Opening John Ugelstad Hus

On Thursday, 27 November, city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg officially opened the new building in Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park, named the John Ugelstad Building.

It was a full house in the Kåre Norum auditorium, with around 300 guests, all eager to celebrate the park, the collaborations taking place there daily, and the science that is ultimately benefiting cancer patients.

Inside the building

“We are opening this building ahead of schedule and under budget. That alone is remarkable, but what truly matters is what will take place inside. The fact that one of the world’s largest life science companies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, is placing several of its research departments here in the building is an international seal of quality for our entire environment,” said Einarsson, CEO of Radforsk.

He is the initiator of Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park and has closely followed the construction of John Ugelstad’s House.

Read more about the building here.

“I hope everyone who will be working here is inspired by the name and legacy of John Ugelstad. He was a remarkable researcher and visionary, and he launched a Norwegian industrial adventure when he created the Ugelstad beads. This is an unparalleled invention that is used daily in cancer treatment and diagnostics across most fields worldwide,” said Einarsson.

The success of the Norwegian branch of Thermo Fisher Scientific is built on the Ugelstad beads — also known as Dynabeads — developed by the late Professor John Ugelstad, after whom the new building is named.

“And we are not stopping here. Planning is now underway for a new building called Oslo Science Hub next to the Innovation Park, which will further establish the Radium Hospital Campus as a world-leading centre for the development of innovative cancer treatment. If everything goes according to plan, this building will be completed in 2030, adding a further 40,000 square metres dedicated to the fight against cancer,” said Einarsson.

A driving force

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre gave an opening speech, in which he stated:

"Over these past ten years, Oslo Cancer Cluster together with Oslo University Hospital has been a driving force in developing what, a decade ago, was quite a new concept: personalised medicine — immunotherapy, as we also call it — and the use of AI in cancer treatment."

"The cluster has also helped ensure that more patients can take part in clinical trials and therefore gain faster access to new treatments. And it has contributed to making Norway visible internationally as a leading nation in cancer research and innovation. I believe that is exactly where we should be. They combine patient care, research, and business development. And there is no doubt that this is an area where the demand for ideas and product development will be substantial."

Want to hear the rest of the prime minister's speech, as well as all the other contributions? The video is available on our YouTube channel. It is in Norwegian.

Photocure won the innovation prize

“Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park shows what happens when research, industry and the healthcare sector pull in the same direction for the benefit of patients. The new building is clear evidence that Norway is investing in innovation that will lead to better, more precise cancer treatment. For patients, this means hope, more time and improved quality of life. That is why it is a great pleasure to present this year’s Innovation Prize to honour those who push the boundaries of what is possible,” said Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Cancer Society.

She presented the award, amounting to NOK 300,000, to the company Photocure. See their reaction in the video!