I hope the citizens of Stockholm will be just as proud as I am, having a successful life science cluster in the midst of the city.
This fall, I have had the privilege of working with the development of Stockholm Life in Hagastaden for four years.. Lots of things have happened during these years, and we start to notice that also people outside the life science sector pay attention to the new city district and what is happening.
The first new real estate in Hagastaden is NCC:s building at Torsplan is soon finished and 80% of the space has already been rented. Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna has been through major changes, and the new beautiful auditorium with its spectacular architecture, blend in well with the surrounding, older dwellings. Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) – where Stockholm university, Karolinska Institutet, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Uppsala university gathers top notch researchers – now has a new organisation, leading the effort to create a national resource for research and development. The node in Stockholm is since the inauguration placed within KI Science Park, and in July SciLifeLab will expand into the second oval building at Solnavägen - the Gamma building. SciLifeLab has expanded from about 60 employees in 2010 to 600 this year. The construction of New Karolinska University Hospital Solna is currently undergoing an intense phase and now also the interior starts to take shape.
Hagastaden will be characterised by research and development. A number of streets in Hagastaden have names of female pioneers within education, science, research and healthcare. Public art in the area will emanate from the theme “building blocks of life”.
There is a great interest for Hagastaden among small spin-outs as well as the global companies. Here we find key opinion leaders – clinicians as well as academics, the service of the inner city and the green lung Hagastaden. All within walking distance.