A new project seeks to build on the cluster’s strengths by positioning it as a global centre for microbiome research.

The Microbiome Signature Project aims to strengthen entry into the Greater Copenhagen region’s research environment within microbiome research through enhancing collaboration and synergies cross border and cross disciplines. It will also seek to boost private investments in research and innovation, through establishing international research facilities and activities, as well as attracting talent to both publicly and privately funded research environments.

The project, financed by Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak, will run over three years (2019-2022), and is jointly led by Medicon Valley Alliance, Copenhagen Capacity and Invest in Skåne.

Microbiome research is expanding

Research in the microbiome is a relatively new interdisciplinary field that takes place across several established research fields, and has gained particular interest in recent years due to its links to a number of conditions, ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain types of cancer.

“Microbiome research is expanding in Greater Copenhagen with companies like, Biogaia, Chr. Hansen, Ferring, Novozymes, Probi and SNIPR BIOME investing in its continuous development.”

Microbiome research is expanding in Greater Copenhagen with companies like, Biogaia, Chr. Hansen, Ferring, Novozymes, Probi and SNIPR BIOME investing in its continuous development. Microbiome research is also being investigated by the academic world with both Copenhagen University, Lund University and the Technical University of Denmark researching how microbiome influences illnesses such as asthma, diarrhea and obesity and how microbiome can help women’s health or improve food security of aid in sustainable food production.

Additionally, fermentation research is a core competence for both businesses and universities in Greater Copenhagen and this has resulted in the region being a market leader within this technology. Companies like Chr. Hansen and Novozymes are on the forefront when it comes to fermentation facilities and production.

MVA Microbiome network

Based on the growing interest in microbiome science identified at the Medicon Valley Alliance Microbiome Summit 2017, MVA decided, together with the Technical University of Denmark, Lund University, University of Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk, to initiate a professional network of Danish and Swedish microbiome scientist and business developers working in drug discovery, nutrition and probiotic development.

The ambition is to help raise the bar and increase opportunities for researchers from industry, academia and the hospital sector to meet, and promote an area where the region has a high international competitive edge. The network hope that its platform will be used to network and share knowledge with colleagues from across the region and possibly form new partnerships. Joining the network is free of charge and is limited to Medicon Valley Alliance members only. However, non-member organizations and companies are welcome to attend one network event to evaluate if joining the network is relevant. If so, becoming a member of Medicon Valley Alliance will automatically allow you to join the microbiome network.

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