Jeanette Edblad is the new Director of the Office for Life Sciences at the Government Offices in Sweden. NLS asked her about her new role and about Swedish life sciences.
Jeanette Edblad has been heading the unit for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is responsible for life science issues at the Ministry of Climate and Business. She has previously worked with questions about research and innovation, life science, other industries and regional development.
Congratulations! What are you most looking forward to working with in your new role?
“Thank you very much. First of all, I am excited to be a part of this great team at the Office for Life Sciences. I believe that the office, which has been running since 2018, really has benefited Sweden in several ways. As a matter of fact, the responsible ministers in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social affairs, and Ministry of Climate and Enterprise understood quite early in office that the life sciences sector asked for continued work within the field and they supported the cross-governmental function that the Office for Life Sciences represents.”
“Being given the privilege to lead this work, I am looking forward to engaging in the further development of the intergovernmental collaboration and also making sure that the office is the natural point of contact for life sciences-related matters for outside contacts.”
What do you believe are the most important issues when it comes to strengthening and developing the Swedish life science industry?
“Collaboration between the public sector, healthcare, universities, and business is key. The progress we have seen so far, e.g., in the development of precision health, is of course the result of good research but also of really trustful collaboration between these actors. Collaboration will continue to be of utmost importance for the work ahead for life sciences and the life science industry in Sweden. The continuation of the Office for Life Sciences is also a part of the government’s continued efforts in promoting such collaboration.”
The progress we have seen so far, e.g., in the development of precision health, is of course the result of good research but also of really trustful collaboration between these actors.”
“The main task for me and the office, together with the concerned ministers and ministries, is to continue the work on the implementation of the national life science strategy. This includes updating the strategy to focus on the most important issues at hand and to build on the numerous results achieved so far.”
Early adoption of new innovations is a cornerstone for competitiveness.”
“After only a couple of months on the job it is too early to point to the most urgent issues. However, the government’s overall view is that the life science industry is important to Sweden and has been a prioritized sector for a long time. Making it easy and beneficial for life sciences companies to develop their products and continue to grow their businesses here is key. Early adoption of new innovations is a cornerstone for competitiveness. Competitive life sciences companies create jobs, export revenues, and novel therapies for patients. The ministers have explained that they will do their best to be an active partner in this work to promote life sciences.”
The Office for Life Sciences
The office acts as a link between the actors of the life science sector and the government’s work. The purpose of the office is to promote knowledge development, innovation and quality in health care and care, as well as at universities and colleges. The office also works to improve the conditions for life science companies to be established and exist in Sweden. The work takes place with the support of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Photo: Cornelia Edblad
