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BIO-Europe 2024 - Norway promotes health innovation

The 30th BIO-Europe gathered the global health and biotech industry for Europe’s largest partnering meeting in Stockholm.

Group photo of around 30 people gathered on a staircase and surrounding landing area within a wood-paneled conference venue. The participants, a mix of men and women, wear business attire and display name badges on lanyards, indicating attendance at a professional event. They are positioned across multiple levels of the staircase and platform, with smiles and friendly expressions. On the right wall, a vibrant abstract artwork in warm tones complements the setting's wood finishes and natural light coming through skylights above.
Norwegian representatives from the health clusters, Innovation Norway, health and biotech companies, start-ups and more, gathered at BIO-Europe 2024 in Stockholm to promote Norway in health. Photo: Liisa Eelsoo
Published

Nov 8, 2024

Author

Sofia Linden

Category
Event

BIO-Europe came to the Nordics for the first time this week, as the 2024 edition of the conference was held in Stockholm. More than 5 500 people representing 2 800 businesses from 60 different countries participated in the three-day event. Norway was strongly represented with more than 25 different organisations, including the national health clusters.

“We are very pleased that we could jointly raise Norway’s profile at BIO-Europe via a highly interactive embassy reception, an attractive pavilion and Ambassador Aud Kolberg’s visit at our booth. It was rewarding to see so many Norwegian companies using the partnering and networking opportunities throughout the conference. With my more than 25 partnering meetings, I could also create novel contacts for many of our member companies and the Norwegian eco-system, and I truly enjoyed all interactions during the conference,” said Jutta Heix, Head of International Affairs, Oslo Cancer Cluster.

A networking event with attendees socializing in a warmly lit, upscale venue. A woman in the foreground sits alone in a modern armchair with a drink, observing the room. Several groups of people in business attire stand nearby, engaged in conversation and holding glasses. Candles and floral arrangements adorn the tables, creating an inviting atmosphere. In the background, a crowd gathers near a vibrant wall painting, adding a touch of art to the setting. The scene suggests a relaxed, professional gathering, likely part of a conference or seminar.
Almost 100 people enjoyed vibrant networking at the evening reception arranged at the Norwegian embassy, co-organised by Innovation Norway and Oslo Cancer Cluster. Photo: Liisa Eelsoo

Networking for innovation

On the first conference day, an evening reception was arranged by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Stockholm in collaboration with Innovation Norway and Oslo Cancer Cluster. The event was attended by almost 100 people from more than 15 different countries. The fireside chat with Carl Borrebaeck, Nina Kreymborg and Magnus R. Björsne was moderated by Jutta Heix and set the scene for vibrant networking and discussions on how to advance excellent science into globally successful companies.

BIO-Europe in Stockholm is one of the conferences that is financed by the national export reform in health and life science this year.

“The presence is important to put Norway on the map, promote Norway’s ambitions in health and life science and show Norway as an attractive country to invest in,” said Tone Varslot Stave, Head of health export at Innovation Norway. “It is also one of this year’s most important partnering events for Norwegian life science companies looking for funding and industry partners.”

A panel discussion taking place in a wood-paneled venue with four seated speakers, three women and one man, engaged in conversation. The man on the right holds a microphone, appearing to speak to the audience. The group is positioned on a platform near a staircase, with a scenic landscape painting on the wall behind them. Blurred figures in the foreground suggest an attentive audience. The ambiance is warm and professional, suitable for a conference or seminar setting.
The panel discussion centred on creating value from cutting-edge science in the Nordics. From left to right: Jutta Heix, Carl Borrebaeck, Nina Kreymborg and Magnus R. Björsne. Photo: Liisa Eelsoo

Team Norway grows stronger

For the first time, there was a Norway pavilion in the exhibition hall, organised by Innovation Norway and Oslo Cancer Cluster in partnership with the Life Science Cluster, Norway Health Tech, Norwegian Smart Care Cluster and Biotech North. DNB // Back Bay sponsored a barista station and the pavilion was always buzzing with international guests and representatives from the Norwegian delegation.

Together with the industry, Innovation Norway has earlier this year also financed Nordic Life Science Days in Malmö and HETT Technology in London.

“We are starting to see a more united Norway; we are more like a national team than before. It is fun to see that the Team Norway collaboration through the health clusters, embassies and Innovation Norway works - ‘stronger together’,” said Stave enthusiastically.

A group of professionals engaged in a discussion at a health industry event, with a tall blue sign nearby that reads "Norway - Let's talk health." The setup appears to be a busy conference or expo hall with high ceilings, modern lighting, and other attendees visible in the background. A laptop on the table suggests they are reviewing information or networking, with the participants displaying engaged body language and focused expressions, typical of industry or business exchanges. The setting highlights Norway's focus on the health and life sciences sectors.
The Norway pavilion in the exhibition hall, with a barista station sponsored by DNB // Back Bay, attracted attention from international attendees. Here Ambassador Aud Kolberg speaks with Jonathan Gertler, CEO of Back Bay Life Science Partners. Photo: Liisa Eelso

Oncology start-ups gained attention

Oslo Cancer Cluster was very well represented with many of its members, including Adjutec Pharma, ArtBio, Curida Diatec, DNB Markets, Hemispherian, Link Medical, NEC, Nextera, Nykode Therapeutics, PCI Biotech and Thelper. The two recent oncology spin-offs from the SPARK Norway programme, RAB Diagnostics and ImmunoQuest, also joined BIO-Europe.

"We had three busy days filled with meetings with vendors, investors, pharmaceutical companies and specialists from all parts of the world. It is fantastic to obtain new knowledge, relationships and great ideas that can help us to bring our first-in-class targeted chemotherapy to cancer patients who have high unmet need for effective and safe treatments," commented Katja Vetvik, CEO and founder of Thelper.

“BIO-Europe 2024 is a fantastic opportunity for Hemispherian to connect directly with leaders, innovators, investors and collaborators across the biotech and pharma sectors. Over the course of 3 days, we get to meet and exchange thoughts with many industry specialists and with other companies that share our mission of improving patients’ lifes,” said Zeno Albisser, CEO of Hemispherian.

A busy exhibition hall featuring the Norway booth at an international health industry conference. The booth, branded with "Norway" and the slogan "Let's talk health," is marked by a tall blue structure with a sleek white arch and high bar stools for seating. Attendees are gathered around, engaging in conversations and networking. Other booths from various organizations and companies are visible in the background, and the hall is illuminated by bright industrial-style ceiling lights, giving a professional and modern atmosphere.
The three busy conference days were filled with valuable partnering meetings for the Norwegian start-up companies. Photo: Liisa Eelso

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BIO-Europe 2024 - Norway promotes health innovation