The Stockholm region has both a long and strong life science tradition, spanning the entire value chain of research, development and production. Several important contributions have sprung from well-renowned academic institutions, such as the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), the Karolinska Institute, the Karolinska University Hospital and the University of Stockholm. Life sciences is today one of the region’s strongest industries, together with banking, financing and IT.

And the sector’s growth has been significant. Between 2009 and 2019, the number of life science companies in the Stockholm-Uppsala region increased by almost 50%. This was stated in a report published by the Stockholm Science City Foundation in 2022. The report also summarized how the region compares globally. It is ranked as one of the most innovative regions in Europe and only Silicon Valley can showcase a greater number of unicorns per capita, stated the authors of the report.

Cross-disciplinary R&D

Another important trait of life sciences in Stockholm is a translational approach and cross-disciplinary research. A great example of how the region creates new possibilities when different disciplines work closely together is the Science for Life Laboratory, SciLifeLab, where bioinformaticians get together with mathematicians, medical experts and engineers. 

SciLifeLab Campus Solna

SciLifeLab is a center for molecular biosciences that over the past decade has become a significant force within Swedish life science. It was established in 2010 in Stockholm and three years later it merged with SciLifeLab in Uppsala, becoming a national resource for the whole country. SciLifeLab has also served as a sounding board for multinational companies seeking to establish in Sweden. 

A vibrant science city

The new city neighborhood of Hagastaden, due to be finalized 2030, has a unique location with proximity to several world-renowned universities and institutions including Karolinska Institutet, the Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm (KTH) and Stockholm University. 

Vision illustration from 2021, eastern Hagastaden. Illustration: White Arkitekter

The first tenants moved into Hagastaden in 2017, and today Hagastaden offers a mixture of businesses, research, meeting places, restaurants and housing. Clear focus areas of the new district are life, health and innovation, and the ambition is to become one of the world’s leading areas for life sciences.

The 27,500 square meter-large Life City building, which was completed and ready for tenants at the beginning of 2022, has for example attracted many life science companies to locate in Hagastaden. The building is spectacularly situated on top of the E4 in the middle of Hagastaden.

Another life science hot spot in Hagastaden is Forskaren, Hagaplan 1, a meeting place for 1,700 employees that offers 24,000 square meters of offices, co-working, common areas, space for events, lectures, exhibitions and art.

Forskaren. Illustration: 3XN architects/Vectura

2 x Stockholm profiles

Malin Parkler. Photo: Jenny Öhman/NLS

Malin Parkler, CEO of Pfizer Sweden, is driven by curiosity and a passion to build knowledge and evolve the life science industry – with the ultimate goal to yield real benefits for patients.

Mathias Uhlén
Mathias Uhlén. Photo: Jenny Öhman/NLS

Swedish scientist and “serial entrepreneur” Mathias Uhlén, professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, has not only founded more than 20 companies in recent years, but his research has generated more than 650 publications and he is now one of the most cited researchers in Sweden, with more than 8,000 citations last year.

Pharmaceutical export – strong driving force for the Swedish economy

Swedish pharmaceutical exports continue to develop positively according to new figures from Statistics Sweden (SCB). Sweden’s total exports increased by 4 percent in value and two percent in volume during the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023. Pharmaceutical exports increased during the period by 9 percent in value and 3 percent in volume.

During January to June, pharmaceuticals accounted for 7.7 percent of Sweden’s total export value. During the first half of 2024, Sweden exported medicines worth nearly SEK 82 billion. During the same period, medicines worth SEK 40 billion were imported. This means that pharmaceuticals have a positive trade net of almost SEK 42 billion and strongly contribute to a positive Swedish trade balance.

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Pharmaceutical export – strong driving force for the Swedish economy

Swedish pharmaceutical exports continue to develop positively according to new figures from Statistics Sweden (SCB). Sweden’s total exports increased by 4 percent in value and two percent in volume during the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023. Pharmaceutical exports increased during the period by 9 percent in value and […]

Stockholm – Part of the Nordic life science region

During the past 15-20 years, all five Nordic countries’ have made exciting life science journeys and top their fields in several areas. Nordic collaboration within life sciences has also advanced over the years, with examples like the Nordic Trial Alliance, the work of the Nordic Consortium for Life Sciences, and the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Sweden’s initiative to strengthen Nordic competitiveness.

Today, the five Nordic countries together boast around 700-800 life science companies, with biotech and then medtech being the most prominent areas, a decent margin ahead of pharma companies. According to data from Citeline – a company providing pharmaceutical business intelligence – the Nordic biopharma segment contributes approximately EUR 30 billion in exports and EUR 14 billion in trade surplus. Sweden and Denmark lead the league, both in terms of number of companies and in trade.

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A positive decade for Nordic life science

Over the past ten years, the life science industry across the Nordics has shown tremendous growth. Despite some hiccups along the way caused by global upheavals, the region’s industry continues to trend upwards. Today, the five Nordic countries together boast around 700-800 life science companies, with biotech and then medtech being the most prominent areas, […]

Experience BIO-Europe and connect with delegates spanning the global life science ecosystem

The BIO-Europe 2024 program is built on the foundation of the Swedish approach: the openness to collaborate to advance innovation in the life science industry.


Stockholm 2024 marks 30 years of being at the forefront for initiating partnerships and the program takes you on a journey of the past 30 years of partnerships, deals and innovation and envisions the next 30 years to come.

Stockholm 2024 marks 30 years of being at the forefront for initiating partnerships.

BIO-Europe will host over 29,000 one-to-one meetings. Forge the connections that keep your business moving forward at BIO-Europe’s networking receptions held at some of the most incredible locations around Stockholm. The BIO-Europe program is designed to address the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in life science. Hear from industry experts as their share the insights that could inspire your next business move.