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Deep dive into collaboration

Stakeholders from across the Norwegian and European health innovation ecosystem gathered for the Oslo Deep Dive Days.

Group photo of Clusters4Health and Oslo Cancer Cluster team members – A large group of men and women pose for a photo indoors in front of two vertical banners that read "Clusters4Health" and "Oslo Cancer Cluster." The background includes a screen displaying “Clusters4Health Accreditation Process.” Participants are dressed in business and smart casual attire, and the setting appears to be a conference or health innovation meeting. Keywords: Clusters4Health, Oslo Cancer Cluster, healthcare collaboration, European health clusters, cancer research, team photo, international partnership.
Over two energizing days, the spotlight was placed squarely on the power of collaboration—across borders, sectors, and institutions—to accelerate solutions in health innovation, crisis preparedness, and cancer care. All photos: Oslo Cancer Cluster

Highlights from Oslo Deep Dive Days, hosted by Oslo Cancer Cluster in partnership with the Clusters4Health project, on 3–4 December 2025.

Published

Dec 10, 2025

Author

Dave Tippett

Voices from the Innovation Park

Day 1 opened with a welcome from Ketil Widerberg and Marine Jeanmougin of Oslo Cancer Cluster, setting the tone for the event's focus on international cooperation and public-private partnerships.

The “Voices of the Innovation Park” session gave a rich cross-section of the Oslo Cancer Cluster ecosystem, featuring:

  • Voin Petrović, Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Ian Vogel, Oslo University Hospital
  • Monica Jenstad, Ullern High School
  • Jonas Einarsson, Radforsk

Together, they offered diverse perspectives on education, industry, and research—underscoring how long-term partnerships are essential for building innovation capacity.

Delegates discussing at Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park atrium – A group of professionals, including a woman in a green top and a woman in a red sweater, stand on an upper level inside a modern, spacious building with glass walls and hanging sculpture art. The setting is bright and professional, suggesting an innovation hub or research facility. Keywords: Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park, business meeting, atrium discussion, health innovation, research facility tour, professional collaboration, cancer research dialogue.
Monica Jenstad from Ullern High School showing the delegation around campus.

Bridging crises with innovation

In the afternoon, participants explored “Joint Health Initiatives” through a two-part session focused on health innovation in times of crisis. The first part, Innovating for Crisis Preparedness, included:

  • Introductory remarks from H.E. Ambassador Oleksiy Gavrys, Ukraine
  • A roundtable on frontline health innovations
  • A presentation on The Nansen Programme for Ukraine by Christian Syse from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This session highlighted the intersection of diplomacy, healthcare, and innovation, with a strong message: collaborative health systems are more resilient in times of crisis.

The second part, Cancer Research and Care in Times of Crisis, turned the lens on oncology. A panel discussion addressed how researchers, hospitals, and companies can unite to meet the challenges cancer care faces in unstable contexts. The message was clear—partnerships aren’t optional; they’re essential.

Engaged discussion during facility tour – A man in a blue suit addresses a group of smiling attendees, including women in red and dark jackets, in a brightly lit hallway with office and lab equipment visible. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, showing active engagement and networking. Keywords: business networking, healthcare delegation, research facility tour, Oslo Cancer Cluster engagement, collaborative innovation, cancer research community, professional interaction.
Head of OCC, Ketil Widerberg leading the delegation on a tour of the incubator.

Training for the future of clusters

The event also served as a training ground for cluster leaders, offering three in-depth modules:

  • Cluster Development & Internationalisation, led by Espen Warland, Innovation Norway
  • Navigating EU Soft Funding Opportunities, presented by Frederik Sondergaard (DG Research and Innovation), Rui Sousa (Innovayt), and Marine Jeanmougin
  • Systems Thinking for Cluster Management, guided by Kazimierz Murzyn from The LifeScience Cluster Krakow

These sessions provided strategic insight for building stronger, more adaptive clusters that are prepared to tackle both local needs and global challenges.

Closing with a view to the future

The programme concluded with a site visit to SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations. The visit further underscored the importance of applied research and cross-institutional collaboration in driving meaningful health outcomes.

Tour of medical facility at Oslo Cancer Cluster – A healthcare professional in white scrubs explains a point to visitors standing in a corridor with large windows. The group listens attentively, indicating an informative guided tour of a clinical or research facility. Keywords: medical facility tour, healthcare professional, cancer research center, Oslo Cancer Cluster, clinical environment, professional visit, healthcare collaboration.
Anna Pasetto, Director of the Center for Advanced Cell Therapy, showing the newly built facilities they are soon moving in to.

A snapshot of cross-sector commitment

What made Oslo Deep Dive Days truly stand out was the diverse mix of contributors—from high school educators to biotech executives, from diplomats to data scientists. This event reminded everyone that the future of health innovation relies not on silos, but on synergy.

Whether it’s building capacity in Ukrainian medical clusters or strengthening Europe’s response to cancer, Oslo Cancer Cluster and its partners are showing what’s possible when collaboration is made a priority.

Read more about the Clusters4Health project on our project page

Deep dive into collaboration