That Human Touch – Health Innovation in (West) Sweden

Professor Ann-Marie Wennberg Larkö is a pioneer in Swedish healthcare and truly embodies the fusion of visionary leadership and compassionate care.

As the former CEO of Sahlgrenska University Hospital, she led one of Northern Europe’s largest hospitals through a transformative era—embracing digitalization, AI, and innovation while never losing sight of the human experience in care.

In this conversation, we dive into what it means to lead with heart in complex systems, the role of research and innovation in shaping tomorrow’s healthcare, and why collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical practice is the only way forward.

We also explore the importance of leadership with the right expertise, courage, and vision to implement change—especially in a system under financial and academic pressure.

Ann-Marie shares insights from her broad experience as a professor, physician, policy advisor, and changemaker—highlighting why West Sweden is a region to watch on the global health stage.

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of digital health—where data, AI, and groundbreaking technology are transforming patient care and medical research.

Jamie is joined by Jonathan Converse, Project Manager at Chalmers Industriteknik and Head of the Digital Health Arena in GoCo Health Innovation City.

Jonathan is at the forefront of data-driven innovation in life sciences, helping to shape the future of healthcare by bridging the gap between technology, industry, research and patients.

We’ll be discussing what the Digital Health Arena is, what the development plans are and why is it so important for the future of life sciences in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Europe?

We'll also explore how digital health is revolutionizing medicine, the biggest challenges and opportunities in this space, and what the future holds for AI, data, and patient-centric innovation.

So, whether you're a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, researcher, patient or just curious about the future of digital health—stay tuned for an insightful conversation with Jonathan Converse!

Learn more:

• Digital Health Arena
• Digital Health Beats

Producer & host: Jamie Smith

AV, creative & socials: Nils Björquist, Carl Jirestedt & Ella Smith

Moa Dicksdotter is the Community Manager at GoCo Health Innovation City. Moa is instrumental in fostering a vibrant and collaborative environment at GoCo, an exciting new hub for life science innovation.

With a strong focus on corporate relations and site activation, Moa ensures that researchers, industry professionals and academics can come together to collaborate and drive forward-thinking solutions that meet future health challenges.

She works diligently on social structures and marketing communications to enhance the attractiveness and functionality of the GoCo ecosystem.

Jamie spoke with Moa at the recent GoCo Open House at GoCo Health Innovation City about her insights and experiences in building this unique innovation community.

Björn Wikhamn was our first drop-in pod guest at the recent GoCo Open House at GoCo Health Innovation City.

Björn is a professor of management and organization at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. His research interests primarily lie in the organization of innovation processes across organizational boundaries.

In this "no-planning-no-preparation" interview, Björn talked with Jamie about subjects including the criteria needed for successful innovation environments, AstraZeneca's BioVentureHub as a pioneering example of open innovation and whether or not innovation professors get to be innovative themselves.

Björn is also academically responsible for Matix – Management of Growth, a master's course in Business Administration focused on innovation, strategy, business development, change management, and sustainable leadership.

In this episode, we delve into the cutting-edge of life sciences with a special focus on Business Region Göteborg's seven life science trends 2024.

Joining Jamie are Iris Öhrn and Christian Borg from Business Region Göteborg, and Petter Björquist, CEO of Verigraft.

Together, we'll explore the context for the development ofthe seven key trends, how they are being applied and how they are shaping the future of healthcare not only in Gothenburg, but also globally.

We also discuss the development of the life science sectorin the region.

Links

• Seven life science trends 2024
• Sju life science-trender 2024

Jeanette Edblad is Head of the Swedish Government’s Life Science Office. She is at the forefront of updating the national life science strategy for Sweden, aimed at addressing current challenges and setting the path for future innovations in life science.

Jeanette joins us on the line from the Government Offices in Sweden to discuss:

• Progress on the updated life science strategy,
• Reflections on her recent visit to Gothenburg.
• How West Sweden can contribute to the success of the life science strategy

In this special episode, Jamie is joined by Sandra Carrasco Limeros, Sara Sanchez-Heredero Martínez and Martin Priessner – the dynamic trio that came up with the idea for the HackHERHealth femtech hackathon.

Hailing from Spain and Austria and now based in Gothenburg, these three AstraZeneca talents bring a unique blend of passion for technology, life science, and gender equality. They're the brains behind the hackathon that aims to develop solutions to bridge the gender health gap.

HackHERHealth, co-hosted by Health Innovation West, kicks off with an inspiring launch and panel discussion on March 8, International Women's Day, at GoCo Health Innovation, which is also celebrating Women's Empowerment Week.

The main hackathon event will unfold from April 12-14 at GoCo and Sahlgrenska Science Park, culminating in a rewarding awards ceremony at Sahlgrenska Science Park on April 19.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of a transformative movement in women's health. Register now at hackherhealth.tech and join us in pioneering the future of femtech.

More details: healthinnovationwest.se/hackherhealth

Sign up: hackherhealth.tech

Dr. Mikael Kubista is a globally renowned figure in the world of molecular diagnostics and biotechnology. He's a pioneer in real time quantitative PCR - that's polymerase chain reaction, a revolutionary technique that has transformed our understanding of molecular biology.

But not only is Dr. Kubista a leading scientist, he's also an entrepreneur, having founded several successful biotech companies. His ventures have been instrumental in bringing cutting edge scientific discoveries from the lab bench to practical applications in healthcare and research.

In 2001, Michael co-founded Tataa Biocenter as a spinoff from Chalmers University of Technology, at Sahlgrenska Science Park in Gothenburg. Last year, after 22 years, Mikael suddenly, and surprisingly to many, left Tataa Biocenter.

As reported in a recent article in the trade publication, Life Science Sweden, it seems that Mikael was fired, lost all of his ownership in the company and was accused of intentionally trying to act detrimentally to the new ownership of the company.

A complicated takeover that raises ethical and business concerns, as well as important learnings for other entrepreneurs who are thinking about bringing external investments to grow their company.

In this episode of the podcast, Mikael discusses strategies for attracting external investments, navigating innovations in healthcare systems, and updates on his journey post-Tataa Biocenter. He also reflects on the life science ecosystem in West Sweden and beyond. Don't miss these expert insights!

Boubou Hallberg is the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer for Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

He has a background as a pediatric and neonatal doctor and researcher, as well as long experience of healthcare leadership.

In this episode, we cover topics including:

• the exciting challenges of healthcare transformation
• the ambition for Sahlgrenska to be Europe's leading university hospital by 2032
• reconciling short-term financial constraints with the long-term vision
• Boubou's background & leadership style
• the importance of innovation in healthcare
• collaboration between healthcare, academia and industry
• the life science cluster in West Sweden
• what it takes to impress Boubou 

00:00 to 43:25 - Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are at the forefront of global scientific innovation in healthcare. Kristina Levan is a project manager in Region Västra Götaland with a special focus on precision medicine and ATMPs both on national and regional levels in Sweden. Kristina shares her perspectives on the opportunities & challenges to bring ATMPs to the patients that need them. She also provides insights into leading collaborations between the health sector, industry & academia.

43:25 to 1:01:37 - Mia Ekdahl from AstraZeneca’s HealthWorks and Jenny Almkvist, who works with Regional Development for Life Science at Region Västra Götaland, join Jamie Smith for a discussion on what's hot and cooking in life science in West Sweden!

Maggie Holme is Assistant Professor, Chemical Biology at Chalmers University of Technology. A native of Scotland, Maggie has lived, studied and worked in numerous countries before settling in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Besides leading her lab at Chalmers studying nanoparticles formulated from lipids, Maggie has been a driving force behind the FormulaEx project; a Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) funded industrial research centre for functional RNA delivery.

In this episode, Maggie describes the journey that brought her to West Sweden. She provides insights into working on a national life science initiative spanning three academic partners collaborating closely with four industry partners; as well as her perspective on next generation nucleotide drugs.

The episode also includes special BOnus material featuring Bo Norrman, Innovation Adviser at Chalmers University of Technology, who provides his knowledgeable perspective on health innovation and life science in West Sweden.

www.healthinnovationwest.se

In this first episode, Matti Ahlqvist, Executive Director for AstraZeneca Gothenburg, shares his perspective on why the health innovation ecosystem in West Sweden is a cool place to be right now.

Matti highlights some of the exciting investments and initiatives ongoing in the region and explains how and why collaboration is important to AstraZeneca.

Other topics include the future of healthcare; why talent, investors and entrepreneurs should choose West Sweden; as well as insights into Matti's leadership style and his "non-average" working days.