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Tour de life science – Denmark’ s collaborative strategy for growth
WITH COPENHAGEN AND THE GREATER COPENHAGEN REGION AT ITS CORE, DENMARK IS TURNING LIFE SCIENCE INTO A NATIONAL TESTBED FOR INNOVATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS LEGACY
From national vision to ecosystem Denmark’ s Life Science Strategy towards 2030, launched in 2024, sets an ambitious goal for the country to become a leading European life sciences nation by the end of the decade, benefiting patients, the healthcare system, and the wider economy.
The strategy is rooted in close cooperation between government, industry, academia, and healthcare, reflecting Denmark’ s long-standing culture of public – private partnership.
At the centre stands the Life Science Council, a high-level public – private forum that advises the government on research, innovation, and the practical rollout of the strategy. Meeting several times a year, the Council ensures that policy is grounded in sector realities and that implementation is continuously monitored and adjusted.
Benchmarks impacting business events The 2030 strategy outlines six strategic benchmarks shaping Denmark’ s life science future: 1. Strengthening growth and innovation. 2. Advancing research and the use of health data. 3. Enhancing the adoption of innovation in the healthcare system. 4. Securing attractive conditions for production and foreign investment. 5. Expanding international cooperation and health diplomacy. 6. Building collaboration across the life science sector. Each benchmark has direct implications for the business events sector, from creating demand for international congresses on STRONGHOLDS with topics such as digital health and AI, to positioning Denmark as a testbed for
“ In Denmark, life science is not just an industry – it is a shared national project, steered jointly by government, academia, and business” new therapies and data-driven health solutions. The strategy’ s emphasis on exports and foreign investment further underlines the role of international meetings as gateways to new markets and partnerships.
Medicon Valley – the cross-border engine Medicon Valley is the binational life science region spanning Eastern Denmark and Southern Sweden and is a good representation of Greater Copenhagen ' s life science proposition. The cluster brings together a dense concentration of universities, hospitals, start-ups, and global pharma and medtech companies, supported by the region’ s strong research infrastructure and Nordic quality of life.
Cluster organisation Medicon Valley Alliance( MVA), founded in 1997, now counts more than 300 member organisations and works to stimulate collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and cross-border projects. For congresses and corporate events, Medicon Valley offers a critical mass of expertise and access to industry ready-made platform for networking, partnering, and talent attraction.
Danish Life Science Cluster and the lighthouse model At the national level, the Danish Life Science Cluster( DLSC) brings together companies, knowledge institutions, hospitals, municipalities, and innovation partners through a single platform. Established in 2020 with hubs in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg, DLSC’ s mission is to translate Danish research excellence into scalable, commercial health and welfare solutions.
DLSC is also a key driver of Business Lighthouse Life Science, which was launched with substantial government funding to promote public – private collaboration on significant health challenges. The first lighthouse streams –“ Healthy Weight” and“ Mental Health” – focus on obesity and mental wellbeing,
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