“Much more investment in research and innovation is essential for Denmark to successfully tackle the challenges of the future. A key part of this is improving access to data, and researchers will now have more rapid, easy and efficient access to health data – along with optimal opportunities to analyze them. This will reinforce Denmark’s position as a leading innovator in health, benefitting both research and patients,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

One single authority instead of multiple authorities

The creation of a new national gateway to health data for research and innovation – along with a new national analysis platform – will make conducting research and developing health solutions using Denmark’s health data easier and require fewer resources, states the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Researchers will be able to apply for access to health data through a single authority – instead of the current system, which requires applying to multiple authorities. 

The new health data infrastructure is being developed as a joint public initiative supported by a grant of DKK 200 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

Two supercomputers

Last year, the Gefion supercomputer was launched through collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). Later this year, Denmark will get another supercomputer. Together, these two supercomputers – with other analysis environments and the new health data infrastructure – will strengthen health research in Denmark, states the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

The national health data infrastructure will include: 

  1. A single point of access – a new portal will be the focal entry point for health data in Denmark. This will streamline application processes and ensure that requests for access to data across public authorities are more consistently managed.
  2. National analysis platform – a unified information technology platform will be designed to provide secure access to health data within dedicated analysis environments. It will also support the use of supercomputing capacity – including Gefion – enabling advanced analysis.