Meetings That Shape the Future: Flemingsberg Science at Almedalen

In June this year, the foundation took part in the annual Almedalen Week, the world’s largest democratic meeting place for everyone who wants to join the discussions on current societal issues. This year, we had a special focus on Life Science, an area and cluster that has long been a natural part of Flemingsberg, and which is now growing stronger than ever.

By acting as a bridge between academia, business, and society, the foundation participates in Almedalen Week to create meeting places, contribute to debates, and bring together the right actors who can jointly influence and drive development in Flemingsberg. This year, our participation centered on Life Science – a rapidly expanding cluster of innovative companies, research, and academia that strengthens the Stockholm region’s position both nationally and internationally.

“Life Science is one of Sweden’s most important industries, and in the Stockholm–Uppsala region there are 1,500 companies and nearly 30,000 jobs. Region Stockholm and Region Uppsala aim to strengthen the region’s expertise, capacity, and competitiveness within the life science sector across both counties, and the activities in Flemingsberg play an important role in this development. This year we hosted, among other things, a roundtable discussion where we had the chance to discuss exactly this, exchange experiences from other regions, and take part in the valuable knowledge they could contribute.” – Pernilla Boström, COO, Flemingsberg Science Foundation.

Our focus on Life Science at Almedalen this year was no coincidence. Earlier this year, we launched an ERDF project, aimed at strengthening the growth and establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises in the life science sector in the Stockholm region. Our Cluster Manager, Natasha Bank, shares more about her impressions and key takeaways from Almedalen.

“Almedalen has been incredibly rewarding for me this year. Many interesting conversations, lessons, and a lot of energy to take on the Life Science Cluster Flemingsberg project. But the most memorable moment of the week was the handshake between the Director of Research and Innovation at Region Stockholm and the CEO of Medicon Valley Alliance on stage, where they promised to engage in a concrete collaboration moving forward.” – Natasha Bank, Cluster Manager, Flemingsberg Science Foundation.

Almedalen Week once again delivered, filled with intense conversations, new insights, and unexpected encounters. From being proud co-organizers of the panel discussion “Infections in a New World Order with Hybrid Warfare” to discussions on how to build strong life science clusters. Together with other stakeholders, we put Flemingsberg on the map as a key player for southern Stockholm and highlighted how the Stockholm–Uppsala region can grow into a world-leading cluster and attract more investment in ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). Along the way, we also took part as co-organizers in SISP innovation mingle, and workshops – always with the goal of fostering more collaboration and development.