- News article
This is needed to strengthen the life science industries in Norway
Norway Health Tech, The Life Science Cluster, Oslo Cancer Cluster, Biotech North, NCE Heidner Biocluster, and Eitri Health Incubator have jointly submitted a consultation response to the Norwegian Parliament to strengthen the life sciences industry in Norway.
Written by
Therese Oppegaard
In April, the Health and Care Committee held a hearing on developing a strategy for the life sciences industry, prompted by a proposal from Conservative Party politicians Erna Solberg, Sveinung Stensland, Tone Trøen, Kari-Anne Jønnes, and Tina Bru for a national life sciences strategy.
The consultation response can be found here: Strategi for livsvitenskapsnæring_ høringsinnspill_klyngene_20250425, and the Conservative Party´s proposal is available here.
Key points from the submission include:
Broader Perspective: Life sciences must be placed in a wider industrial context, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration between healthcare, food, bioresource industries, and technology actors.
Strengthening Leading Areas: Prioritize areas critical for health preparedness and population welfare where Norway already excels, such as clinical trials, industry collaboration, and initiatives like Cancer Mission Hub and CONNECT. Increase investment in fields like ultrasound, microelectronics/robotics, digital home monitoring, AI, and neurology/dementia.
Testing and Production: Establish a health catapult for testing, piloting, and production-oriented innovation in medtech, e-health, and biopharmaceuticals.
Health Data: Create a national data platform with fast-track approval mechanisms, task Helsenorge with developing a national consent solution by 2026, and establish an action plan for AI standardization, implementation, and commercialization.
Procurement: Introduce an “innovation criterion” weighted at least 20% in relevant procurements.
Holistic Healthcare Funding: Ensure faster patient access to innovative medicines, regardless of whether treatment occurs in municipalities, at GP offices, hospitals, or patients’ homes.
Health Exports: Attract competent capital through tax incentives for life sciences investments and increased state risk mitigation.
Ecosystem Strengthening: Recommend long-term, enhanced funding for life science clusters, with 50% public and 50% private financing to bolster contributions to healthcare services and the health industry.
