There is no science without talent

Medicon Valley, the life science cluster that spans the Greater Copenhagen region, is one of Europe’s most dynamic cross-border life science clusters. With more than 65,000 skilled workers, nine globally recognized universities, and several highly ranked hospitals, the foundation is strong. In the southern Swedish region of Skåne alone, 680 life science companies employ 7,400 professionals and contribute close to 27% of Sweden’s life science patents, despite only representing 13% of Sweden’s population. This density, innovation pipeline, and international outlook come together to make this cluster globally competitive.

Yet behind this success lies a growing concern: a shortage of specialized skills that risks slowing growth. The Skåne Life Science Barometer 2025 report, which we at Medicon Village published earlier this year, highlights this dual picture of strength and fragility. Skåne has a higher share of R&D-active firms than the Swedish average (36% versus 27%), but most are micro-companies with fewer than ten employees. These agile innovators face structural challenges in scaling and recruiting, with most in-demand positions being in market access, business development, regulatory affairs and quality assurance, and scientific and technical areas such as drug development. These are fields that are essential for turning scientific breakthroughs into products and treatments. Smaller firms rely heavily on consultants to fill gaps, underlining the uneven impact of the skills shortage.

Global shifts only add to the pressure. The impact on the industry, from swings linked to Novo Nordisk to the unpredictability of global geopolitics impacting trade and research, shows how quickly competitiveness can shift.

Global shifts only add to the pressure. The impact on the industry, from swings linked to Novo Nordisk to the unpredictability of global geopolitics impacting trade and research, shows how quickly competitiveness can shift. For Skåne, the challenge is particularly sharp: the region feels the fierce pull of the Danish life science market, where big pharma investments and a more globalized biotech scene are expanding rapidly. This dynamic has always been a two-sided reality for the Greater Copenhagen region, where collaboration and competition coexist within the same talent pool. On one hand, this fuels growth and strengthens the cluster’s profile; on the other, it intensifies the demand for international expertise. Attracting people is therefore not enough – they must see a future in the region. Integration programs, streamlined recruitment, and faster permit processes are essential if the region is to remain competitive. Meeting these challenges requires both national policy support and regional efforts.

One key initiative is the Cross-Border Talent Bridge (CTB) project, led by the City of Lund and co-funded by EU program Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak (ÖKS). Together with Medicon Village, Copenhagen Capacity, Medicon Valley Alliance, Ideon Science Park, OpenTech and City of Copenhagen, it aims to foster cross-border collaboration and strengthen the talent pipeline for both the life science and tech sectors, for the purpose of facilitating an integrated labor market. The ambition is not only to attract but to retain international expertise, positioning the Greater Copenhagen region as a long-term career destination. A key initiative within this project is the Career Day, a recurring event that attracts more than 180 job seekers within life science, delivering a program of expert insights, inspirational career talks, hands on CV and LinkedIn guidance, and vibrant networking opportunities that connect early career researchers directly with leading life science employers.

By facilitating professional networks in areas such as clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and pharmacovigilance, we enable specialists to exchange knowledge and update skills, creating a living system of lifelong learning.

At Medicon Village, we are further prioritizing innovation support around the 3 “C’s: Capital, Commercialization, and Competence, with the latter underscoring how life science expertise and skills are central to competitiveness. By facilitating professional networks in areas such as clinical trials, regulatory affairs, and pharmacovigilance, we enable specialists to exchange knowledge and update skills, creating a living system of lifelong learning. At the operational level, the newly launched operator training program in Malmö developed with Komvux Malmö, the South Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Medeon, and industry partners, addresses gaps in pharmaceutical and CDMO skills. These initiatives complement academic excellence with vocational competence, ensuring the full spectrum of skills is available from research bench to production line.

Inspiring the next generation is another priority. Medicon Village collaborates with schools and universities to provide coaching, mentoring, and career talks, making real-world career paths visible and creating professional connections. Such early engagement ensures a steady inflow of future scientists and engineers, strengthening the long-term talent pipeline.

Still, the challenge remains that smaller firms are disproportionately affected by recruitment hurdles, especially in international hiring, where administrative barriers can be discouraging.

This is why regional initiatives must be matched with national frameworks. Sweden’s national life science strategy rightly includes a focus on skills supply, talent attraction, and lifelong learning, but further steps are needed. Policymakers should support investments in talent and upskilling initiatives, expand STEM education pipelines, and reduce administrative hurdles for international recruitment. Without such measures, the region risks losing momentum in the global race for talent, if today’s competencies do not meet tomorrow’s demands. Life science is about people: scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students who turn research into outcomes that benefit human health and society.

Life science is about people: scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students who turn research into outcomes that benefit human health and society.

At Medicon Village we are ready to continue to play our part in strengthening the conditions for talent and competence development, but we cannot do this alone. The Greater Copenhagen region has the strength and international profile to lead, but the shortage of skills in both commercial and scientific fields remains a challenge. If regional initiatives such as the Cross-Border Talent Bridge project can become aligned with national strategies for education, recruitment, and lifelong learning, Sweden and Denmark will be far better placed to secure their positions as leading life science nations.