NEWS Umeå is a strong Life Science hub, aiming to become even sharper. Currently, two regional development projects are underway to strengthen innovation, utility, collaboration, and further develop the industry in Umeå and the field of health, care, and welfare across Norrbotten and Västerbotten.
Peter Jacobsson, Umeå Biotech Incubator and Mats Falck, Support Office for Life Science & Health.
Image Tomas RuuthThe European Union/the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth is investing a total of over 22 million SEK in two projects in Umeå aimed at Life Science. The two regional development projects, Support Office for Life Science & Health (SOLH) and Life Science City, both work to improve Life Science in Umeå. The projects have worked together with good results.
In February, the event "Open up for Innovation" was organized by Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) within the Life Science City project in collaboration with SOLH. The event fostered new collaborations and stimulated innovation by bringing together 100 representatives from the academia and industry.
- There's a real sense of collaboration between the projects, and it's exciting to see the investment in two new life science development projects in Umeå and the surrounding region. When you factor in co-financing, the total amount is more than doubled. This commitment will fuel progress on all fronts, concludes Peter Jacobsson, Operations Coordinator at UBI.
SOLH addresses the need for a more streamlined and unified innovation system within life sciences across northern Sweden. The project serves as your central access point for support in healthcare and welfare across Norrbotten and Västerbotten.
- An important purpose of SOLH is to identify needs and ideas that can be developed into innovations that are eventually implemented in operations. We target those who see a need in their operations, want to test and implement research results or ideas, and those looking for partners or project financing, says Mats Falck, Project Manager for SOLH.
- In addition to ongoing support for individual researchers and projects and participation in events such as the Baltic Sea Network or the regional cancer days, we have managed several activities. For example, we have arranged a workshop during the European Week of Cities and Regions in Brussels together with Lower Austria and initiated collaboration with Catalonia in mental health.
The project is funded by the EU Regional Fund/the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (with Region Västerbotten, and Region Norrbotten as co-funders) and will continue until fall 2026.
SOLH is a collaborative effort between Umeå University, Region Västerbotten, Region Norrbotten, Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University Holding, and the municipalities of Skellefteå and Umeå.
- We already possess a well-established collaborative foundation, and with these two projects combined, we, and hopefully the entire industry, will emerge even stronger," states Mats Falck.
The three-year regional development project Life Science City started in 2024 by UBI. Supported by the EU and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, this endeavor seeks to further propel Umeå's life science industry and foster innovation and collaboration. The long-term vision is to expand the sector's workforce from 1,200 to 2,000 by 2030.
- Umeå boasts significant expertise, yet remains relatively small on a national and international scale. At UBI, we firmly believe collaboration is paramount to the success of Life Science Umeå. Additionally, serving as a sounding board for Umeå municipality and Business Sweden in their efforts to attract external establishments is crucial, says Peter Jacobsson.
- With the new projects, we can stimulate development within Life Science, health, care, and welfare in Umeå, Norrbotten, and Västerbotten by utilizing each other's knowledge and further enhancing our collaborations, says Mats Falck at Umeå University's Innovation Office.
