strengthened—pharmaceutical companies and other key players need to be involved earlier in development processes to ensure that research results are translated into real-world solutions.
For this to succeed, we must also establish better framework conditions. Innovation requires regulatory frameworks that promote growth rather than hinder new ideas. Access to capital is another crucial factor. Today, Norway lags far behind Sweden in venture capital, and increasing access to risk capital is urgent if we are to attract and retain talent and entrepreneurs.
Other countries are making massive investments in life sciences. France has just committed €109 billion to future technologies—we are not competing in a vacuum. Norway must decide what role it wants to play. Will we become the country that was too wealthy to act, sitting on golden eggs without hatching them? Or will we be the country that dared to do what was necessary?
Strategic investments and Nordic collaboration can make the Nordics a leading life science hub in Europe. Individually, we are small, but together we are strong. In order to compete with the U.S. and China, we must build a Nordic ecosystem for innovation and growth. Remember, David has defeated Goliath before—and the Nordics have unique advantages in health data and AI if we use them wisely.
Two areas are particularly important: Collaboration on risk capital. The Nordic investment communities must work more closely together, and the Nordics must become an even more attractive region for international investors. Cross-border competence building. We need a Nordic competence base that makes it easier for companies to access experienced board members and the expertise they need across national borders.
The Nordic University Hospital Alliance (NUHA) is one of Europe’s most powerful hospital alliances, bringing together Oslo University Hospital and the university hospitals of Stockholm, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and Helsinki. This collaboration is already delivering results, and the opportunities ahead are substantial.
The agreement between Oslo Science City, Stockholm Science City, and Innovation District Copenhagen lays the foundation for closer ties between some of the strongest innovation environments in the Nordics, enhancing visibility and fostering deeper collaboration.
Norway needs a national life science strategy. To succeed, we need a clear direction and a long-term strategy for Norwegian life sciences. Such a strategy must define ambitions, specify tangible actions, and clarify roles and responsibilities. It must also position Norway in a Nordic context—we must collaborate with our neighbors and build on each other’s strengths. Lastly, it must be broadly anchored politically to ensure the long-term stability and predictability necessary to attract talent and capital.
In March, a delegation of more than 20 people from Oslo Science City will travel to New York and Boston to learn from world-leading environments and strengthen relationships with investors and partners. We know we are making this journey alongside several strong Nordic players—if not physically, then strategically.
In the Nordics, we have the people, the data, and the technology, and we are trust-based societies with a strong culture of collaboration. Now, we need the investments and the right regulatory conditions—and we need them now. The question is not whether we can take a leadership position—but whether we are willing to do what it takes. We must decide now, because the world will not wait.
Visit these pages:
- Oslo Science City >>
- Norway Life Science 2025 >>
- Nordic University Hospital Alliance (NUHA) >>
- Innovation District Copenhagen >>
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