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Our history

Oslo Cancer Cluster was initiated in 2006 by Kaare Norum, former Principal of the University of Oslo and Jónas Einarsson, CEO of Radforsk.

In 2006, Kaare Norum, former Principal of the University of Oslo and Jónas Einarsson, CEO of Radforsk, realised that a natural cluster within oncology had developed around the Norwegian Radium Hospital. By initiating a cluster member organisation, Norum and Einarsson wanted to accelerate the ongoing collaborations and stimulate even more commercialisation. In 2007, they succeeded with their application for Oslo Cancer Cluster to become a Norwegian Centre of Expertise – the only one within health.

Already from the start, the idea was to expand the cluster from a regional Oslo-based oncology cluster to a national and international cluster. Several university hospitals and technology transfer offices from across Norway soon joined as members. Oslo Cancer Cluster today includes organisations from across the globe and the Norwegian branches of most larger pharmaceutical companies developing cancer treatments.

Two older men dressed in suits are standing side by side, both wearing ties. The man on the left has light gray hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a light blue tie. The man on the right has short white hair and is wearing a blue patterned tie with a white shirt. Both are smiling softly and appear to be at an event or conference, as both are wearing small microphones attached to their faces. The background is a solid orange with partial text visible behind them. — Jonas Einarsson and Kaare Norum co-founded Oslo Cancer Cluster in 2006. Photo: Gunnar Kopperud

Opening of innovation park

In May 2015, the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park and Incubator opened at Montebello, right next to the Norwegian Radium Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research. The Innovation Park connects the health industry with the academic milieus at the Radium Hospital Campus, gathering the entire oncology value chain in one place.

A woman stands on stage delivering a presentation to an audience. She is dressed in a black jacket and coral floral dress, holding a tablet while gesturing with her hand. Behind her, a large screen displays an aerial view of a modern building complex, likely related to the event. The stage is flanked by two tall orange banners with white text that reads "CANCER CLUSTER INNOVATION PARK." The audience in the foreground is focused on the speaker, and the setting suggests a formal presentation or keynote speech at a conference or corporate event. — Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg spoke at the opening of Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park in 2015. Photo: Gunnar Kopperud.

Awards and recognitions

Oslo Cancer Cluster was awarded the Gold Label certificate from the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) in December 2019. This is the highest recognition a European cluster organisation can achieve. The certificate was renewed in December 2022, when Oslo Cancer Cluster was given an overall score of 94%.

Oslo Cancer Cluster also received Mature Cluster status within the Norwegian Innovation Clusters programme in the beginning of 2021.

This image depicts a large, modern office building with a minimalist design. The building features a grid of uniformly arranged windows set within a beige facade, with clean vertical lines creating a structured, geometric look. The building sits on a slightly elevated area with landscaped pathways and grassy sections. In the background, several other buildings can be seen, similar in design but with facades featuring red, yellow, and neutral tones. The image gives an impression of a well-organized business district or campus. The sky is partly cloudy, and a few figures are seen walking in the foreground, adding a sense of scale and activity to the scene. — Illustration: Dark Arkitekter

Further expansions

The second building phase of Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park was started in April 2023. This includes setting up a fourth section of the current building, which will house an additional 12 000 sqm of offices and laboratories for companies and public institutions working for the development of new cancer treatments.

In 2024, the architectural drawings for Oslo Science Hub were sent to Oslo City Council and the necessary lots were sold to enable construction.