GöteborgBIO - Biomaterials/Cell Therapy, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Science Research Centre

The Göteborg region boasts a solid track record in developing blockbuster drugs. Losec/Prilosec is based on research performed at AstraZeneca in the Göteborg region. It was the single best selling pharmaceutical for a consecutive number of years. Its follower Nexium has already surpassed Losec/Prilosec in sales. Other examples include betablocker Seloken/Toprol, and hypertension treatment drug Plendil.

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Two of the most prominent research areas are biomaterials/cell therapy and cardiovascular and metabolic science. Göteborg region also holds spearhead research in other frontier biomedical fields and is home to prominent researchers and companies such as Astra Tech, Brånemark Integration, Cellartis, Cochlear (Entific), Integrum, Mölnlycke Health Care, Nobel Biocare, and Neurosearch (Carlsson Research).

MAKING DISCOVERIES A REALITY FOR PATIENTS

Swedish research emphasizes the necessity of being close to patients, and basic research activities are often integrated with clinical research. Clinical expertise available at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, the largest hospital in Northern Europe, with a catchment area of two million, is a major advantage.

BIOMATERIALS AND CELL THERAPY

Göteborg is one of the leading European centres within the fields of biomaterials and cell therapy. It has a long history of academic achievement and industrial implementation dating back to Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark´s breakthroughs in the 1960s, when he discovered titanium´s ability to integrate with bone tissue. These findings have led to a number of successful offspring companies within the medical device area, eg. dental implant companies Nobel Biocare and Astra Tech. Rickard Brånemark since has taken the principle of osseointegration one step further, in orthopaedic prostheses.

In recent years, research in cell therapy and biomaterials has converged in studies of cell surface reaction mechanisms. The regional strength in both areas is a considerable advantage. Göteborg´s knowledge base in cell function is also important for developing new advanced biomaterials and continued research in the interface area.

CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC SCIENCE

Göteborg region offers high potential for identifying new drug candidates and treatment methods within cardiovascular and metabolic science. The expertise found covers many areas of interest; metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetes type one and two, obesity, heart failure and ischemia. Research studies performed ranges from clinical studies to bioinformatics, molecular biology and mouse genetics.

Göteborg is home to pioneers such as Professor Finn Waagstein who revolutionized heart-failure treatment, and Björn Folkow, who in his research launched the expression "metabolic syndrome". European Union Framework Programme Diabesity is co-ordinated by Suzanne Dickson at Göteborg University.

HEADING FORWARD

Göteborg boasts a fine tradition of life science innovations, as well as many promising new development projects and companies. Please log on to our website to find out more.

GIBBS - GöTEBORG INTERNATIONAL BIOSCIENCE BUSINESS SCHOOL

A unique interdisciplinary master's programme has been launched in Göteborg, educating tomorrow's bio-entrepreneurs. At GIBBS, Göteborg International Bioscience Business School, the students are deeply involved in the commercialisation of real innovation projects. Some of these projects have been incorporated, eg Arterion, which manufactures small synthetic blood vessels.

BIOMEDICINE IN GöTEBORG IN NUMBERS:

• Hold 1% of market shares
• One Nobel Prize Laureate: Arvid Carlsson received the Nobel Prize for his research on dopamine
• Dental education at Göteborg University ranks 2 in the world
• 170 biomedicine companies
• 8,000 employees within life science; subcontractors and consulting firms employ approximately the same amount
• 60,000 students at Göteborg University and Chalmers University of Technology
• 3,500 full-time students in medicine and biotech
• 2,000,000 – is the catchment area for Sahlgrenska University Hospital, making it the largest one in Northern Europe