Denmark’s “Lighthouses” Light the Way to Innovation

All over Denmark, public, private, and academic collaboration has led to the formation of eight different teams, “Lighthouses”. Each Lighthouse is allocated a local theme to tackle some of the country’s tough issues. In Copenhagen, Business Lighthouse Life Science has a goal to drive innovation that improves health, strengthens economic growth, and positions Denmark as a leader in the international life science arena – and makes Copenhagen a global health capital.

The movement is a response to the strain on Denmark’s, and most others countries’, national healthcare system due to rising medical costs from an aging population and chronic diseases, particularly obesity and mental illnesses.

The movement is a response to the strain on Denmark’s, and most others countries’, national healthcare system due to rising medical costs from an aging population and chronic diseases, particularly obesity and mental illnesses. Four out of five Danes will be treated for mental illness and one in five live with obesity.

These public/private partnerships are charged with finding ways to improve Denmark’s healthcare system by enhancing citizens’ health, systemic healthcare efficiency, and the quality of care. They should also fuel the growth of Danish companies and lead to greater employment opportunities and exports. Fortunately, institutions in Denmark excel at working together.

“Complex challenges often have so many aspects to them that we have to involve a range of people with very different backgrounds. This also brings together a lot of different skills and insights that we can all learn from, so that we see the potential, skill up those involved and make the partnership stronger and broader,” says Diana Arsovic, CEO of the Danish Life Science Cluster which facilitates the Business Lighthouse Life Science.

The Danish government and a number of large companies have provided funding for the program. Applicants submit proposals for grants and so far, about 100 partnerships have been funded within the Lighthouse Life Science. An independent company evaluates every partnership and assesses the goals and the benefits.

International interest

The Lighthouse concept has generated huge international interest and been praised as an innovative health solution. Visitors from 35 countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) have met with Danish officials to learn more about the how the program has been created and funded.

With our new collaboration with the WHO we can strengthen our international collaboration so that Danish solutions can contribute to the healthcare sector nationally and globally.

“The great international interest in our model is a confirmation that we’re onto something. We now need to continue to create real value for companies and the healthcare system. With our new collaboration with the WHO we can strengthen our international collaboration so that Danish solutions can contribute to the healthcare sector nationally and globally,” says Karin Jexner Hamberg, Chief Medical Officer and SVP at Lundbeck and Chair of the main consortium in Business Lighthouse Life Science.

Treating schizophrenia

One of many successful partnerships involves HekaVR, a company that develops medical software to help people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who experience persistent auditory illusions.

“It’s difficult to be a startup in the healthcare sector but with the help of Business Lighthouse Life Science we have received valuable support to take important steps in the right direction,” says Sara Leander-Pehrson, CEO of HekaVR.

Finding a successful treatment would bring relief to both patients and the healthcare system. Schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder in Denmark, affecting as many as 30,000 Danes, many of whom have not responded to conventional treatment.

Sara Leander-Pehrson, CEO, HekaVR, and Louise Birkedal Glenthøj, Head of Research, Virtu Research Group

The company’s software supports avatar therapy in virtual reality (VR) and was assessed in clinical trials from 2020 to 2024 together with Virtu Research Group, a research unit at Gentofte Hospital in Denmark. Patients develop an animated figure based on how they perceive the voice in their head. A therapist becomes the avatar’s voice, and the patient confronts it in a controlled environment in VR. Through a dialogue with the avatar, the patient can dispute the perceived criticism and start to free themselves from the torment.

Through a dialogue with the avatar, the patient can dispute the perceived criticism and start to free themselves from the torment.

The test results were not just encouraging, but astounding. Seven out of ten patients experienced less discomfort, and in some cases, the voices that patients heard in their heads disappeared after a series of VR treatments. Out of 140 patients in the trial, 11 no longer hear any voices.

“We have evidence that the treatment method creates value, and now we need to bring it to life,” says Louise Birkedal Glenthøj, Head of Research at Virtu Research Group.

Seven out of ten schizophrenia patients experienced less discomfort, and in some cases, the voices that patients heard in their heads disappeared after a series of HekaVR’s VR treatments.

A game-changer

My Magic is another company that has successfully collaborated to create the treatment My Magic Tummy, an online course designed to help children aged six to 12 with recurring stomach aches. The treatment is for functional stomach pain, which is when an individual experiences frequent abdominal pain, but no direct cause has been identified. Children can experience such severe pain that they are often absent from school and can’t play with other children.

The course was developed by doctor and clinical hypnotherapist, Anna Knakkergaard, in conjunction with families and other professionals. During the course, children and their families engage in a series of six weekly online modules (each between 45 and 75 minutes long). These include animated educational videos and assignments completed by the child and parents together. The themes of the modules include school/leisure, sleep, and self-esteem.

Between the modules, the child listens to different hypnotherapy audio files at least five times a week. Not only do children benefit from the lessons, but they also gain strength from knowing other children struggle with the same pain.

One 9-year-old girl suffering from functional stomach pain had to be picked up from school almost every day because of the severity of her pain. When the family tried My Magic Tummy, she felt like it was talking to her.

My Magic Tummy has been a game-changer for many families. Three out of four children reported feeling better or much better and 65% of parents reported that their children’s symptoms improved. One 9-year-old girl suffering from functional stomach pain had to be picked up from school almost every day because of the severity of her pain. When the family tried My Magic Tummy, she felt like it was talking to her. She particularly enjoys listening to the audio files before she goes to sleep. Since completing the course, she has also been attending school regularly and socializing with other children. Lighthouse Life Science is now supporting further development of the treatment to include teenagers from 13 to 17 years of age.

My Magic Tummy has been a game-changer for many families. Three out of four children reported feeling better or much better and 65% of parents reported their children changed for the better.

A global life science powerhouse

These collaborative initiatives represent the enormous potential for the Lighthouse Life Science to improve lives and solidify Denmark’s reputation as a global life science powerhouse as well as facilitate the development of new products.

A quarter of the projects are already on their way to market.

From 2021 to 2023 the Lighthouse Life Science was led by Novo Nordisk and 44 projects developed solutions for healthy weight for citizens, patients, and employees throughout Denmark. A quarter of the projects are already on their way to market, and 79% of the companies deem that the public/private collaboration has had a major impact on their development and growth.