NLS asked the Chief Executive Officer of Sahlgrenska Science Park about her new role and future plans.

Congratulations! What are you most looking forward to working with in your new role?

“To address healthcare challenges by enabling future lifesaving treatments through healthcare innovation.”

You have been the CEO of Cellink and you have held several leadership roles at Essity. What previous experience from the life science industry do you believe will be useful and will benefit you in your new role?

“My experience of building businesses, locally as well as globally, based on key customer needs within healthcare/biotech has provided me with a good understanding of how to create a win-win-win, solving healthcare challenges by enabling innovation and building businesses.”

I have absorbed an understanding of best practices and created a wide network of collaboration and partners during the making of these business.”

“I have absorbed an understanding of best practices and created a wide network of collaboration and partners during the making of these business, which I hope will provide an understanding of what works (and doesn’t), as well as a network of market access.”

How would you describe your leadership style?

“Inclusive and collaborative, involving my team and stakeholders on the journey creates energy towards our common mission, as well as humble, and down-to-earth in the eyes of life science where there are an amazing number of experts in the field.”

How will you and your colleagues work to strengthen West Sweden’s visibility and offering within life sciences?

“The assignment from our shareholders and our purpose at Sahlgrenska Science Park is to be a life science hub driving innovations that are addressing healthcare challenges. Our role is to secure collaboration between the key stakeholders, academia, healthcare, industry, and accelerate health innovation through our business development program and shared lab offices, as well as identifying key areas of collaboration.”

What challenges does West Sweden’s life science industry face and how should we handle them?

“We need to enable a stronger collaboration within the ecosystem in order to enable the win-win for both the local region in terms of addressing local healthcare challenges as well as attracting scientists and entrepreneurs to live and work and build businesses in the region.”

What do you believe are key factors for a thriving Nordic life science industry?

“Collaboration between the partners; building on each other we will reach further together. Scientists and entrepreneurs need to get an insight into the key challenges and needs to solve today’s healthcare challenges. The healthcare sector needs to get access to innovators and entrepreneurs who are excited to enable future lifesaving solutions.”

The healthcare sector needs to get access to innovators and entrepreneurs who are excited to enable future lifesaving solutions.”

Photo of Cecilia Edebo: Sahlgrenska Science Park