Life Science Growth House is open

Tailored counseling, funding assistance, and innovation hangouts are part of the innovation package offered by the new Life Science Growth House at the University of Oslo.

“The Life Science Growth House is about utilizing the research. We are good at research, but we can become even better at transferring that knowledge to innovation and making use of it in society,” said Svein Stølen, Rector of the University of Oslo (UiO), when the Life Science Growth House was officially opened 17 Febryary 2022, according to an article in Titan.uio.no.

The new Growth House is going to have an open door with low-threshold services for researchers and students. They will have tailored counseling, including e.g. an assessment of the maturity and relevance of an idea, possible seed funding or external funding, possible collaborations with others in the UiOs innovation ecosystem, including mentoring and business partnerships, and ultimately possible meeting places, seminars, and competence courses.

Just another collaboration platform?

Ketil Widerberg, General Manager of Oslo Cancer Cluster, welcomed the Life Science Growth House into the innovation ecosystem around UiO with these words from the stage at the opening event:

“Do we really need more initiatives for collaboration between academia and industry? The simple answer is yes.”

He stressed the importance of start-up companies as a natural sequel to good academic ideas.

“Too often ideas are hidden and forgotten in academia. Companies are only invited to “whitewash” and secure money from the Norwegian Research Council for research that is already planned in detail. Good ideas are out-licensed early on to secure next year’s budget instead of invested in Norwegian start-ups. Academics have to fight the system daily to be able to contribute to development,” he continued in his speech.

Ketil Widerberg speaking at the opening. Photo: UiO/Fartein Rudjord

Ketil Widerberg speaking at the opening. Photo: UiO/Fartein Rudjord

 

Innovation hangouts

The Life Science Growth House will arrange innovation hangouts four times per year. This is an informal meeting place where students and researchers from the university may interact with actors from the public sector, hospitals, companies, mentors, business clusters, and incubators in their innovation ecosystem – like Oslo Cancer Cluster and our incubator! The hangouts include inspirational talks, matchmaking, food and beverage, and mingling.

The first innovation hangout is with Oslo Cancer Cluster. It will take place in the afternoon of 21 April. Save the date! 

Read more about the first innovation hangout.

Read more

Image of Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park

Meet the new members from 2021

Last year, we had the pleasure of welcoming 14 new members to Oslo Cancer Cluster.

In this brief overview, we are proud to introduce the new ensemble of cutting-edge cancer and science-related businesses – and a university.

 

Bio-Me AS has created a platform for precision microbiome profiling, which takes the vast knowledge of the microbiome to something that can be used in a clinical setting.

Daiichi-Sankyo is a global pharmaceutical company originating from Japan and with European headquarters in Germany. Daiichi-Sankyo has recently also set up a Nordic headquarter in Copenhagen with more than 20 employees.

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) is working on an exciting initiative to bring artificial intelligence (AI) and product design services together with healthcare and nursing, so that new projects can be launched in the research world.

You can read more about our members Bio-Me AS, Daiichi-Sankyo and OsloMet in this news article from June 2021.

 

Alv B is developing new immune therapy for solid cancers in cats and dogs. The new therapy will be available both as a supplement to standard treatments as well as a replacement for chemotherapy with strong side effects.

Comunin is a Norwegian start-up that provides a digital platform for smart patient monitoring and support.

Canica is a large, privately-owned investment company operating out of Norway and Switzerland, with core expertise within the fields of business development, retail, brand development and finance. It is focused on creating long-term value and employment.

Do More Diagnostics is a Norwegian start-up on a mission to transform cancer diagnostics with artificial intelligence. The goal is to improve patient care and make drug development more effective by utilizing artificial intelligence to increase the prognostic value of cancer tissue biopsies.

Glycanostics is a start-up company established in 2017 to bring its cancer diagnostics products to the EU and US markets. The company aims for early and more accurate cancer detection to prevent unnecessary biopsies and increase patient survival rate, and their product portfolio includes prostate and breast cancer non-invasive diagnostic kits and technology for glycan biomarker detection.

Hemispherian is an innovative preclinical pharmaceutical company focused on developing a novel class of small molecule drugs. These drugs target the TET2 enzyme as an epigenetic therapy for particularly aggressive cancers.

NordicRWE is a Norwegian Real-world Evidence (RWE) start-up company that has the ambition to be at the forefront of the data-driven drug development process. By tapping into the Nordic health data with its long follow-ups, incomparable completeness, and extensive linking possibilities, NordicRWE is uniquely positioned to be a key player in the forthcoming evolution of the RWE supported drug R&D.

You can read more about NordicRWE in this news article from September.

 

Norimun is a start-up and part of the OCC Incubator Accelerator programme. The company develops antibodies from the eggs of immunized hens. These IgY antibodies are currently used for passive immunization in aquaculture and livestock, as an alternative and supplement to the body’s own immune system.

Oncosyne is a start-up and part of the OCC Incubator Accelerator programme. The company will develop tests for the patient’s cancer cells and provide information about which treatments the patient will benefit from and which will not be of benefit.

OÜ Antegenes is an Estonian medical technology company founded in 2018. As a registered healthcare service provider of medical genetics, oncology and laboratory services in Estonia, the company uses high-tech polygenic risk score technology to assess a person’s genetic risk of developing cancer.

Randstad Care is dedicated to elevating the quality of talent available to meet the changing resource demands across life sciences organizations. Randstad’s recruiters combine their scientific, pharma and outsourcing expertise with an understanding of individual business needs to deliver the right talent, right away.

You can read more about our members by visiting the Membership Overview and learn about our upcoming events in the Event Calendar

The number 2021 in sparkling light held by four persons we can hardly see

Our highlights from 2021

What happened in and with our cluster in 2021? Here is a “pick and mix” of our many news from this year.

As the year is coming to an end, we would like to round it up with highlights from our news section. Like 2020, this year was influenced by the pandemic and the restrictions it put on our activities and meeting places – but this year, we were used to the new normal. As a result, we started the year with our main event, Cancer Crosslinks, as a completely digital experience.

Cancer Crosslinks 2021

On 21 January 2021, the Norwegian Cancer Crosslinks presented its 13th edition, focusing on Driving the translation of Scientific Insights Into Clinical Practice: From “Nice to Know” to “Need to Implement”. For more information about Cancer Crosslinks, have a look at the event’s website.

The goal of the Cancer Crosslinks meetings is to promote interactions between researchers and clinicians, as well as to encourage translational and clinical research, and new collaborations to advance the development of innovative cancer treatments. Cancer Crosslinks Norway has become one of the leading national meeting places gathering oncologists, hematologists, translational researchers, healthcare providers, regulatory experts, and industry representatives.

Next year, Cancer Crosslinks 2022 will be both a digital and on-site event, if Covid guidelines permit, on Thursday 27 January. Hope you will join us! Sign up here.

Skjermbilde av fire mennesker som snakker sammen digitalt

Three key people behind Cancer Crosslinks 2021, Jutta Heix, Siri Børø and Ali Areffard, were interviewed by Health Talk. Screenshot: Health Talk

 

A year of changes for the incubator

Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator had a newsworthy year. They launched a new Accelerator programme for incubator start-ups – identifying, selecting, and developing promising innovations that will improve the lives of cancer patients. The aim is to make the projects attractive for private and public investments. You can read about the OCCI Accelerator in this news article from March.

In May, the incubator changed leadership, as Bjørn Klem resigned and Janne Nestvold and Ketil Widerberg took over as the new leadership duo of the incubator. You can read about that change in this article.

Finally, we wish to show off the drive and efficiency of the incubator team in another year of the pandemic, turning office spaces into needed laboratories! Have a look at this article to find out how they did it. 

Three people in front of windows looking into camera

A new leadership duo from the right: Ketil Widerberg as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Janne Nestvold as new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Former General Manager Bjørn Klem (to the left) went on to new adventures in the start-up scene in OCC Innovation Park, as the new CEO of AdjuTec Pharma.

 

School Collaboration 2021

The collaboration with Ullern Upper Secondary School was kept in shape during another fragmented school year, with new mentors for the older students in the programme. One of several articles written about this dynamic collaboration, is this one, about Pål Kristian Selbo, the new mentor from the Institute for Cancer Research at Oslo University Hospital. All the school collaboration articles are in Norwegian.

You can read all the articles on the school collaboration home page. 

 

Being a Changemaker

Being a changemaker means that Oslo Cancer Cluster works towards improving the framework conditions for cancer innovations in the Norwegian health industry. During 2021, Oslo Cancer Cluster contributed to a total of eight public hearings about issues such as the outlook on Norway’s economy for the next forty years (Perspektivmeldingen), financial options for employees in start-ups and scale-ups, more available health data, the new plan for research and higher education, and the State Budget.

Read our political input and find out more about the role as a changemaker on this project webpage.

 

CONNECT up and running

While more than 30 000 Norwegians are diagnosed with cancer every year and the incidence is still increasing, more precise treatments can save lives. CONNECT is an initiative that was launched in December 2020, aiming to ensure that precision medicine reaches more cancer patients.

CONNECT, which stands for Norwegian Precision Cancer Medicine Implementation Consortium, is one of four interconnected initiatives that will ensure infrastructure and collaboration on diagnostics, clinical trials, implementation of advanced precision medicine, and use of health data e.g. for health economics analysis. In July 2021, five new partners joined the consortium, expanding the public-private space for discussions towards new solutions.

Read about the new partners in July in this article, and have a look at the CONNECT website, where all the partners are listed and the latest CONNECT news are released!  

CONNECT_newpartners_2021

 

Meeting the members digitally

One of Oslo Cancer Cluster’s core activities is to set up meeting places for the members – and fill them with relevant topics and discussions. In 2021, our members joined us digitally for events that we typically have at the Innovation Park with food and mingling. One of these was the yearly Summer Gathering. Even though it was digital, we had a great group gathered, and we even got a visit from the Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education. Three new members were introduced at this meeting in June: Bio-Me, Daiichi-Sankyo, and OsloMet.

Read more about the members and the meeting here.

In December, we had even more new members to meet in our December Gathering, also a digital event. We are happy to announce that the following companies have joined us and been introduced to the rest of the cluster in 2021: OncoSyne AS, Do More Diagnostics, Comunin AS, Daiichi-Sankyo, OsloMet, Alv B AS, OÜ Antegenes, Norimun AS, Bio-Me AS, Nanostring Technologies Europe Limited. 

Man in suit looking into camera

Henrik Asheim, the Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education in June 2021. Screenshot from our member meeting in June.

 

A year of good member news

It has been a good year for several of our members, and we wish to refer to some of their good news and highlights during 2021.

In October, Ultimovacs announced a new clinical study for lung cancer patients in Norway. This is the company’s fifth phase II combination study in lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC). During the same month, the company also announced that they had had a successful private placement, raising NOK 270 Million in a significantly oversubscribed round, and had reached a significant milestone by receiving a dual Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Read more about the Ultimovacs good news here.

Another of our member companies also had a round of good news this autumn. Vaccibody became Nykode Therapeutics, and entered into a collaboration with Regeneron, to develop innovative vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases. The deal is potentially worth over USD 900 Million. Read more about Nykode’s good news here (external link).

Last, but not least, researchers at Oslo University Hospital have received NOK 50 Million to form a Centre for Advanced Cell and Gene therapy (ACT-Centre) located in cleanroom facilities at the hospital. Among the investors were Radforsk and The Norwegian Cancer Society. The investment is dedicated to actions that strengthen the competence in cell differentiation, manipulation, and genomic editing under full-scale good manufacturing practices (GMP). Read more about this new centre here (external link).

 

Oslo Science City feasibility study

Oslo Cancer Cluster is a member of the innovation district Oslo Science City. At the very end of November, it released the new feasibility study for the innovation district. The ambition is to develop a world-leading innovation district in the Norwegian capital.

Oslo Science City is the first innovation district in Norway. It mobilises 7 500 researchers, 30 000 students, and 300 start-ups in developing ecosystems for innovation and green transformation, bringing together educational institutions, researchers, the business community, and the public sector.

You can read more, and find a link to download the study, in this article from the launch.

Group of people on a stage.

Group picture of the prominent guests and partners behind the study at Oslo City Hall. Photo: Oslo Science City

 

We became Mature

A shiny highlight for us, was when Oslo Cancer Cluster received the status “Mature Cluster” in the Norwegian Innovation Clusters programme. This happened in the middle of November. The mature cluster status is given to take advantage of the competencies and infrastructure that the clusters have developed over time. The goal is to allow for greater “industrial lifts” that contribute to the conversion and development of Norwegian industry.

We cannot wait to get started on our plans for 2022 as a Mature Cluster!

You can read more about the Mature Cluster Programme here.

Ketil Widerberg, CEO of Oslo Cancer Cluster, and Lena Nymo Helli, CEO of Norway Health Tech, receives the new Mature Cluster status from Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway. Photo: Tom Hansen

Ketil Widerberg, CEO of Oslo Cancer Cluster, and Lena Nymo Helli, CEO of Norway Health Tech, receives the new Mature Cluster status from Håkon Haugli, CEO of Innovation Norway. Photo: Tom Hansen

 

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US flags and a bridge

Felles veikart gjør veien til USA lettere

De fire helseklyngene i Norge skal fra neste år samarbeide om et veikart for bedrifter som ser mot det amerikanske markedet.

Scroll down for an English version of this article.

Med over 700 000 selskaper innen helse har USA den største helseindustrien globalt. Viken Fylkeskommune støtter og muliggjør prosjektet til helseklyngene.

Prosjektet bærer navnet “USA neste! Veikart til internasjonalisering for helsebedrifter”, og starter opp i januar 2022. De fire helseklyngene som går sammen om prosjektet er Norwegian Smart Care Cluster, Norway Health Tech, Oslo Cancer Cluster og The Life Science Cluster.

Et puff ut i verden

– Målet med prosjektet er å hjelpe bedrifter med internasjonal satsing. Med utgangspunkt i den samlede kunnskapen og erfaringen klyngene har opparbeidet over tid, vil vi utvikle et bedre veikart ved å samarbeide, enn hver for oss. Synergiene vil bidra til å akselerere bedriftenes internasjonaliserings- og eksportaktiviteter ytterligere slik at vekst i omsetning, arbeidsplasser og verdiskaping vil skje raskere enn hvis dette samarbeidet ikke finner sted, sier Therese Oppegaard, prosjektleder i Norwegian Smart Care Cluster.

USA er et viktig internasjonalt marked med stort potensiale. Bedrifter som lykkes der, har høy sannsynlighet for å lykkes i andre markeder. Når klyngene nå setter i gang et felles krafttak for internasjonalisering, blir det naturlig å søke samarbeid med Innovasjon Norge for å optimalisere arbeidet.

– Prosjektet USA neste! skal gi gründere og oppskaleringsbedrifter tilgang på ekspertise og nettverk de ellers normalt ikke har tilgang til, opplyser Oppegaard.

Dami i blå jakke på grønt gress ser inn i kamera og smiler

Therese Oppegaard, prosjektleder i Norwegian Smart Care Cluster.

­Et steg videre

Det internasjonale aspektet ved utvikling av bedre kreftlegemidler og diagnostikk har alltid vært viktig for Oslo Cancer Cluster, som nå ønsker å bygge videre på internasjonale initiativer med dette nye samarbeidet.

– Vi ønsker å skape ny innsikt, nye fora og muligheter for nytt samarbeid for våre medlemmer, og for det nasjonale økosystemet vi har for helseinnovasjon, sier Jutta Heix, Head of International Affairs og prosjektleder i Oslo Cancer Cluster.

– Ved å styrke nettverkene for klynger og helsenæring mellom Norge og USA, kan vi også gi bedre støtte til oppstarts- og biotechbedrifter på deres vei til nye forretningsmuligheter, sier Heix.

Jutta Heix, Head of International Affairs, OCC

Jutta Heix, Head of International Affairs i Oslo Cancer Cluster

Samarbeid forenkler veien

Chelsea Ranger, forretningsutvikler og investor-rådgiver, deltar i samarbeidsprosjektet fra The Life Science Cluster.

– Vi skal gjøre veien til det amerikanske markedet enklere og raskere for våre medlemmer. Når alle helseklyngene samarbeider, øker effekten av arbeidet, uavhengig av hvilken klynge selskapene er en del av. Vi representerer fire ulike industrisegmenter, men mulighetene for å jobbe smart sammen for å øke eksporten av norsk helseindustri, er store, sier Ranger.

– Det er mange gode norske oppstartsbedrifter med stort potensial for å lykkes i USA. Gjennom dette samarbeidet får de verdifulle kontakter mot industriledende eksperter, viktige fagmiljøer og ikke minst til investorer. Disse selskapene står i kapitalintensive utviklingsløp med høy risiko, og mange er avhengig av investorer i utlandet for å lykkes, avslutter Ranger.

Chelsea Ranger, prosjektleder i The Life Science Cluster.

Chelsea Ranger, prosjektleder i The Life Science Cluster.

En felles innsats

USA er blant de tre høyest prioriterte markedene for internasjonalisering og eksport hos de fire klyngene. Dette prosjektet legger til rette for å utnytte kontaktflater, kompetanse, medlemsmasse og allerede etablerte nettverk i ulike deler av USA.

Prosjektet er en felles innsats, og ledes av Trine Radmann fra Norway Health Tech.

– Vi tror fantastiske ting vil skje når de fire helseklyngene i Norge jobber sammen mot det amerikanske markedet. Forventningene er skyhøye til hva vi kan gjøre for å lette veien inn til verdens største helsemarked for norske helseselskap. Vi skal lytte, bygge kunnskap og hjelpe bedriftene. Veikartet til USA som nå skal utvikles gjennom dette programmet, kan brukes for fremtidige generasjoner av unge selskap som ser mot USA, sier Radmann.

Bilde av Trine Radmann, prosjektansvarlig og prosjektleder i Norway Health Tech

Trine Radmann, prosjektansvarlig for USA Neste! og prosjektleder i Norway Health Tech.

 

Om USA Neste!

FINANSIERING: Viken Fylkeskommune

HVEM: Norwegian Smart Care Cluster, Norway Health Tech, Oslo Cancer Cluster og The Life Science Cluster

HVA: Aktivitetene i prosjektet deles overordnet inn i fire områder:

  • Kartlegging/mobilisering
  • Opplæringsprogram
  • Internasjonalisering
  • Eksponering

OPPSTART: Prosjektet starter i januar 2022

KONTAKT: Ta kontakt med en av de fire prosjektlederne om du er interessert i mer informasjon:

Prosjektet er muliggjort av Viken Fylkeskommune.

Logo til Viken Fylkeskommune, blå skrift på hvit bakgrunn

 

A common road map secures the path to the American health market

From next year, the four health clusters in Norway will collaborate on a roadmap for companies looking at the American market.

This is a translated text from the Norwegian article above. 

With over 700,000 health companies, the United States has the largest health industry globally. Viken County Municipality supports and enables the project for the health clusters.

The project is called «USA next! Roadmap to internationalization for health companies », starting in January 2022. The four health clusters that join forces on the project are the Norwegian Smart Care Cluster, Norway Health Tech, Oslo Cancer Cluster, and The Life Science Cluster.

“The goal of the project is to help companies with international investment. Based on the overall knowledge and experience the clusters have gained over time, we will develop a better roadmap by collaborating, than each for us. The synergies will help to accelerate the companies’ internationalization and export activities further so that growth in turnover, jobs, and value creation will take place faster than if this collaboration didn’t happen,” says Therese Oppegaard from Norwegian Smart Care Cluster.

The United States is an important international market with great potential. Companies that succeed there have a high probability of success in other markets. When the clusters now join forces for internationalization, a logical step is to seek cooperation with Innovation Norway to optimize the work.

“The project USA next! will give entrepreneurs and scaling companies access to expertise and networks they otherwise don’t have access to,” Oppegaard states. 

One step further

The international aspect of developing better cancer drugs and diagnostics has always been important for Oslo Cancer Cluster, who will build on previous international initiatives with this new collaboration. – We want to create new insights, new forums, and opportunities for new collaboration for our members, and for the national ecosystem we have for health innovation, says Jutta Heix, Head of International Affairs in the Oslo Cancer Cluster, and project manager from the cluster.

“By strengthening the networks for clusters and health industries between Norway and the US, we can also provide better support to start-up and biotech companies on their way to new business opportunities,” says Heix.

Chelsea Ranger, business developer and investor advisor, contributing in the collaborative project from The Life Science Cluster, adds:

“We will make the road to the American market easier and faster for our members. When all the health clusters work together, the effect of the work increases, regardless of which cluster the companies are part of. The clusters represent four different industry segments, but the opportunities for working smart together to increase exports of the Norwegian health industry are great.”

“There are many good Norwegian start-up companies with great potential for success in the US. Through this collaboration, they gain valuable contacts with industry-leading experts, important professional environments and not least investors. These companies are in capital-intensive development races with high risk, and many depend on international investors to succeed,” Ranger concludes.

The United States is among the three most prioritized markets for internationalization and exports for the four clusters. This project facilitates the utilization of contact surfaces, expertise, membership and already established networks in various parts of the USA.

The project is a joint effort, and is led by Trine Radmann from Norway Health Tech.

“We think fantastic things will happen when the four health clusters in Norway work together towards the American market. Expectations are sky high for what we can do to facilitate the way into the world’s largest health market for Norwegian health companies. We will listen, build knowledge, and help companies. The road map to the USA, which will now be developed through this program, can be used for future generations of young companies looking towards the USA,” says Radmann.

The project starts in January 2022, contact one of the four contact persons below if you are interested in more information:

The project is made possible by Viken Fylkeskommune