Antaros Medical is a Swedish company delivering imaging solutions for clinical trials to provide their clients with key insights into their drug development programmes. With their global clientele ranging from smaller pharma biotechs to industry giants in Big Pharma, Antaros Medical delivers advanced imaging solutions that few others can offer.

Kerstin Heurling, an engineer with a PhD in medicine, shares her insights and opinions on several exciting developments currently unfolding within the life sciences. For example, she notes a shift towards more efficient clinical trial practices with adaptive science. Driven by a history where mistakes within the field motivated stricter regulations, which in turn made the processes incredibly inefficient, adaptive science characterized by flexible structures without compromising data integrity is emerging as a methodology for these practices. Additionally, she highlights the continued growing interest in the metabolic field and the exploration of novel treatments, such as the repurposing of diabetes medication for obesity. This means that many are now working on improving treatments as well as expanding areas for treatments. Imaging can play a big role in digging deeper into these medications. Another field where imaging can have an important role is the field of gene therapy which is brimming with potential, promising groundbreaking advancements in the near future.

- We really look forward to supporting the area of gene therapy with our expertise at Antaros Medical; that’s where we can contribute our piece of the puzzle, says Heurling.

Looking ahead five years, Heurling envisions a life science industry where clinical imaging trials have become more common, not the least within the metabolic field. With many new treatments underway it will be important to investigate different organ effects as well as to understand how treatments work in different patient populations. Here, tools like imaging will support the field with key answers around the effects of these drugs.

- Historically, treatment has focused on symptom relief. However, now and moving forward, there is a shift happening towards curing rather than treating, opening up new avenues for the pharmaceutical industry and the patients, states Heurling. One area where the research interest is high is fibrosis, the common end stage of many diseases. We can support the development of anti-fibrotic treatment with imaging as a biomarker to assess the level of fibrosis before and after treatment in clinical trials. 

For all these developments within life science to move forward, there is and must be a collaborative process. Heurling emphasizes the critical importance of collaboration within the work of Antaros Medical, where partnerships extend to universities and pharmaceutical companies in the development of cutting-edge imaging techniques.

- One notable collaboration we are working on revolves around advanced renal imaging, where we are one of the few in the world to perform this in clinical trials. This project was started together withAstraZeneca and researchers from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, explains Heurling.

Similarly, these types of collaborations have been done within other areas such as liver diseases.

- These collaborations are vital in understanding different diseases and how imaging can play a part in supporting novel treatments to the patients, continues Heurling.

While collaboration remains pivotal, Heurling acknowledges challenges in knowledge sharing within the industry, urging greater openness and cooperation among stakeholders.

- We as an industry should be open to collaborate and share knowledge. I believe that we could then be more open with each other, and all parties could still benefit from the collaboration from their different points of view and expertise, explains Heurling.

At Antaros Medical, they work with many biotech start-ups in America and would like to see the Swedish ones having the same opportunities. She sees potential for Antaros Medical to collaborate and support these businesses by serving as a bridge, connecting key opinion leaders with burgeoning biotech companies, which in turn would drive biotech innovation forward.

Antaros Medical’s collaborative mindset and work process makes them an important contributor to the GoCo community. To Heurling, GoCo Health Innovation City stands out for its unique blend of resources, with a strong presence of industry giants like AstraZeneca and Mölnlycke Health Care, alongside esteemed academic institutions like Sahlgrenska University Hospital. GoCo represents more than just a location — it is a vibrant hub with opportunities for collaboration, recruitment, and growth. Heurling anticipates the area to continue growing into a thriving ecosystem where partnerships flourish, innovation happens, and a dynamic, supportive community is being fostered.

- To me, GoCo is characterized by collaboration, growth, and an inspiring culture and environment that positively impacts our work, concludes Heurling. 


Kerstin Heurling

Antaros Medical's Kerstin Heurling: Driving Innovation in Clinical Imaging

Chalmers and RISE are the leading actors in this project of establishing the food sector at GoCo Health Innovation City. This is achieved by leveraging two ongoing projects involving multiple stakeholders in the food sector. The first project, SWITCH, is an EU-funded initiative bringing together 21 partners from eight different countries to establish six food hubs over Europe, one of which will be located at GoCo Health Innovation City in Västra Götaland. SWITCH aims to promote a more sustainable and healthy diet among citizens. The second project is the national collaboration project called Fullkornsfrämjandet, which seeks to increase whole grain consumption among the country's residents.

- We have the opportunity to quickly get started by leveraging synergies between the EU-funded project SWITCH and the national Fullkornsfrämjandet, along with the many food sector actors involved. This regional initiative will both open up the environment at GoCo to more food sector actors and contribute to strengthening research focused on food and nutrition, says Rikard Landberg, Professor of Food Science at Chalmers.

GoCo Health Innovation City is a neighborhood integrating laboratories, research facilities, offices, residences, and elderly care with a focus on health innovation. Already, there are over 70 different life science actors present, including surgical clinics, diagnostic centers, and companies in bio- and medical technology. Additionally, the establishment of a new initiative with laboratories for advanced therapies and a center for physical activity, GoCo Active Lab, has recently commenced.

- This investment in sustainable and healthy food is incredibly important for both the region and us at GoCo Health Innovation City. We have long been looking at how to incorporate the food sector into our life science cluster, and this project aligns perfectly with the collaborative work we and all companies at GoCo are engaged in, says Marie Uddenmyr, Director of Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

- This is a crucial piece in the innovation environment being developed at GoCo, where the established life science cluster is strengthened through this initiative on health and food. With preventive health work, there are significant benefits in contributing to a well-being population and reducing society's healthcare costs caused by diet-related diseases, adds Madeleine Jonsson, Chairperson of the Environment and Regional Development Committee, VGR.

Given that dietary habits and health are strongly linked to socioeconomic factors, part of the project's efforts will focus on addressing inequalities in access to and opportunities for a healthy diet. Through co-financing from VGR, companies will have the opportunity to test and evaluate specific products and concepts for different societal groups.

- We hope to become a natural entry point for more food sector actors wishing to establish themselves in the GoCo environment. This initiative is a first step in strengthening collaboration between the life science and food sectors related to health innovations, preventive health, nutrition, and healthcare, says Maria Björklund Helgesson, researcher and project manager at RISE.

In conclusion, the investment in sustainable and healthy food at GoCo Health Innovation City marks an important step towards promoting collaboration between different sectors and contributing to a more sustainable and healthy future for the Västra Götaland Region and Sweden as a whole.

GoCoHouse_SemrenMånsson

8 million SEK investment in sustainable and healthy food at GoCo Health Innovation City

Background: 
Women's health receives only 4% of the total funding allocated to research and development for healthcare products and services, despite women constituting nearly 50% of the world's population and workforce. Historically, medical sciences have treated men and women as interchangeable subjects, with a disproportionate emphasis on male-centric studies. This approach not only hinders women but has broader societal implications.

Current research often adopts a narrow focus, primarily centered around reproductive organs and breast cancer—the so-called "bikini approach." While crucial, this approach overlooks numerous areas where women exhibit higher prevalence but receive inadequate study and understanding. The funding gap extends beyond female-specific conditions to include instances where women are disproportionately affected. Statistics reveal stark disparities, with women being three times more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases, twice as prone to depression and anxiety, and 1.5 times more susceptible to Alzheimer's, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Recognizing fundamental differences in drug metabolism between men and women underscores the critical need for increased female representation in clinical trials. Analysis of federal spending in the US reveals a significant imbalance, with twice as much funding directed towards diseases primarily affecting men. Alarmingly, only 4.5% of funding for coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death in women, is allocated to female-specific research.

Women, shown to play a pivotal role in global economic development, require equal opportunities, starting with their health, to continue driving progress. Empowering women can uplift entire families and communities out of poverty. A modest shift in funding towards women's health research could yield substantial returns. For instance, doubling the National Health Institute's budget for coronary artery disease research in women could result in a staggering return on investment of 9,500%, while a similar increase in funding for rheumatoid arthritis research could deliver a remarkable ROI of 174,000%.

Investing in women's health not only ensures their well-being but also stands as a strategic economic decision with vast potential benefits.



Method:
With these figures and information in mind, a collaborative meeting between industry and academia was held at GoCo Innovation City to explore the potential and to identify "the unexplored wealth in women’s health."

The meeting focused on 4 key topics within the field, which included:

1. Birth Related Injuries
Studies show that 20% of all women will require surgery at some point in life as a result of an injury sustained by childbirth. These injuries include urological disorders, anal prolapse, and pelvic floor dysfunction, to name a few.
-	Maria Gyhagen from University of Gothenburg

2. Best practices for cesareans & how to improve the intervention for women
Taking a clinical focus on best practices for cesareans and how to improve the overall experience for women.
-	Linda Mårlind & Linda Sångberg from Mölnlycke Health Care 

3. Precision medicine and the potential for Women’s Health
Focusing on how precision medicine is a fundamental shift in how we think about medicine and biomedical research, and how it moves us away from the standard patient to taking into account interindividual differences and biopsychosocial contexts, which is crucial to further develop healthcare for women.
-	Annikka Polster from Cahlmers 

4. MedTech with a focus on the importance of FemTech
Focus on the strategic innovation program Medtech4Health, how they work with Femtech, and why FemTech is important.
-	Avesta Stakholm from Medtech4health

Following the introduction of each topic, a meeting concept called Open Space was used to facilitate discussions between the participating audience and speakers to establish the questions and potential areas that we would like to see addressed. A fifth topic area titled “Wild Card” was added to the mix, and the audience were invited to partake in creating the agenda. The following agenda points were suggested and discussed:

Cards Method


Results:
In this section, we delve into the outcomes emerging from the Open Space discussions held across the various agenda points. These results not only shed light on the existing challenges but also offer insightful recommendations for enhancement and improvement within the discussed domains.

1. Birth Related Injuries
“How can settings of the birth be improved to limit birth-related injuries?”

In the realm of maternity care, the option of home birth presents both advantages and drawbacks. Advocates of home birth appreciate the personalized environment and reduced medical interventions, fostering a sense of empowerment for the mother. However, concerns about emergency preparedness and the potential for complications underscore the need for careful consideration.

1. Birth Related Injuries
“How do we empower the woman to make informed decisions before delivery?”


To enable women to make well-informed choices about their birthing experiences, there is a growing call for increased access to clinically approved information. Platforms like 1177 could play a crucial role in delivering reliable resources, allowing expectant mothers to navigate the plethora of options available and make decisions aligned with their preferences and health needs.

Crucially, there is a collective push to shift the focus towards maternal health not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. Enhancing post-birth care is seen as paramount, emphasizing the physical and mental well-being of the mother. An essential aspect of empowering women in their birthing experience lies in prioritizing childbirth autonomy. This involves cultivating an environment that promotes informed decision-making, ensuring that women have access to unbiased information. By doing so, the goal is to empower expectant mothers to actively participate in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of control over their childbirth experience. In summary, the evolving landscape of maternity care seeks to strike a balance between the advantages and challenges of vaginal vs cesarian childbirth, providing women with a wealth of clinically approved information through platforms like 1177, so that they can be the decider of the outcome. The overarching goal is to enhance the focus on maternal health, both during and after birth, while championing childbirth autonomy through informed decision-making and unbiased information.

2. Best Practices for Cesareans & How to Improve the Intervention for Women

Navigating the intricacies of maternal healthcare involves striking a delicate balance between cost considerations and individual choices. The imperative need for tailored risk assessment tools, with a particular emphasis on genotypes, to enhance precision and personalized care is recognized. Additionally, addressing the healthcare landscape from a patient-centric perspective calls for the establishment of protocols that specifically incorporate the unique needs of women, ensuring a holistic and individualized approach to healthcare.

3. Precision Medicine and the Potential for Women’s Health

To increase the engagement of underrepresented groups of women in studies, there is a call for demanding gender perspectives, emphasizing the importance of women's participation through increased information sharing and conducting thorough risk assessments related to women's health before study initiation. Additionally, advocating for the capture of more comprehensive data about women's bodies, potentially leveraging historical information from military service, and pushing for legislation requiring equal representation of women, both in testing before new medical launches and across all studies, aim to address gender disparities in research.

4. MedTech with a Focus on the Importance of FemTech
“How can we empower more women to be entrepreneurs?”

To promote female entrepreneurship, fostering an inclusive study and work culture is crucial, alongside a shift in leadership dynamics. Offering entrepreneurship courses in diverse fields, targeted at students in technology and nature programs, can broaden the entrepreneurial landscape. Elevating the visibility of women in the media and academia, along with establishing women-focused incubators attuned to various life phases, addresses unique needs such as pregnancy or menopause. Facilitating two-way mentorship, where experienced male entrepreneurs guide aspiring women entrepreneurs, creates a supportive ecosystem. Streamlining application processes for research grants by eliminating gender bias ensures fair opportunities for female entrepreneurs. Increased financial support for knowledgeable entrepreneurs and a commitment to women supporting each other further fortify the foundation for female entrepreneurship.

4. MedTech with a Focus on the Importance of FemTech 
“How Do We Triage Women in the ER and Not Just Generally Triage ‘Like Men’?”

Leveraging the collection of data on women's health-related visits to the emergency room holds immense potential for enhancing triage processes. Analyzing this data can provide valuable insights into the unique patterns and needs associated with women's health emergencies, allowing for more informed and tailored triage decisions. By harnessing this information, healthcare systems can optimize resource allocation, improve response times, and ultimately elevate the quality of care provided to women in emergency situations.

5. Wild Card 
“How Do We Get More Men in the Room?”

Encouraging more men to engage in discussions about women's health involves destigmatizing the topic, ensuring it is inclusive and not exclusive to women, and highlighting the socio-economic benefits connected to improved health outcomes. Efforts should focus on making conversations easier and more open, expanding the narrative beyond a women's club to encompass the broader future of health. Featuring a high-profile male spokesperson or role model can help shift perceptions, emphasizing that women's health is a concern for everyone. Using inclusive language that emphasizes the significance of women's health for 50% of the population and even proposing a new Nobel Prize dedicated to women's health can further promote dialogue and awareness.

5. Wild Card
“How Do We Get Media to Really Write About This Topic?”

Effectively garnering media attention on the topic involves several strategies. First, involving celebrities and sports figures can amplify the visibility and importance of the subject. Second, presenting data-driven facts that explicitly highlight gender inequalities in women's health captures attention and bolsters the credibility of the narrative. Third, exploring and disseminating information from the National Action Plan (National Handlingsplan) 2030 can provide a comprehensive overview of initiatives and goals related to women's health. Lastly, encouraging an open dialogue by daring to ask questions can stimulate media interest and foster a more informed and engaged public conversation on this critical issue.

5. Wild Card
“How Do We Make the Workplace/Schools Places Where You Can Live Through Menopause/Menstruation?”


Creating workplaces and schools that accommodate menopause and menstruation involves a multifaceted approach. First, incorporating women's health into mandatory manager training programs ensures that leaders are equipped to understand and support the needs of their female employees. Encouraging open communication by daring to ask questions and providing more education to Human Resources further promotes a supportive environment. Additionally, making period products visible to both men and women helps normalize the conversation around menstruation. Education initiatives targeted at young people, especially boys, through school programs and social media, can break down stigmas and foster understanding about women's health. Finally, empowering girls from an early age to openly discuss and express their feelings and concerns about their bodies cultivates a culture of openness and inclusivity.
5. Wild Card 
“How Do We Create and Gain Funding for a Women’s Health-Specific Research Center?”

Establishing and securing funding for a women's health-specific research center involves strategic initiatives. Firstly, organizing networking events tailored for women can build a supportive community and attract potential donors or collaborators. The creation of a Think Tank specifically for women provides a platform for innovative ideas and collaboration within the field of women's health research. To gain funding, integrating a women's health research focus at a reputable institution like GoCo can lend credibility and provide a foundation for financial support. Additionally, a targeted initiative such as GoCo Active, focusing on women's sports, not only aligns with health research but can also attract sponsors and partners interested in supporting initiatives that promote women's well-being. Combining these approaches forms a comprehensive strategy for both creating and funding a dedicated women's health research center.

Actions

Report presentation: The Unexplored Wealth in Women’s Health

Report

Report on The Unexplored Wealth in Women’s Health

The positive shift in women's representation on boards (from 17% to 21%) and as CEOs (from 10% to 14%) between 2013 and 2023 signifies progress. This shows things are getting better. But is it happening fast enough? Some say we should prioritize and make changes quickly, while others say it's not that simple. Did you know that even though women make up half the world's population, only 4% of research funding goes to women's health? 

Our commitment is a call to action- participate in the sessions to talk about challenges, inspire change, and establish a space where women's contributions are valued. Scheduled in honor of International Women's Day, our week-long program takes place from the 4th to 8th of March and aims to foster community, empower change, and build a strong network among professionals in the life science industry. 

Program Highlights 
GoCo Talk x Caroline Farberger
Keynote speaker sessions with Caroline Farberger. A full session focused on women in business and how to shatter glass ceilings.

The Unexplored Wealth in Women's Health
A follow-up meeting session to talk about the results from the collaborative open space meeting at GoCo on October 26, 2023 on the subject The Unexplored Wealth in Women's Health. Investing in women's health not only ensures their well-being but also represents a strategic economic decision with vast potential benefits. The funding gap affects women beyond female-specific conditions, leading to significant disparities.

GoCo Talk x Inspirational Voices 
Renowned leaders in life science will share their personal and professional journeys. Their experiences will highlight diverse career paths within life science to inspire and boost dialogue.

Networking
Opportunities for meaningful connections will be fostered through networking luncheons and fika sessions encouraging collaboration and mentorship within the community.

Hack Her Health 
The official launch and panel discussion of Hack HER Health, a femtech innovation hackathon with registration opening soon, aiming to close the gender health gap and boost life science awareness.

This is not women’s only
We extend a special invitation to men to become an integral part of these emerging conversations. The Women's Empowerment Week provides an opportunity for all individuals, regardless of gender, to come together, learn, and contribute to building an inclusive environment.

 
Event Details
Dates: Full week of activities from 4th to 8th of march

Location: GoCo Health Innovation City, GoCo House 

Open to: All employees, stakeholders, and external partners

Remember to Register
To take part in this exciting content, remember to register at www.goco.se/events. Secure your spot to connect, learn, and celebrate with us during the Women's Empowerment Week. 

About GoCo Health Innovation City
GoCo Health Innovation City is a leading hub for healthcare innovation, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Women's Empowerment Week aligns with our dedication to promoting gender equality and recognizing the valuable contributions of women in the life science sector. The program is powered by Founding Partners; Wellspect Health Care, Mölnlycke Healthcare, AstraZeneca, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Chalmers University of Technology, and Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg.


Women's week

GoCo Health Innovation City Hosts Women's Empowerment Week

The opening of Olssons Mat has for a long time been the goal of their strong commitment to serving the community with high quality food and remarkable service. As a well appreciated neighborhood establishment, Olssons Mat views themselves as a 'kvarterskrog’ offering an inviting atmosphere and a great menu as well as catering and cooking courses.

-	We are delighted to be a part of the GoCo journey and to open our new restaurant at GoCo Health Innovation City, comments Henrik Olsson at Olssons Mat. This is a big milestone for us, and we are eager to continue serving our customers with the same dedication that has defined us for the past few years.

Olssons Mat is first to locate in the newly established building GoCo Care, joining a diverse range of organizations dedicated to promoting health and well-being. Their presence further enriches the culture in the city centre of GoCo, alongside recent additions such as Norlandia, a leader in elderly care.

-	We are incredibly excited to welcome Olssons Mat into their new restaurant space and look forward to seeing their food adding value to the experience of GoCo Health Innovation City, whether it’s for the people living here, working here or just visiting, comments Marie Uddenmyr, Director Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City. 


As Olssons Mat embarks on this new chapter, their dedication to quality and community promises to make a significant impact within GoCo Health Innovation City. 




Olssons Mat is now open for customers in GoCo Care on Entreprenörsstråket 1D, 431 53 Mölndal. For more information on their food and offerings, visit www.olssonsmat.se.


Olssons Mat

Olssons Mat opens new restaurant at GoCo Health Innovation City

- We see that the future in urban development involves combination buildings. GoCo Active Lab is a fusion of modern lab spaces, future training, and conference environments, where we offer food experiences and meeting places for the industry where ideas and knowledge can be exchanged, says Jacob Torell, CEO of GoCo Health Innovation City, which with the new establishment physically connects to AstraZeneca's research facility.

- It feels very pleasing for us that the next major step is now being taken to further strengthen Sweden's life science cluster and increase our competitiveness. That GoCo Health Innovation City is getting closer to AstraZeneca means that together we improve the conditions for innovative collaborations that can lead to future treatments and medicines, says Anders Holmén, VP Head Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca.

GoCo Active Lab's state-of-the-art laboratories will be the base for CCRM Nordic, a national center focusing on the development and production of advanced medicines that provide groundbreaking opportunities for the treatment of diseases that have not been cured so far. CCRM Nordic is a non-for-profit company backed by an industry consortium consisting of AstraZeneca, CombiGene, Cytiva, Getinge, GoCo Health Innovation City, Takara Bio Europe, BICO, Verigraft and CCRM Canada. The building will also be a research arena for several major players such as Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg.

- In Western Sweden, there is a very strong collaboration between healthcare, academia and business. Sahlgrenska University Hospital is the best in the country in clinical research according to the Swedish Research Council's evaluation and a given partner to GoCo and other actors in the life science area. We work together with relevant partners for a health-promoting, preventive and proactive approach where the individual can be a co-creator in their own care and health. Close collaboration is key to achieving our goal of becoming Europe's leading university hospital, says Boubou Hallberg, Hospital Director at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

- This is an exciting and important investment. We look forward to even better conditions for research and innovation in preventive health and advanced therapies, but also see opportunities for our students. With the investment, we strengthen life science in the region, says Professor Jenny Nyström, Dean at Sahlgrenska Academy, the medical faculty at the University of Gothenburg.

The second part of the center consists of the Active concept where new findings in sports medicine, mental health and nutrition are combined with resources for training and rehab for both elite athletes and the general public. A key person in the investment is the hockey legend Henrik Lundquist, who is one of the owners. The goal is to contribute to better public health by creating bridges between elite, general sports and the latest research.

Mats Börjesson, cardiologist, national team doctor for the Swedish women's national football team and professor of sports physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, is also involved in this part.

- Collecting existing competence from us at Sahlgrenska Academy, the rest of the university, Chalmers and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, sports and business in one place will provide fantastic opportunities for both collaboration and new research. This will benefit both sports and public health, says Mats Börjesson.

Collaboration across borders is the core of the entire GoCo Health Innovation City, and the current GoCo Active Lab is a clear example of the triple helix model as a lever for innovation in Swedish life science. The interaction between the public sector, business and academia is key to solving complex health challenges and attracting cutting-edge expertise for world-leading research and development in Sweden.

- Chalmers sees unique opportunities to combine cutting-edge research and disruptive commercialization at GoCo. For example, Chalmers Precision HealthTech Hub will be able to grow in close interaction with, among others, Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Astra Zeneca, the CCRM initiative and startups, says Mats Lundquist, vice rector at Chalmers.

The multi-facility GoCo Active Lab is designed by the world-leading American architectural firm SHoP, which among other things has designed the headquarters for Google and YouTube.

- We are very proud and pleased that we get to move into a building that meets our needs for advanced labs and at the same time provides us with an opportunity for collaboration, innovation and focus on people's health. This is completely in line with what we stand for and gives us the right conditions for successfully contributing to the development of future drugs, says Fredrik Wessberg, CEO of CCRM Nordic.

Parallel to the development of GoCo Active Lab, the district is growing rapidly with more operations. Already today, over 70 actors have moved in. Among these are the diagnostic company Fujirebio Diagnostics, the medtech company Xvivo Perfusion, the specialist clinic Atleva for hand and foot surgery, the research-oriented elderly home Norlandia, the women's clinic Akleja and the biotech company Ribocure - and at the beginning of 2025, Mölnlycke Healthcare will move its headquarters to the site.

- We love collaborations and welcome more researchers and innovative companies that contribute to making Sweden a global benchmark for future medical research and healthcare, says Marie Uddenmyr, Director Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

GoCo Active Lab

New milestone for  world-class Swedish life science cluster

Divided into six different categories, the competition features the top 18 construction projects in Sweden completed in 2023, contending for the title of Building of the Year 2024. The winner will be announced on March 19 and streamed on byggindustrin.se.

The construction industry's leading news outlet, Byggindustrin, summarizes the project in its nomination article:
Just south of the pharmaceutical giant Astra Zeneca's research facility in Mölndal outside of Gothenburg, the life science cluster GoCo Health Innovation City is taking shape. The 21,000 square meter signature building, GoCo House, is intended to be the heart of the area, featuring offices, labs, co-working spaces, a restaurant, and conference facilities. The building's appearance is reminiscent of boxes of various sizes stacked on top of each other, a design justified by the architecture firm Semrén & Månsson as a way to "visualize the non-static and ever-changing nature that characterizes both research and life in general."

"We worked extremely close with our contractor, using a turnkey contract in partnership that started from the very early stages – from initial estimates and throughout the entire process. The contractor and the client worked as one team, which was a key factor in our success. That's why we were able to meet deadlines and stay within budget. We couldn't have maintained the pace we had without the collaboration. We are extremely satisfied with the working process with our contractor," says Anna Eckerstig, Director of Real Estate Development at GoCo Health Innovation City. 


Read the full nomination article about GoCo House on Byggindustrin's website: https://www.byggindustrin.se/byggprojekt/arets-bygge/goco-house-ar-navet-i-vastsveriges-life-science-stadsdel/


Contractor: BRA Bygg
Client: GoCo Health Innovation City
Tenants: Currently, over 50 companies, including Afry, Volvo Cars, Mölnlycke Health Care, Siemens Healthineers
Architect: Semrén & Månsson Architects
Contract Form: Turnkey contract in partnership
Total Cost: SEK 700 million


About Building of the Year:

Building of the Year is the most prestigious award in the construction sector, focusing on the fantastic projects built in Sweden each year. A total of 18 projects completed in 2023 are nominated, divided into six categories – residences, hotels and offices, infrastructure, industrial/logistics/retail, community properties, and renovation – with one winner in each category, as well as an overall winner. Like previous years, all projects are evaluated based on five criteria: working environment, sustainability, time/quality/budget, technology/innovation, and collaboration.

Building of the Year is organized by Byggindustrin and Construction Summit – the new meeting place for the construction industry. The winners will be announced on March 19 at Construction Summit, Sergel Hub in Stockholm. The award ceremony will be streamed on byggindustrin.se.


Building of the Year Jury:
Björn Rundström, editor-in-chief, Fastighetsnytt and Byggindustrin
Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd, CEO, Byggföretagen
Kajsa Hessel, CEO, Svensk Byggtjänst
Tobias Olsson, executive director, Sveriges Arkitekter
Anders Holmestig, CEO, Fastighetsägarna Sverige
Nima Assadi, consultant in urban development and business development, Podcast: Hela kedjan

GoCo House

GoCo House Nominated for Building of the Year 2024

Mitochondria are the energy sources for our cells and when there is dysfunction in the mitochondria it results in various devastating diseases such as MELAS, NARP, and Leigh syndrome that can affect everything from the muscles to brain function, heart function, liver function, etc. Many of these diseases, which are genetically determined, begin in early childhood and are often fatal. As rare diseases, they have not been focused on as much as other diseases such as cancer and heart diseases have. Therefore, Pretzel was formed to better understand the biology around mitochondria and develop treatments based on this unique approach. Pretzel is currently building a therapeutic portfolio around these metabolic diseases.

Within the next few years, Keating anticipates that Pretzel will begin conducting clinical trials. One of the difficulties in doing this is to find the patients with these rare diseases. Mitochondrial diseases tend to be evenly distributed across large populations, but there are occasional areas where a “founder effect” results in a concentration of disease. 

- If we can run clinical trials here in Sweden or Finland or Norway, we certainly will. We’ll go wherever the patients are, says Keating.

This is one reason why the office at GoCo Health Innovation City is a good place to grow Pretzel Therapeutics. However, the most prominent reason for Pretzel to have an office in Sweden, in addition to its Boston headquarters, is that Pretzel’s scientific founders are based in Europe at the University of Gothenburg, the Karolinska Institute and Cambridge University.

- But beyond having the founders here, there is a lot of well-trained scientific talent in Sweden. Particularly in Gothenburg, coming out of GU and Chalmers, there is a lot of excellent talent. Additionally, large companies like AstraZeneca have created a hub of scientific expertise and skill here, states Keating.

However, a more difficult aspect of getting established in Sweden, according to Keating, is that the infrastructure to support company formation is still developing.

- One thing Boston has is ready access to laboratory space where young companies can lease spaces and start their work without it costing a tremendous amount of money or forcing long-term leases, elaborates Keating.

In the life science industry, and many other industries as well, artificial intelligence is the one topic a lot of people are most excited about at the moment. Keating, however, thinks of AI as simply an exciting new tool. 

- There has been a lot of other tools that have come before. Recombinant DNA, parallel synthetic chemistry and computers are all tools that have changed life sciences, drug discovery and medical sciences in dramatic and positive ways, and I am sure AI will do the same. But to me it is still just a tool, explains Keating.

Instead, Keating expresses excitement about discovering novel biology and finding out ways that those new discoveries can translate into new treatments for patients.

- An example from the last couple of years - no one knew what an mRNA vaccine was until the Covid pandemic came. Yet, the underlying biology around mRNA vaccines, which was laid down 10-20+ years ago, produced new options and new treatments that saved a lot of people, adds Keating.

Because of the value of new biology, Keating believes that Pretzel, focused on novel biology in mitochondrial disease, will make some very exciting discoveries and hope to change the field.

Continuing on the subject of new aspects of the life science industry, Keating thinks that there has been a transition happening in the last 10 years. More and more, higher risk and innovative research in biotechnology has been happening in smaller start-up companies rather than in larger, established pharma-companies like AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, or Roche. Instead, those larger companies have used their expertise in areas such as development, clinical trials, marketing, commercialization, expansion and delivering to patients.

- Because of that, I think a trend that will carry on is that venture capital firms, universities, and scientists like those at Pretzel will continue to form small new companies focused on risky, innovative areas of science, says Keating.

This trend would mean that most research would be more divided among smaller companies, and development more divided into larger companies.

When asked about collaboration within life science, Keating expresses a need of defining what successful collaboration is and looks like.

- Everybody wants to collaborate more, but I think it only works when you have similar goals, a clear understanding of what all parties are contributing, good communication and a real commitment of resources and time, adds Keating.

Keating, who does think collaboration is important and has a lot of experience in working in a collaborative way, means that there are barriers to collaborating outside the company. It takes a lot of time, money, and resources to collaborate successfully and the many small companies in the industry might have limited resources.

Nonetheless, Pretzel Therapeutics as a company is very collaborative internally as they have their headquarters in Boston but their mitochondrial biology labs in Gothenburg at GoCo. This requires everyone to bridge a 6-hour time zone difference every day, as well as travelling back and forth and navigating laws in the different countries.

- But we do that because we have a shared goal within the company, and we are much more successful than we would have been if only set up in Sweden or only in the US. In fact, Pretzel itself is an example of successful collaboration, says Keating.

The dual locations, US and Sweden, were driven by the close collaboration between the Swedish-based founders of Pretzel Therapeutics and the US-based management team. Keating explains why Pretzel decided to establish at GoCo Health Innovation City.

- We were working in a very nice space at the University of Gothenburg to build the company, but that is not a long-term space to be in. GoCo was a really great opportunity in the same area, with brand new laboratory and office space that we could design ourselves, says Keating.

Further, he explains that all those reasons along with the beautiful space at GoCo House complemented by its services are very valuable for Pretzel. As a hub, he comments that it is nice to be among many different life science companies, including having AstraZeneca across the parking lot. However, it is difficult to comment on how it is going to turn out.

- As I mentioned earlier about collaboration, I think it happens for other reasons than companies just being next to each other. They need to take the initiative to go out and talk to each other, explains Keating.

Concluding, Keating expresses that he is very happy to be at GoCo and that Pretzel has taken the unique opportunity of moving in during the early stages of the area which allowed them to design their own space. 

To describe GoCo Health Innovation City in three words, Keating says: 
Innovation, Community and Sleek.

Tom Keating

Tom Keating on his work on rare diseases at Pretzel Therapeutics

Siemens Healthineers in Sweden is a commercial organization of about 200 people across the country focusing on sales, marketing, service, and training of their medical solutions. Siemens Healthineers brings innovation and the most technologically advanced medical imaging, radiation therapy, digital and laboratory diagnostics solutions to the market. 

- We want to transform care with our technology, and ultimately improve the lives of patients, says LaFleche.

Siemens Healthineers’ medical products and solutions have been used by healthcare providers for many years to diagnose patients. When speaking about current trends and what the future of Siemens Healthineers and life science might look like, LaFleche expresses an interest and passion for precision medicine and preventive care specifically.

LaFleche explains that the momentum building around precision medicine and individualized care is very interesting for Siemens Healthineers. As a company, they are very well positioned to work and capitalize on this new trend. Siemens Healthineers are producing a large amount of data via their laboratory tests as well as their imaging scans, which can be used to support individualized care for patients. Additionally, LaFleche talks about the shift currently happening from the focus on the end of the patient pathway in the form of sick care, to the beginning of the patient pathway in the form of preventive care. This is something LaFleche thinks is very important for the industry, and specifically for Siemens Healthineers as they are a company focused on diagnostics and ultimately preventing patients from becoming sick in the first place.

- At Siemens Healthineers, we are heavily involved in this concept of digital twinning, says LaFleche when speaking of the future in life science.

Health digital twinning is the concept of taking data of a particular person from all types of sources, such as imaging scans, lab tests, genomics, smartwatches, and so on, to create a digital replica of that same particular person. In that way, healthcare providers can introduce different types of therapies to see how they would affect the patient, without taking the risk of trying it on the actual patient. Meaning, clinicians can observe potential side effects, and get an idea on which potential treatments could work.

- This concept can also be applied to specific organs, like the heart or liver. A “digital heart under our control” can, for example, help to predict the success of cardiac resynchronization therapy. The basis for this are: a) anonymized data from many hearts (MR, EKG, blood pressure, blood count, genetics) b) Current patient data – the digital twin has the same shape, dimensions, electrical signal activation, and blood pressure fluctuation as the patient’s heart, adds LaFleche.

Regarding the future of life science, LaFleche comments that collaboration becomes more and more important, as one single entity or company will not be able to solve all of healthcare’s challenges by themselves. Hospitals are now looking for end-to-end solutions that impact a particular value chain in a broader way. 

- We have an impact on one area of the imaging value chain, for example, but if we can create partnerships and collaborations that work in other areas, we can deliver a more impactful result, explains LaFleche.

Siemens Healthineers is constantly working with the public healthcare system, however, he believes that there is a bit of skepticism towards the intentions of the industry coming from the public sector.

- I hear a lot of times from different parties that public healthcare, academia, and the industry need to collaborate more. But it is, many times, actually very difficult to do this in practice and I find that it relates back to this skepticism, explains LaFleche.

To change this perception, LaFleche thinks the industry should and needs to work hard to prove themselves by implementing new solutions and products in hospitals in Sweden and demonstrating positive outcomes. 

Clearly, with his many years of experience working in life science in different countries, LaFleche has a unique view of what makes the Swedish market stand out from a global perspective.

- There are a lot of grassroots and homegrown innovations of technology here. You can really see this with all the life science start-ups and companies coming out of Sweden. And to go along with that, the overall mindset of the country is of an innovative one, says LaFleche.

LaFleche explains that Siemens Healthineers recently introduced a brand-new Computed Tomography (CT) machine, which uses an innovative technology, called photon-counting, that is unique to the market. Now, 18 months later, Sweden already has a significant number of Photon-Counting CTs in use, which very much exemplifies the innovative spirit of the country. 

Nevertheless, there are a few weaknesses within the life science market in Sweden as well. Such as the skepticism mentioned previously, and the fact that change within the public healthcare system happens quite slowly. Another difficulty related to Sweden, but not unique to Sweden, is the challenge of data integration. LaFleche elaborates that the aspiration he, Siemens Healthineers, and many others have regarding precision medicine becomes hard to move forward with when integrating data from disparate systems is a challenge.

LaFleche’s organization within Siemens Healthineers is spread out all over the country. He explains that the reason why they decided to establish an office at GoCo Health Innovation City simply comes down to the two factors: the West Coast employees should have access to a new and modern office and Siemens Healthineers wanted to place themselves in the middle of a life science ecosystem.

Although discussions of cross-border collaboration have happened, it is too soon to comment on the outcome of being located at GoCo from a collaboration point of view states LaFleche.

- However, from an employee satisfaction and engagement point of view, being at GoCo has accomplished that and more. It has been incredible, says LaFleche.

He continues to explain that it has created excitement with the employees being in a modern and new environment that is full of energy, and creativity and focused on life science.

Further, LaFleche is very excited to see the result of GoCo as a concept, and how different organizations and people being put in the same physical location might lead to collaboration and innovation. He is, as one example, interested in seeing how collaboration within sustainability might happen within the ecosystem.

Conclusively, LaFleche describes GoCo Health Innovation City as a modern, forefronting place where the essence of life science exists in the walls.

Eric LaFleche

Eric LaFleche on digital twinning, the Swedish innovative mindset, and opportunities for more collaboration

We sat down with Maria Lundbäck, Head of Corporate Marketing Communication, Fredrik Didriksson, Head of Chemistry and Technology Development and Eva Wahlberg, Vice President Research & Development to speak about Wellspect, the future of life science and the company's presence at GoCo Health Innovation City.

Wellspect provides high quality continence care products to people dealing with bladder and bowel concerns. The product users fall into two main categories: people with neurological injuries and others. The largest target group is in fact people who experience bladder and bowel issues caused by spinal cord injuries.

-	In our daily work, we talk a lot about pee and poo, Maria Lundbäck says smiling. And we share many good laughs about it too. Providing our users with the freedom of control is what it's all about, and it's a great source of motivation to all of us.

When asked about the future, Maria, Fredrik and Eva express an interest in Big Data and how the power of data in society is affecting the life science industry. They all agree that new technology will offer new solutions to health issues, which will impact how we manage to take care of a constantly aging population going forward.  

-	We will need new laws and regulations to make effective use of this technology in our rather conservative healthcare system, Maria says.

Wahlberg goes on to discuss how Wellspect is affected by the difficulty to change the ways and processes of the system. As an example, she brings up the packaging for Wellspect's products that include an instruction-for-use leaflet. The leaflet is important for all first-time users, but an experienced user will just throw it away, which is regrettable from a sustainability point of view. And it goes against Wellspect's strive to remain a sustainability forerunner in the field. Wellspect would like to substitute the leaflet with a QR code, but this cannot be approved by the regulators, as some users may lack access to a computer.

-	This is the conservative standpoint we struggle with today, explains Eva.

In the future, Fredrik says, we will have to find innovative and simple solutions to quickly adapt to a changing society. We need to find ways to support healthcare professionals to train care takers more efficiently. And we need a change in laws and processes to encourage a more sustainable way of working.

Maria and Eva remark that the healthcare system will have to adapt to younger generations. Future generations will demand a more accessible system, which will force the healthcare system to become more patient-focused.

As a large company operating all over the world, Wellspect Healthcare has a broad and global view of the industry. The three colleagues agree that Sweden offers a unique system of collaboration between academia and the industry, however they would like to see more engagement from politicians in life science to truly fulfill the Triple Helix we need to move forward. 

-	I believe we have fallen behind in that area in Sweden. We used to be a country where it was quite easy to execute clinical trials – which is not the case anymore. We simply have too few politicians involved, says Maria.

But Maria, Fredrik and Eva do, however, see a lot of strengths in the life science industry in Sweden. 

-	We have the competence and talent needed here in Sweden, says Fredrik, and there is a high amount of educated people available.

And they add that the collaboration between multiple companies and sectors is both important and beneficial. Which is the purpose of GoCo Health Innovation City.

As Founding Partner to the community platform GoCo Arena since 2021, Wellspect supports the culture and co-creates content for the event program. The program invites specialists, researchers, and key-note speakers to highlight relevant subjects to bring the industry together and encourage cross-border collaboration.

Wahlberg explains that Wellspect decided to join as Founding Partner for the extended visibility offered and the opportunities for cross-border collaboration within the industry. Wellspect's presence in GoCo Arena has already resulted in interesting meetings and new collaboration projects. Eva mentions a new collaboration project with AI company Eghed, which came out of a workshop at GoCo Arena in 2022.

-	Our collaboration with Eghed allows us to use AI to learn and predict what will happen with our products when they age. We also use AI to develop a language model that allows us to search our own archives for information and knowledge, explains Fredrik.

-	These types of meetings are exactly what we should aim for, adds Eva.

The three colleagues are excited about the idea that more companies will move into the area and participate in the collaborative culture. In their ideal world, companies that are interested in testing and reviewing Wellspect's products would move here. From that perspective, Norlandia, with their elderly care expertise as well as Essity, with their strive to challenging taboos and stigmas would be ideal collaborative partners to Wellspect.

To summarize, we asked Maria, Fredrik and Eva to explain GoCo in three words:

-	Courage, Go Ahead Spirit, Collaboration, says Fredrik.
-	Collaboration, Innovation, Attraction, continues Eva.
-	The simple fact that it is becoming a real-life science city center is what comes to mind, and that is just amazing, concludes Maria.

Wellspect 

Cross-border collaboration - fundamental to founding partner Wellspect

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety. Its products are mainly used for diagnosing infectious diseases. They are also used for detecting microorganisms in agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

The bioMérieux Nordic office, which covers Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, is now establishing itself at GoCo Health Innovation City in January 2024.

- We are incredibly happy to welcome bioMérieux Nordic to GoCo Health Innovation City. Their physical presence in the area as well as their contribution to the community will be important and valuable for the health ecosystem, says Marie Uddenmyr, Director of Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

bioMérieux Nordic is a great addition in the GoCo community. By bringing people together, a culture of collaboration and innovation can be fostered to accelerate health innovation. The existing ecosystem of academia, public sector and industry operating at GoCo works closely together, both geographically and conceptually, towards life science innovations for a healthier future.

- At bioMérieux, innovation is part of our DNA. We are very excited to establish our new Nordic Headquarter in January 2024 at GoCo Health Innovation City. We believe this will help us create new partnerships within an innovative healthcare ecosystem to advance diagnostics, said Denis Monnaie, Vice President, Clinical Operations, Benelux Nordic at bioMérieux.


Find more information about bioMérieux on their website www.biomerieux.com.
Photo credit @bioMérieux - Florent Dubray.


bioMérieux Sweden AB

In vitro diagnostics leader bioMérieux Nordic is establishing headquarter at GoCo Health Innovation City

- The digitalization in life science will most definitely increase the coming years. Genomics, which is what we focus on, is an important part but I also see great potential in other areas, Staaf says.

Offering a digital product has many advantages and enables 1928 Diagnostics to operate on a global market even though they are a small company located in Sweden. However, the limitation of originating from a small country is the lack of large sized risk capital. This often forces start-ups to raise capital abroad, resulting in transferring large parts of the ownership outside Sweden. That might not be a problem for the individual company but for Swedish long term economic growth.

- Perhaps it is more beneficial to start a business in a smaller country. You can quickly get a network of contacts that help you move forward. The threshold to connect to the right person is lower, Staaf explains.

In the beginning, 1928 Diagnostics were able to travel around Sweden, use their contacts and get the first hospitals to test their software. This helped immensely to direct further product development in a way to fit the needs of the end user and was the key to now having the best product on the market. 

- Starting off in Europe is beneficial since less complicated reimbursement policies are necessary to have in place for trying out a new product that could benefit the patients. This is in contrary to the US, where hospitals are more organized as businesses, Staaf adds.

The fact that Sweden has a high quality and progressive healthcare system has been very beneficial for 1928 Diagnostics in the early days, Staaf means. 

Further, Staaf explains that collaboration is very important for all life science companies. The products are used in a complex environment, and it is important to listen and learn from others. 

- It is also inspiring to interact with other small companies that are in a similar situation as us. Therefore, it is important that we are in a context where we meet these other companies that have the same challenges, Staaf explains.

Staaf further elaborates that she thinks it is important that all team members are given the chance to interact across company boarders, not just CEOs. 

- I want everyone in the team to have the chance to meet people outside our organization for learning, inspiration or pure fun, Staaf adds.

Due to Staaf’s view on collaboration having to come naturally, and the fact that it might be easier for a small company to relate and share ideas with other small companies, she is excited to see more small sized innovation companies to move to GoCo Health Innovation City. However, that is not to say she is not inspired and excited to work close to larger companies such as Fujirebio and AstraZeneca. 

- I think the mix of both small and large companies here at GoCo is important, but I do love when the smaller companies, similar to our size, moves in Staaf comments.

Regarding GoCo Health Innovation City, Staaf expresses that the professionalism, the high ambitions and the eye for details are what makes the community special and a great place for 1928 Diagnostics. 

- This place is created through collaboration, and it has already become a life science hub where both companies and individuals want to be, Staaf says.

For 1928 Diagnostics it has been important to be located at a place such as GoCo Health Innovation City that offers the flexibility between having a private office and working in the co-working space. As a company that will grow, they need the option to upgrade their space, which GoCo offers. Further, Staaf thinks it is important for her and her company to be in a place that provides a greater context and a stimulating environment where all companies, clinics and even housings are connected.

- Everything is happening very quickly with GoCo, and I am convinced that once it is all done this will not only be an amazing and connected life science hub, but also a lively neighborhood, says Staaf.

When asked to describe GoCo Health Innovation City in three words Staaf says: Professionalism, Positive attitude, and High ambitions.

- Everyone who works at GoCo is service-minded and puts a lot of effort into being supportive, personal, and also spread this warmth that inspires people here. This transverses into in all interactions at GoCo, Staaf concludes.

Susanne Staaf

Susanne Staaf on the digitalization in life science

Ribocure Pharmaceuticals is a biotech company focusing on oligonucleotide therapeutics to offer the best possible medicine for the individual patient. Ribocure unites biotech innovation with the established systematic work processes of Big Pharma as well as preclinical discovery work with innovative clinical trials, all on the same office floor. This is what Li-Ming refers to as completing the circle.

- It is the ultimate union of everything I have done and worked on up until this day. We combine bench research with clinical research, we unite academic innovation with industry, and the meeting between east and west. Even my first work with mentoring PhD students as many of them now have been hired to join the Ribocure team, says Li-Ming.

At Ribocure they drive global project development of their oligonucleotide assets, as well as design and execute innovative clinical studies in their own Phase II clinical trial unit. They strive to perform all the work by using biotech agility combined with an efficient cross-functional teamwork model like those established within Big Pharma. 

- To be able to demonstrate proof of principle/concept in target population is the ultimate goal of innovative drug discovery process. To be able to control this step using high volume and high-quality unit such as our own Phase II unit, is indeed very unique in the industry, explains Li-Ming.

This is a massive contribution to the government’s life science strategy to increase the number of clinical trials in Sweden. Li-Ming explains that it has previously not been easy to execute clinical trials in Sweden due to numerous hurdles, comparing to other larger countries, e.g., USA. However, Li-Ming has always had a lot of belief in Sweden and Swedish clinical research capacity and has planned to allocate many oligonucleotide-based clinical trials to Sweden.

- We would like Swedish principal investigators and researchers to be the first to prove a concept in the patient. That’s how we can put Sweden on the world map in terms of innovative drug research, comments Li-Ming.

Just now in September 2023 Ribocure achieved first-patient-in in Sweden of their Phase II clinical trial, evaluating efficacy and safety of a novel siRNA molecule targeting Hepatitis B virus. And next year they will execute five more clinical trials in Sweden using their proprietary siRNA platform, now targeting e.g., lipid disorders, thrombosis, renal disease, as well as rare cancer diseases.

Despite that the requirements are high for conducting trials in Sweden, Li-Ming with his strong belief in Sweden has succeeded to convince Ribocure’s parent company to follow this Swedish route in early clinical development before global registrational trials. Sweden is top ranked in the world in terms of innovation with many talented scientists and distinguished clinical researchers. He further explains that he believes in Sweden’s approach of letting people choose their own career paths as you can only become extremely talented when driven by interest and passion.

- I believe we can create an attractive clinical research network for all the interested principal investigators in Sweden that otherwise do not always get the opportunity to use their knowledge for these types of proof of principle/concept trials, says Li-Ming.

Li-Ming has been involved in many different types of drug discovery platforms and modalities within life science but expresses that the speed and precision of this technical platform made him want to focus on oligonucleotide therapeutics at Ribocure.

- With many other drug platforms, it is still a lot of trial and error. Using our siRNA platform, we can with high success rate precisely "shut down" disease causing genes in the liver, and the chances of us being “off target” is practically non-existent. Using this liver delivery platform, we can treat most of the lipid disorders, fatty liver diseases and their complications, as well as hypertension and thrombotic diseases explains Li-Ming. There is a lot of excitement and breakthroughs in our "innovation factory", we will soon also launch similar oligonucleotide platforms targeting against kidneys as well as a specific type of brain tumor, continues Li-Ming.

The precision and efficiency of the discovery machinery Li-Ming and his team are creating together with their lead time from an idea to first-time-in-man of 24 months is what makes Ribocure so special. Even though 24 months is very short, they have a goal of reducing it to 18 months which is revolutionary as it usually takes far much longer when working with other modalities.

Ribocure established at GoCo Health Innovation City in June 2023, to focus even more on cross-border collaboration. Li-Ming sees himself as an embodiment of collaboration between academia, public sector, and industry.

- It is a given that we need to collaborate. There is no “us and them”, we are all here for science and for the patient. Naturally success and money play a part in the equation as in most industries, however that is just a consequence or an upside for us passionate researchers. More importantly is the meaning of life, which is what motivates us in our work, says Li-Ming.

Further, Li-Ming describes the need of being in a cluster context. When working within life science you need to be able to collaborate with other companies that can offer services, assistance, and contacts that you need. 

- Being in the cluster at GoCo, helps us meet these people and when the time comes, we know where to turn for insight and support, explains Li-Ming.

He also expresses the importance of life science companies marketing themselves. It is important for these companies to market and promote their work so all relevant collaboration partners can find them and work with them, no matter where in the world they are located.

At GoCo Health Innovation City we have all these important components to create collaboration within life science. However, the most important aspects of GoCo, according to Li-Ming, is the closeness between research, entrepreneurship, and patients.

- When you allow people to randomly interact with each other, that is when innovation happens. You cannot book a meeting for innovation. And those spontaneous interactions are what you have created the possibility for here at GoCo, comments Li-Ming.

Li-Ming expresses the importance and benefit of GoCo, where people from Big Pharma, biotech, academia, hospital, and other sectors can meet and exchange experiences. This also creates many new job opportunities, and for some of the people this will provide them with a fantastic life-changing new start in their career life.  

- We are very happy and fortunate with our recruitment in Ribocure with a perfect and unique mixture of Big Pharma veterans, health care professionals and talented experienced scientists. Most important, we are all passionate about our journey and having so much fun working together toward our goal to be the leading clinical oligonucleotide research company in Sweden, concludes Li-Ming.

Lastly, Li-Ming chooses to characterize GoCo Health Innovation City with these three words: Innovative, Patient Centered and Vibrant.

Li-Ming Gan

Li-Ming Gan on successful research and his life's work with knowledge from industry, academia, and the public sector.

- Sustainability without health and healthcare is not sustainability, begins Bakker.

When we aim to solve health challenges related to an aging population, health economics, and global pandemics for example, it is incredibly important to have an infrastructure that can supply equal access to healthcare for everyone. Availability and support of infrastructure are highly prioritized areas within the life science industry which also align very well with the national goals of sustainability, Bakker explains. Specifically, these areas are related to social sustainability, and Bakker explains how many life science companies conduct projects in evolving countries to advance in both health, medicine, and sustainability.

- Today, diseases are a very large problem and the reason why a lot of people do not live full lives. In the future, the climate issue will have an even larger effect and create even more disruption in society. This will be extremely difficult to deal with, and because of this sustainability is a pressing issue within life science, says Bakker.
 
In the future, Bakker thinks there will be laws that demand that all products created and delivered by the life science industry must be sustainable. This can be difficult as many companies sell and create items that are disposable.

- The disposable products used in the industry today often have incredibly high demands when it comes to being hygienic and sterile. To adhere to these demands while still being reusable requires a large investment in new technology. However, companies should and are looking at it as a competitive advantage to deliver sustainable products as both employees and users of the products prefer the sustainable options, explains Bakker.

Even if you are sick and need help, Bakker believes that patients will demand a sustainable solution to their problem.

- Is it the fact that “I’m not feeling well” or the fact that “the world is not feeling well” that we must solve? How well can I feel at the expense of someone else, questions Bakker when he thinks about a future with global climate issues but without the option of sustainable healthcare.

Further, Bakker explains that if we can help small, medium-sized, and large companies in the Swedish life science industry to create and deliver sustainable products, sustainability will be an incredibly large Swedish export. This will, of course, offer all companies a global competitive advantage and it will favor Sweden as a country as well as aid in global challenges.

To succeed with this vision, it is very important with collaboration between people of different expertise in sustainability, healthcare, and life science as well as collaboration between multiple different companies.

- We have a collaboration forum with the sustainability departments at multiple large life science companies within our community. We all face the same challenges of global issues and the difficulty in interpreting laws and rules that keep changing and increasing. In this forum we help each other, work on innovative solutions, and share best practice between companies to accelerate our shared progress, says Bakker.

AstraZeneca, Wellspect HealthCare, and Mölnlycke Health Care are some of the companies represented in this forum. And when asked if other companies should be a part of the forum Bakker explains that there are plenty of brilliant companies he would like to work with. However, even more than creating larger forums he would like to see other companies creating more forums and thereby more action. If multiple forums come up with innovative solutions and means of working, these ideas could then be shared across forums which in turn would create a massive network for collaboration.

- I would love to see more of these forums, and I want it to be a given that even start-ups or smaller companies have an important voice in these discussions, comments Bakker.

Further, Bakker discussed that the field of sustainability is evolving very quickly now. It is all happening at this moment, many people and companies are taking responsibility and actions. Additionally, we are dealing with new subfields such as sustainable supply chains and biodiversity emerging. Bakker is especially excited about how the climate challenges are being handled.

- It is still a very large, important, and difficult challenge to collectively reduce our CO2e emissions. But at GoCo Health Innovation City, for example, we are doing very well. We have developed methods, we have clear goals, we work extremely hard with the issue, and we have committed suppliers which makes it a lot of fun to work with, adds Bakker.

To highlight the importance of sustainability within the industry, Bakker suspects that in five years we will have seen the first set of businesses being closed down due to the disability of adhering to sustainability demands. However, he is hopeful that these strict requirements will create an even larger need for collaboration and integration where we will help each other become as sustainable as possible. This is something he can see happening already at GoCo Health Innovation City. 

- At GoCo I can see that things really are happening. We are making progress by collaborating and being brave in our actions, Bakker explains further.

When asked about his expectations of GoCo Health Innovation City, Bakker says that he is excited to see the social and collaborative culture of GoCo House start happening in the entire area. Furthermore, he expects GoCo to become a way of keeping both national and international competence here in West Sweden. 

- I know this is just the beginning of GoCo and we can all expect more to come, says Bakker.

To conclude the interview Bakker shared the three keywords he associates with GoCo: Collaboration, Hot Spot, and Curiosity.

Viktor B

Viktor Bakker on sustainability, global goals and the connection to Life Science

GoCo Health Innovation City is developing into an innovation cluster that attracts both national and international researchers, entrepreneurs, and talents within life science.

“We are very glad that SwedenBIO is establishing at GoCo Health Innovation City. Their presence will be very much appreciated by West Sweden as a whole. That includes everyone within GoCo’s Community” says Marie Uddenmyr, Director of Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

SwedenBIO operates nationally but has so far only had offices in Stockholm, and the establishment at GoCo Health Innovation City will be the first one outside of the capital. The purpose of locating themselves at GoCo is to support the industry by expanding their presence in the region.

“Life science is an industry where collaboration and cooperation are incredibly important for the eco-system. In Gothenburg, the industry, property developers, investors, and the government are putting a lot of effort into working closely together. That creates something special, and we want to be there and support this very important advancement” comments Jessica Martinsson, CEO at SwedenBIO.

To commemorate their establishment in West Sweden on Friday, September 22nd, SwedenBIO has invited other companies and people connected to GoCo for a celebration at GoCo House. SwedenBIO’s CEO Jessica Martinsson and Community Manager Frida Eriksson will be there to attend.

Facts about the Life Science Industry in Sweden:

•	Pharmaceuticals are the second largest export category and had an approximated turnover of 139 billion SEK in 2022, shows the Central Bureau of Statistics.
•	Sweden’s collected Life Science companies have a national pharmaceutical pipeline which can be compared to one of the global pharmaceutical giants, according to The Swedish Drug Discovery and Development Pipeline Report 2023. 
•	Sweden is very successful in Europe and places themselves as the fifth most successful country according to the above-mentioned report.
•	All of Sweden’s Life Science Industry had in 2020 51 765 employees and 3 340 companies, shows Vinnova’s report of Statistics of Swedish Life Science companies.

Jessica SwedenBIO

National Association for the Life Science Industry SwedenBIO is establishing at GoCo Health Innovation City

The laboratories in which CCRM Nordic will conduct both production and process development work are the main core of the organization. But they also support with business development as well as other areas that relates to the commercialization of these kind of products.

- The single most important part of our organization, however, is the competent staff that will deliver and lead the work we are doing, says Fredrik Wessberg.

Currently, there are five people working at CCRM Nordic and they will most likely have doubled in numbers before the end of the year. All of which are working with various expertise to establish the center where Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) development will be conducted. 

- Cell therapy is exceptional as it creates new possibilities for curing diseases that we today cannot cure but rather treat to minimize the symptoms and effects. The fact that we in the future will be able to cure these diseases is the “cool” part of cell therapy and something that will enable us to live longer and healthier lives, says Wessberg.

At GoCo there is a strong focus on collaboration and CCRM Nordic itself, as a business, is the perfect example of a successful outcome of collaboration and cooperation. The organization is backed by both Vinnova, Sweden’s Innovation Agency, and an industry consortium which together with the work and support from academia and the health care has made CCRM Nordic possible.

- We would not exist if it weren’t for collaboration. The entire foundation of CCRM Nordic builds upon collaboration between large and small businesses, academia, health care, and the government, explains Wessberg.

Furthermore, Wessberg emphasizes the importance of collaboration within Life Science by explaining how it is almost a requirement to collaborate between different parties to become successful today. Regardless of if you’re a large business or a small business, all parties need to collaborate and help each other. Wessberg thinks it is key that businesses in Life Science dare to be more open and for example share data between partners and even competitors to further advance development in the future.

- I am looking forward to working with anyone who wants to work with us. Small businesses, large businesses, academia, individual researchers - CCRM Nordic is available for anyone who could benefit from our services, says Wessberg.

Further, Wessberg believes that the encouragement of collaboration, openness, and the sharing of information within the industry will develop the Swedish Life Science field. By enabling companies to collaborate with other parties in the country they will be able to stay and advance innovation right here. 

- Sweden is a small country that has a lot of great research, we are good at innovation, we are good at early development, however, we are not so competitive at translating and commercializing those innovations and ideas. We need better pre-conditions to develop our projects further within Sweden, so we are not forced to move our ideas or find our partners somewhere else, says Wessberg.

A lot is happening within the industry in Sweden and Wessberg means that we are now seeing improvements and investments that possibly will help us catch up to the development level of larger countries around the world. Which of course relates to the establishment of CCRM Nordic here in Sweden.

- The fact that we can find help and collaborating partners here in Sweden or the Nordics instead of having to go to other European countries, USA, or Asia will help us shorten lead times and reduce costs of projects in the future, explains Wessberg.

The location of GoCo Health Innovation City works well for CCRM Nordic as it is close to collaborating partners as well as a good place to find clients. Additionally, Wessberg highlights his trust in the new city center of GoCo and the fact that what was planned and promised at the beginning of the city planning process, in 2017, is already happening in the area. This makes GoCo an attractive environment to be in for CCRM Nordic. Besides, he expects that the addition of CCRM Nordic’s GMP lab in the area is incredibly important as it is now a scarce resource, and it will enable smaller businesses to maintain and advance their ideas and work here in Sweden.

When asked Wessberg describes GoCo Health Innovation city with the three words Collaboration, Innovation, and Courage.

- I look forward to watching GoCo become a lively city center, which it now has all the right conditions to flourish into. A place for cross-border collaboration where businesses can gather inspiration, energy and new opportunities. I think it will be the key to breaking down barriers and finding successful collaborative Life Science projects in the future, concludes Wessberg.

Fredrik Wessberg

Fredrik Wessberg on advanced therapies and CCRM Nordic

Norlandia have proven themselves to be both innovative and modern in the development of their elderly care, which can be seen in their other projects where they, for example, have combined a retirement home with a kindergarten. This is one of the main reasons why they are such a perfect fit for GoCo Health Innovation City – a place that enables the creation of future health innovations.

- We are not just open for new and better working methods but are also aiming to create these methods through collaboration, further education and research. With the GoCo establishment we are hoping to create more opportunities to cooperate with researchers and other companies that share ours, the city of Mölndal and GoCo’s vision of how openness and collaboration promote innovation, says Dusanka Reljanovic, Director of Operations at Norlandia.

The retirement home will consist of 60 apartments across three floors and an inviting roof terrace. There are further plans to create a yoga studio to create an opportunity and focus on health and movement for the elderly. A restaurant, supermarket and medical clinic are also planned to reside in the building.

Norlandia moving in and being a part of the community, GoCo Arena, is very much appreciated by other parties in the area. They have previously participated in a talk with Ingmar Skoog, Chief physician and Professor of psychiatry, where they together with representatives from the industry and academy discussed the future of elderly care. They are therefore highly anticipated and other companies at GoCo Health Innovaton City are looking forward to learn, share and collaborate with Norlandia when they open their doors in the beginning of next year.

- It is incredible that Norlandia finally are moving to GoCo Health Innovation City. They have been a part of our community and contributed with their expertise in elderly care for some time now. That’s why other parties at GoCo are so excited to welcome Norlandia to the area and start working together towards new innovations and world-leading healthcare, says Moa Dicksdotter, Community Manager at GoCoHealth Innovation City.

- It feels amazing that we are doing this and soon get to be a part of GoCo Health Innovation City for real. We look forward to collaborate with the city of Mölndal and meet the innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers in the area to collectively work towards elderly care of world-class quality, says Dusanka Reljanovic.

Norlandia hus

Norlandia to open their innovative elderly care facilities at GoCo Health Innovation City

There is a global race around Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP), medicines and methods based on the body's own cells, tissues or genes. These advanced medicines provide ground-breaking possibilities for the treatment of diseases and injuries, for example Alzheimer's, leukemia and other genetically inherited diseases. Relevant advanced laboratories have long been in short supply in Sweden. The establishment of GoCo Lab provides a large and necessary increase in capacity and infrastructure to create the medicines of the future.

 - State-of-the-art lab infrastructure is an extremely important asset for GoCo Health Innovation City as a life science cluster, where the lab will be crucial for health innovations, says Jacob Torell, CEO of Next Step Group and one of the initiators of GoCo Health Innovation City.

Close interaction between business and academia has been one of the keys to success since the start of GoCo Health Innovation City.

 - The GoCo Lab will give the University of Gothenburg new opportunities to pursue research and innovation in collaboration with private actors. It is important in order for our outstanding academic research to create societal benefits even faster, says Eva Wiberg, President Gothenburg University.

The largest tenant in the new lab will be CCRM Nordic, a non-profit company that focuses on driving ATMP development forward according to the successful model developed by CCRM in Toronto. The initiative is supported by Vinnova and a consortium of companies such as AstraZeneca, CombiGene, Cytiva, Getinge, Takara Bio Europe, Tataa Biocenter and Verigraft as well as incubator and investor GU Ventures with its association to the University of Gothenburg.

 - CCRM Nordic's future capacity will make a significant difference so that new advanced medicines can reach all the way to the patient. I feel privileged to be a part of this, says Fredrik Wessberg, CEO of CCRM Nordic.

Pharmaceutical and biotech company AstraZeneca also moves in to GoCo Lab, a logical step both in terms of research and relationships. The entire GoCo Health Innovation City is set up in close collaboration with AstraZeneca. With the lab in place, the area's infrastructure is further strengthened to be able to develop new innovative therapies for patients.



For more information please contact:
Jacob Torell:  jacob.torell@nextstep.se
Fredrik Wessberg:  fredrik.wessberg@ccrmnordic.se
Marie Uddenmyr:  marie.uddenmyr@goco.se


FACT SHEET

The SEK multi-million investment GoCo Lab is part of the fast-growing life science cluster GoCo Health Innovation City, adjacent to AstraZeneca's facility in Mölndal. GoCo Health Innovation City is planned to become a unique neighborhood for employees and researchers in the global frontline of life science.

With the start of construction of the GoCo Lab, 3 of the total SEK 6 billion investment is now passed, paving the way for new world-leading solutions to health challenges and creating around 8,000 new jobs.

GoCo Health Innovation City has been initiated by the companies Next Step and Vectura Fastigheter with AstraZeneca as development partner. Vectura Fastigheter is a property company within Investor AB. Next Step is an urban developer that is 50% owned by Fastighets AB Balder.

The purpose-built GoCo Lab is built in cooperation with the stakeholders who will use the infrastructure. The building should be up and running in 2026, with operations in temporary premises before then.

CCRM Nordic is established as a new entity with national infrastructure for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP), and will be accessible to stakeholders from academia, industry and the healthcare sector.

CCRM Nordic is supported by an industry consortium that helps establish the center as an organization with specialized infrastructure and expertise focused on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) development.

The consortium consists of large Swedish ATMP organizations such as AstraZeneca, CombiGene, Cytiva, Getinge, Takara Bio Europe, Tataa Biocenter and Verigraft as well as local innovation actors such as GoCo Health Innovation City and GU Ventures.


New laboratory for the advanced medicines of the future will strengthen Sweden’s position in global research

The artwork consists of five sculptures in human shapes with different expressions and movements. With a height of up to 7 meters, the sculptures will be visible from the inside of the city center as well as from the highway south of Gothenburg. "Three sculptures are taller than Poseidon," says Thomas Broomé and continues.

-	The sculptures have a connection to both the building itself, designed in the human scale, As well as the area as a center for health, innovation, and research. I was early on portraying the human being but quickly realized that I needed to work on a large scale so that the artworks could be seen from a distance. The sculptures are made to a scale of 3.5:1, approximately 7 meters tall, and change as the viewer moves around them. You see the sculpture as opaque from one side. From another angle, the figure disappears, only to return the next moment. A contrast that reflects the changing life. Things can disappear but at the same time remain, depending on how we choose to see them.

Sculpture 3

The five sculptures depict a man with a child on his shoulders. A woman stretching her arms upwards. A couple holding each other. An individual crouching on the ground and a walking woman. The laser-cut aluminum sheet, from which the sculptures are constructed in different layers, creates a feeling of that people are changing.

-	I believe that the artwork will be experienced as a reflection of the viewer. Humans change, move, develop, and so do the works of art depending on where you are in relation to it.

The artwork Jättar got its name from Isaac Newton's famous quote: "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants". An approach that reflects the essence of the area with collaboration as the driving force and cornerstone, as well as the importance of looking both backwards and forwards in time and learning from each other.

-	GoCo Health Innovation City is based on creating space for new meetings which in turn can drive development and innovation. It is about collaboration and sharing knowledge for the future, humanity, and future generations. The artwork became exactly the symbol we envisioned, and we are extremely proud to be able to give a home to a new landmark in the region, says Anna Eckerstig, Director of Real Estate Development at GoCo Health Innovation City.

GoCo Sculpture

Sculpture

 A new west Swedish landmark signed by Thomas Broomé 

In a short time, GoCo Health Innovation City has developed into a platform where academia, private and public sector work together to accelerate development in the field of health innovation. The research cluster is now taking the next step with the health initiative GoCo Active – a project that will improve public health by creating bridges between elite and general sports with the latest research in sports medicine and mental health.

– We are now developing the preventive health of tomorrow by making internationally leading research in sports medicine and public health available. To succeed, it is equally important that we create cutting edge competence for elite athletes as well as presenting a wide range of services for the general public. We are attracted by Medley's professional and proven methodology to get more people moving, and together with Medley's managing director Anders Almgrens track-record as a four times Swedish champion in decathlon, they are the perfect partner for the investment, says Douglas Haeger-Carlén, responsible project manager for GoCo Active.
 
– Our method has developed over time to get more people to create healthy long-term habits, and today we have over three million visitors at our facilities annually. Together with the life science industry, academia, and research, we are now – through the realization of GoCo Active – taking important steps to improve public health. It will be an incredibly inspiring environment – the building’s architecture and open design – where there will be plenty going on for everyone, regardless of age and health status, says Daniel Almgren, CEO at Medley.

The venture has previously involved actors such as Sahlgrenska Academy, the medical faculty at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology, as well as great commitment, investments and support from hockey star Henrik Lundquist. The characteristic building was designed by world-leading New York-based Shop Architects and will serve as the district's new entrance when the area continues to grow in the next phase.
   
– By making leading research available to a larger audience, the ambition is that more people will have access to better help, support and resources, whether it is about prevention, performance or rehab. The academic activities therefore see great cross-border collaboration and development opportunities with the initiative, says Agneta Holmäng, dean of the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.
 
The construction of GoCo Active is planned to start late 2023 with a first tenant move-in by the end of the summer 2025. Medley signs an agreement for approximately 30 percent of the property's space and a dialogue is now underway with several parties to find the right tenant mix that will contribute to the creation of a world-class centre through new cross-border collaborations.



GoCoActiveXMedley-Exterior

GoCoActiveXMedley

Medley establishes 3000 square meters for preventive health in GoCo Active

CTC founded in 2011, is a Swedish full-service contract research organisation (CRO) with focus on clinical conduct. 

Currently, CTC's Site Network consists of five state-of-the-art clinical research units located in Uppsala, Stockholm, and Linköping. With the establishment of the new clinic at GoCo Health Innovation City, CTC's Site Network will have a total of 60 beds for early clinical trials and will support the clinical conduct of studies in all phases of development as well as medical device investigations. CTC is moving in at GoCo Clinic in the fall of 2023 and the site will be equipped with the latest technology for conducting clinical trials, including 8 beds for early phase clinical trials and a high capacity for out-patient visits.

- The launch of the Gothenburg clinic is an exciting milestone for CTC as it expands our geographic coverage area and provides us with an opportunity to reach more patients and healthy volunteers in southwestern Sweden. The site will be an important part of our full-service proof-of-concept/Phase II service offering”, says Anders Millerhovf, CEO at CTC.

GoCo Clinic will be an 8,000 square meter Centre for specialized care and research. The building, designed by White Architects, will be an important element of the development at GoCo Health Innovation City. By the year 2025, 100,000 square meters will stand ready with several investments and initiatives that will push Swedish health innovation into the future.

- We are delighted that CTC is choosing GoCo Clinic for its Gothenburg site, a very exciting company that is at the forefront of clinical trials with new innovative techniques and solutions. By clustering different disciplines in adapted buildings, we will be able to develop the vision and value for our tenants faster. Having the company represented at GoCo will contribute to an innovative exchange of information throughout our ecosystem as well as new possible collaborations, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.


1649665015498

Clinical Trial Consultants open new clinical center at GoCo Health Innovation City

How can we accelerate the development of a more sustainable and cost-efficient textile fiber and make it available for a broad market? This question was the starting point for the company TreeToTextile - founded in 2014 with H&M Group, Inter IKEA Group, Stora Enso and LSCS Invest as owners. The textile industry faces extensive challenges in terms of material issues and the need for sustainable and fossil-free materials are in growing demand. A challenge that affects not only the industry but also the environment and the planet in general. 

- As the global population increase, so does the need for alternative textile fibers that meet the requirements for low environmental impact at a low cost. Textiles made from cellulose have great potential to respond to demands and make the textile industry more sustainable and bio-based. Our technology is based on a completely new process that makes this possible, says Åsa Östlund, Head of R&D at TreeToTextile AB.

The new research facility for TreeToTextile is now being prepared at GoCo House. Here, research and development will take place to test new materials and innovate how sustainable textile fibers with a low environmental footprint become a reality.

- GoCo Health Innovation City is exactly the context and environment we want to operate in. The entire area, with its sustainability profile, investment in innovation and inspiring environments, made the choice easy. Having our own research team and all the conditions in place is important for taking the next step towards commercialization and at the same time contribute to a more sustainable textile industry, Åsa Östlund continues. 

For GoCo House, the announcement means that another leading player will move into the new signature building. 

- The building is starting to be filled with innovative companies with sustainability and health as a common focus and joint agenda. We are pleased to welcome TreeToTextile to GoCo Health Innovation City and we look forward to following and support their continued journey towards a sustainable textile industry, anchored in research. The company's business fulfills an important purpose, and their establishment is guaranteed to inspire valuable collaborations and insights - both for GoCo Health Innovation City and our surrounding community, says Alexander Kronberg, Business Developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.


DSC 0419 2 (kopia)

TTT 12 PROCESS-35-

TreeToTextile to set up lab facilities at GoCo Health Innovation City

In addition to gathering actors from research, business and the academy, the focus is equally on creating a healthy environment where sustainable choices are built into the core. Climate-smart traveling is one part, and to simplify and promote sustainable transportation, GoCo has entered a collaboration with the mobility service provider EC2B.

- Through EC2B we can offer our tenants a more sustainable alternative to traveling. Flexible and straight forward solutions making it possible to adapt travel, day by day, is necessary in order to limit climate change. With these mobility services we simplify freedom to choose the mode of travel as needed while we contribute to the overall sustainability goals for GoCo and support our tenants, says Viktor Bakker sustainability manager at GoCo. 

The services are easily accessed via the EC2B app, which provides a quick overview of which transport options that are available. At GoCo, several options of electric cars and e-bikes will be available, as well as an integration with Västtrafik, which recently announced that they are expanding public transport to the emerging district.

- We are proud to be able to deliver our services to an area with high sustainability ambitions completely in line with our vision where sharing is an obvious part of modern society. EC2B works closely with GoCo to offer attractive services that really make a difference, says Lennart Persson, CEO of EC2B.

GoCo Health Innovation City is based on innovative thinking as well as a healthy lifestyle and sustainable future. The collaboration with EC2B definitely contributes to all of that, Viktor Bakker continues. 

- Making things simple is a prerequisite to redirect to more climate-smart travel, and that's exactly what this mobility hub is all about. It's given we must embrace and make the sharing economy an accepted practice when we build the cities of the future.

EC2B will be introduced from March and will be scaled up as more tenants and people settles in the area.


Mobility rätt

GoCo introduces EC2B - a mobility service to simplify and promote climate-smart travel

As the building is being filled with furnitures and textiles, the final details are carefully being placed to make the vision fall into place. A workplace designed to inspire creativity and innovation as much as a place carefully designed to invite interaction and collaboration. 
 
- A welcoming office should feel a bit like a second home. This is where people spend most of their waking hours. At GoCo House we have created different kind of spaces so everyone can find a place matching to their present mood and needs. There is room for spontaneous meetings, longer meetings and relaxing coffee breaks. Creating areas that promote conversations as well as space for peace and quiet, have been important elements in the interior design, says Lisa Robertz. 

On the ground floor, we find the main entrance with large social areas made for socializing and meetings. Stone, leather and wood are consistent material choices that, together with lots of textiles, creates a warm and welcoming environment. The floors are polished concrete and a suspended ceiling in wood wool contributes to a comfortable sound environment.

 - The area is infused with health in several ways. Embracing well-being from a coworker’s perspective is one of them. Health is about feeling good at work and this has been my greatest ambition - to create environments where people enjoy working and collaborating. This in turn will leverage new innovative ideas, Lisa continues. 

In addition to beautiful and creative interior design GoCo House offers comprehensive services to its tenants: a daily staffed reception, a lunchroom, orangery, conference rooms, a café and a restaurant with chambre separée. The public areas and office environments are, through its design, shaped with flexibility in mind. 

 - We are all different and perceive environments in various ways. Some prefer an armchair, or to take a seat at a bar stool, instead of working in front of the traditional desk. Regardless of what you prefer, GoCo House is designed based on flexibility. Every room is designed to inspire innovative thinking and thoroughly decorated to feel just as welcomed as stepping over the threshold to a vibrant and likable home, Lisa Robertz ends. 

GoCo House crowns the city district as the signature building. Capturing the essence of the innovative culture within the new life science district needed to be embodied in the interior design. The atmosphere nurtures collaboration and invites to spontaneous meetings. Therefore, choosing the best suited interior designer for the mission was of great importance.

 - We chose Lisa for this assignment as we have a history working together in previous projects. She has a unique feel for design and an ability to create genuine environment beyond the traditional office space, says Sofia Ekberg, project manager at GoCo Health Innovation City. 


Lisa Robertz

Developed for curious minds, created for collaboration and designed as a second home. GoCo House is ready to open!

The doors to GoCo House, the signature building of GoCo Health Innovation City with 21,000 square meters of offices and social areas and an ambition to drive development in Swedish health innovation, will soon open its doors. Several industry-leading companies have previously been announced as tenants and now Antaros Medical is joining the growing cluster.

-	We invest a lot in innovation and R&D and see great value in the creative and dynamic envi-ronment that GoCo is based on. We got a great start at BioVentureHub, which we have now grown out of, and look forward to continuing building on the local ecosystem in GoCo Inno-vation City. Our market is global, but a strong local ecosystem is key for both competence and speed of innovation. We’ve seen strong growth from the start and we are looking for-ward to continuing our journey in GoCo, says Christina Moberg, VP Strategy & Marketing at Antaros Medical.

Founded in Gothenburg almost ten years ago, Antaros Medical today collaborates with several small and large pharmaceutical companies around the world. The company has established itself as an innovative actor in using imaging to study how medicines are working at the organ level. Through advanced image analyses, Antaros Medical provides the pharmaceutical indus-try with early insights and support with important decision-making supporting throughout clin-ical development. In November, the company will move from BioVentureHub, a few hundred meters away, to GoCo House. ”The cooperation between the two innovation clusters, also close neighbors, forms a kind of circular ecosystem for growth in life science”, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City. 

-	We have a strong collaboration with BioVentureHub, working together to enable new pro-gress and long-term contribution to a competitive life science industry. When companies move from the hub to GoCo, the hub can then accommodate new interesting businesses. We are extremely happy to welcome Antaros Medical to GoCo House. They have made an impressive journey and I am convinced that this will continue to accelerate from the new head office at GoCo House, concludes Jonas Obert.


ANTAROS11133

Antaros Medical joins the growing life science cluster at GoCo Health Innovation City

In February the signature building GoCo House will open and welcome a dynamic mix of tenants. Soon to be followed by GoCo Clinic and GoCo Care. Uniting the buildings, businesses and people, is the belief in cooperation - and that is what GoCo is all about. A hub to meet and network, enabling for new ways to unlock solutions to global health challenges. 

- GoCo Health Innovation City enables for companies and individuals to develop and strengthen health care through collaboration. When you gather small and large companies, scientists, entrepreneurs and talents from all over the world, to share knowledges and ideas, things will start to happen. GoCo Health Innovation City is a place bringing people together to accelerate health innovation, a place for collaboration supporting new innovations for the future, says Moa Dicksdotter, Community Manager at GoCo Health Innovation City. 

Earlier this year, Mölnlycke Health Care, announced that they will relocate their headquarter to GoCo. With a vision of building a cornerstone of their future, the new headquarter is intended to position the company for the future they want to shape.



Kristin Hedlund

- This will be a headquarter fully tailored to our needs. Our vision for GoCo is a space that is both an office, a lab and a place that makes it easy to collaborate and socialize with colleagues, customers, and partners. We envision an environment which will energize us and contribute to a better quality of life for ourselves as well as for our customers and their patients, says Kristin Hedlund, EVP Legal, General Counsel at Mölnlycke. 

Founded in 1849, many milestones and revolutionary health solutions have passed through Mölnlycke Health Care's history over the years. For instance, Mölnlycke Health Care was the first to mass-produce wound dressings and the first to offer single-use drapes and powder-free coated surgical gloves (as for a fact, every three seconds, a Mölnlycke drape is used in surgery somewhere in the world). The move to GoCo now entails expectations of new milestones and innovations to come.

- Radical innovation is an important building block in our strategy and our new office at GoCo will inspire interaction and creativity enabling new ways of working and new innovations to emerge. GoCo offers a possibility to become part of a larger community, where other actors and co-workers share our vision to transform people's lives through smarter healthcare solutions, Kristin Hedlund continues. 

Another tenant moving into the district is the specialist care group within hand-and-foot surgery, Atleva. During next year, the company locates all their four Gothenburg-based clinics into three floors at GoCo Clinic. 

Ola Collin

Founder and Establishment Manager at Atleva.

- Getting the opportunity to collaborate with companies that are at the forefront is a great way to further develop your own business and, in the end, make a difference for your customers. We really look forward to welcome clients to our brand-new clinic and also welcome new possible collaborations with other businesses in the area, says Ola Collin, Founder and Establishment Manager at Atleva.

To develop through collaborations in order to create something even greater is a view shared by many companies at GoCo Health Innovation City. For the law firm dNovo, moving into the co-working hub at GoCo House, collaboration is a substantial reason behind the move. The company is represented in Gothenburg and Helsingborg and see GoCo House as a new opportunity to broaden the availability further. "We want to be a part of the ecosystem and be right in the middle of the action, where things happen, and we aim to lower the threshold to consult a lawyer, says David Schreiber, Lawyer at dNovo.

David-Schreiber

- The entire city district is bursting with innovation and new ideas, exactly the kind of environment we want to operate in. We work within different disciplines in business law, so I look forward to meeting both existing and new contacts. Collaboration is very much the way forward to drive development, regardless of the industry you operate in. But collaboration also needs to end up on a paper to become clear, structured and transparent. In this matter, I hope to contribute to one and another formulation. I look forward to many spontaneous conversations by the coffee machine, David ends. 

Regardless of size or each company's business concept, the word collaboration is constant. The importance of cross border collaborations and to build bridges between the unexpected will certainly become a key to manage both health challenges and business challenges - and this is exactly what GoCo Health Innovation is built to do. 

Co-creating the future of health 

Today, with only weeks to go until moving in, phase two of the construction plans has begun and another 110,000 square meters of area has been added to be filled with innovative investments and health-promoting initiatives.
 
- When our work with GoCo House started, the area was still at sketching stage and the brief was to design a signature building with expressive architecture that would set the tone for what was to come. Today we can begin to glimpse the overall picture where GoCo House will be the central hub. The idea behind the design is very much to reflect the rapid processes of life science research, while the shape gives expression to the variety and small-scale manifesting the district as a whole. This is also reinforced by the human sculptures on the roofs rejecting the scale, says Magnus Månsson, responsible architect and owner of Semrén & Månsson.

GoCo House keyword, included since the initial discussions, have been innovation, collaboration, sustainability and opportunities to meet. To create a building that promotes the meeting between people and builds conditions for innovation in a sustainable way.

 - GoCo House is really the heart of the area, a place for people to meet - both spontaneously and planned. We have had a great collaboration with architects, construction companies and subcontractors who have met our ambitions in the best possible way - both from a sustainability perspective and from the vision of collaboration we wish to create, says Anna Eckerstig, Director Real Estate Development at GoCo Health Innovation City.

So, can architecture enable collaboration and unleash innovation? Hanna Pettersson, architect and business development manager at Semrén & Månsson, believes that the architecture is absolutely decisive.

 - Architecture is essential, or actually, absolutely crucial, in creating the conditions to meet. There must be unartistic places to meet at and with the right architecture you can also create flows allowing people to bump into each other in a natural way. At GoCo House, we have worked with both joint areas, movement patterns and created an environment that we hope people will enjoy and value as a workplace, Hanna Pettersson continues. 

Hanna continues describing GoCo House as a dynamic, allowing place where no floor looks the same - something that creates impressions and nurtures creativity.

 - Humans need variety to give new ideas a free play space. Innovation is a constant word for the entire area and when we talked about how innovation can be reflected in architecture, we ended up creating a building that is experiential in its structure and changeable over time - a building allowing things to happen. Despite the irregular office spaces and thanks to a consistent and durable interior concept, we have formed environments ready to face changes. Something that also benefits the sustainability perspective. You shouldn't have to rebuild because a new tenant is moving in, Hanna continues.

When it comes to sustainability, the ongoing work to reduce the climate footprint and to strive for high sustainability at all levels has been distinctive. The building has been gold-certified according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an international system based on Location and transport Sustainable sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and resources and Indoor Environmental Quality.

 - We work according to a sustainability framework that forms the basis of all our sustainability efforts - from construction processes, architecture, transport, travel and on-site services. As for GoCo House, we have worked with conscious sustainable materials that last over time and support environmental work in general. We have strived toward using wood as much as possible, which is also replicated in the interior design where natural materials can be found together with recycling. The building is created to last over time with a durable base, while the feeling is changeable and playful, says Anna Eckerstig.

Health is mirrored throughout GoCo Health Innovation City. The district does not only enable health innovation for the future - the area itself is based on the idea of health and well-being for employees and visitors. In GoCo House, movement is encouraged through strategic flows that primarily move upwards in the building, making for example the stairs a natural choice to use. 

 - GoCo House is a healthy office building from several perspectives. For instance, wood as a material is a healthy choice that makes people feel good and by creating reasons to movement, the design of the house also contributes to well-being in everyday life. It is no coincidence that we have human sculptures decorated the building. The entire GoCo Health Innovation City is based on doing good for humanity today and for the future - something we also want the architecture to highlight, Hanna Pettersson ends. 


Goco Vy

Samrén & Månsson

Architecture for collaboration, health and innovation

GoCo House is designed by the architectural firm Semrén & Månsson with the aim of creating the best conditions for meeting, collaboration and enabling new innovations and progress. The building offers co-working, large office spaces and several social areas and restaurants. 

GoCo House will offer Volvo Cars access to the co-working office hub to seat part of its safety and innovation teams. This will facilitate more cross sector collaborations to further explore innovative technologies for the future. 

The interest in collaborating with actors within Life Science is not a coincidence. Through sector convergence, traditional boundaries between branches and industries are blurred and new business partners are found in places previously not even considered.

 - We are thrilled to join the GoCo innovation ecosystem. Working more closely with other actors in the health innovation area will unveil great opportunities for collaborations across sectors. We believe that it will contribute to our Safety Vision that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo, says Guillaume Cabrere, head of Open Innovation Arena at Volvo Cars. The size of the GoCo Health Innovation City campus also makes it a perfect innovation arena to experiment on new mobility solutions.

The emerging district has a strong focus in health innovation. That Volvo Cars is now becoming part of the ecosystem is welcomed by Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.

 - Innovative transport solutions will, to the greatest extent, be involved in shaping tomorrow's communities and cities for the better. In this matter, we believe Volvo Cars is at the absolute forefront and having the company represented at GoCo will contribute to an innovative exchange of information throughout our ecosystem as well as new possible collaborations. We are very pleased to welcome Volvo Cars to the area and GoCo House specifically, concludes Jonas Obert.

GoCo

With the sights set on innovations for the future - GoCo House welcomes Volvo Cars for cross border collaborations. 

At GoCo Arena, academia, industry and the public sector meet to share and exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences. A meeting place and innovation platform that, together with committed partners and actors, invites to discussions and collaborations with the goal of driving the life science industry forward. With Chalmers University of Technology as a new Founding Partner, the process of connecting academia and industry, competence and evidence will be further strengthened, says Josephine Urbath, Project Manager at GoCo Health Innovation City.

- Chalmers has been involved in GoCo Arena since the very beginning, so it is very gratifying that we can now also welcome them as a Founding Partner and develop the collaboration further. Chalmers holds enormous knowledge and scientific excellence, which will be of great value for both the content of the arena and beneficial to the industry continues Josephine Urbath.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and today has 3,000 employees, 11,000 students and a global as well as local commitment that drives innovation for society at large. The entrepreneurial spirit is close at heart at Chalmers, and as a foundation university, Chalmers works to both challenge established systems and to create and spread knowledge and solutions based on a scientific basis.

- To Chalmers, the scientific field where technology meets health is extremely important, says President Stefan Bengtsson. It will become even more important, but it is an area where we already have great strengths today. If you add to that, the Chalmers DNA of combining scientific excellence with collaborative spirit and close relations to the industry and society – then it is absolutely obvious that we should be engaged in the creation of an innovation community for health and technology. 

Chalmers is joining as new founding partner in January 2023.

Chalmers FP

Chalmers announced as new Founding Partner for GoCo Arena

- We have had a close and productive dialogue from start with Västtrafik and Mölndal City and we are incredibly proud and happy to get public transport up and running already. Investing at an early stage, before the majority of travellers are on site, shows a strong belief in the area. Together we now lay the foundation for a sustainable infrastructure enabling GoCo to become a natural part of Mölndal's inner city.

In February 2023, GoCo House will open, followed by the opening of GoCo Clinic and GoCo Care. In 2024, Mölnlycke Health Care's new head office is expected to be ready and in the same year, GoCo Living aims to be completed. When the entire area is completed, it is estimated to include around 8,000 employees, 350 companies and 450 homes. Establishing sustainable habits right from the start was an important starting point in the decision of the new bus stop.

- We continuously work to develop the public transport. Through the change on the bus line 758, we are creating new travel opportunities and we hope this will lead to even more people choosing sustainable traveling in the future. For community development and public transport to really go hand in hand, more collaboration like these needs to happen, says Lovisa Borgström, community developer at Västtrafik.

Mölndal City welcomes the contribution in public transport and has as a further addition developed pedestrian and cycle paths and ”Styr & Ställ”- stations in the area.

- The city of Mölndal has a very positive view on the proactive collaboration taking place between GoCo and Västtrafik. Getting well-functioning public transport at an early stage is always a challenge. The reason why we succeeded in this case can be ascribed to the good collaboration between the parties. In addition, we have secured a higher potential for an increased share of sustainable trips through footpaths and cycleways as well as ”Styr & Ställ”-stations in the area, says Tobias Johansson, strategic traffic planner in the city of Mölndal.




Public transport to GoCo
Starting December 11, the route 758 will include the new bus stop GoCo. In the following years, public transport to GoCo Health Innovation City and the surrounding areas will be further developed to meet the increased need for sustainable travel. More information is available on Västtrafik's website.

GoCo Care

Västtrafik expands public transport to GoCo Health Innovation City

The rapidly growing biomaterial company Promimic is one of the cutting-edge companies that will move to GoCo Health Innovation City in 2023. The company develops, markets and sells biomaterials for improved osseointegration to leading companies in dental and orthopedic implants. The main product HAnano Surface has been developed from cutting-edge research at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. The technology has been shown to improve osseointegration in over 30 scientific studies and with over 700,000 implants in clinical use.

Promimic will move to a newly built office in GoCo House with an area of approximately 630 square meters including laboratories. The move is planned to December 2023 and gathers all Promimic's operations. All employees in Sweden will gather in the new activity-based office with several laboratories specially adapted for the business.


-  We are very happy to take the next big step on our growth journey and realise a world-class combined office and laboratories. The new office is located in GoCo House, which is the signature building of GoCo Health Innovation City. The building is brand new and Promimic has contributed to the design of the offices and laboratories entirely based on their specific needs and will include, among other things, first-class laboratories, flexible collaboration spaces and a fantastic work environment, says Magnus Larsson, CEO, Promimic.


The office is being built to establish a new level of flexibility for the company's work environments that meet the employees' many different needs for collaboration, social interaction, personal focus work, project work and development work. The new office and the new laboratories are activity-based and adapted to meet all the needs of Promimic’s employees.


- We are incredibly happy that Promimic chooses to establish its operations in GoCo Health Innovation City. With Promimic, we gather great knowledge and competence that adds value to the entire ecosystem. We believe in the idea of bringing different actors and people together within life science to create new collaborations and synergy effects. Our ambition is to lay the foundation for exchange of knowledge and give impetus to new collaborations and ideas, says Jonas Obert

- Today Promimic is located on AstraZeneca's BioVentureHub, a place we are super happy with. The company is in a strong growth phase and will outgrow the premises at BioVentureHub. Moving to GoCo Health Innovation City, which is right next to AstraZeneca's BioVentyreHub, means that we will have great conditions for our continued expansion. It also continues to tie us to Gothenburg's leading life science cluster, which further supports our development-intensive business and our ambition to become a global leader in our special area of surface modification of medical implants and biomaterials and to develop new products and support our customers even better, concludes Magnus Larsson.


Promimic2

Promimic1

Promimic moves head office to GoCo Health Innovation City

In February, GoCo House will open the doors to the 21,000 square meters signature building consisting of offices, co-working, research as well as large social areas to promote meetings and the opportunity get together in a creative and relaxing atmosphere. The new restaurant concepts, Nola Bistro and Vigor & Joy café, will both be managed by Coor.

- The food and beverage offer is an important element from several perspectives – to create a vibrant environment, to provide service to tenants and the neighborhood and not least - to contribute to the spontaneous meeting that will lead to new innovative collaborations. With a bistro and café in GoCo House, we strengthen the entire district and can continue to work towards strengthening the future for life science, says Sofia Ekberg, project manager at GoCo Health Innovation City.

Both the bistro and café are focusing on the flavors from the plant origin and the inspiration for the menus is drawn from all corners of the world. The local elements come to mind from nearby collaborations and the symbolic name of the bistro originating from the history of the potato.

- Nola is another name for potato derived from the Alingsås region where Jonas Alströmer lived and worked. The man who is believed to be the one that brought the potato to Sweden. In the same way that the Swedes initially had a difficulty accepting this new root vegetable, the idea with Nola is to showcase the green, sustainable food culture - which many find difficult at first, but fantastic once you get a taste for it. Just like with the potatoes, says Linda Höglund, Head of F&B Innovation and Concept, at Coor, and continues.

- Both the bistro and the cafe signify health and enjoyment, with the ambition to create a healthy experience, without renouncing the good things in life. We will bake and produce a lot ourselves, but also collaborate with artisan bakeries as well as local farms and producers. It has been so exciting and a great source of inspiration to create these two businesses based on GoCo's visions, completely tailored for the district, concludes Linda Höglund.

Nola Bistro will be open for lunch and offer catering and evening events. Vigor & Joy will be open weekdays from breakfast to afternoon.


Both businesses will open in February in connection with the grand opening of GoCo House.


Vigor & Joy

Nola Bistro

Nola Bistro opens in GoCo House

Site offices are usually heated with electricity. It's a real energy guzzler. Despite the advantages of district heating, it is still unusual to use it to heat site offices, due to the initial effort that it requires as well as the need for a water-borne heating system.

Now, BRA Bygg, Wangeskog and Mölndal Energi have joined forces to make the investment to use district heating. The site offices have been rebuilt and will be able to be connected to the district heating network and heated with locally produced, renewable energy. At the same time, capacity is released in the electricity grid. In a time of high electricity prices and the risk of power shortages in the electricity grid, district heating is an especially wise choice.

 - We are happy to make this investment together with Wangeskog and BRA Bygg, says Richard Lundström at Mölndal Energi. GoCo will continue to develop for many years to come and through this initiative they will have long-term access to sustainable heating at a stable price. It is gratifying that more and more people see the benefits of district heating in the construction process. It is an important effort to economize on the electricity capacity we have, concludes Richard Lundström.

Wangeskog Hyrcenter owns the site offices, which will continue to be able to be heated by district heating on future construction sites.

 - Site offices that are heated by using district heating are clearly a step in the right direction with many advantages, especially from a climate perspective. We are very happy to participate in this innovative project, says Magnus Jakobsson, regional manager at Wangeskog Hyrcenter.

BRA Bygg is hopeful that the investment can lead to more projects with similar arrangements in the future.

 - As entrepreneurs, it is important for us at BRA to think outside the box, to see opportunities for innovative solutions to energy problems. It also means that we need to continue working towards increased sustainability together with our suppliers and partners. In this way, we can take steps towards the same goal with greater impact as a result. The collaboration together with GoCo, Wangeskog and Mölndal Energi is an example of an actionable supply chain with many common denominators in the transition towards a sustainable world. Running a construction site cabin with district heating is an exciting example of an innovative solution that creates new opportunities for the future, says Magnus Riemer, Group CEO BRA Group.

 - GoCo Health Innovation City is responsible for a large amount of construction in Mölndal and we want to be a sustainable urban developer in all dimensions. Site offices with district heating is a matter of responsibility and sustainability, says Viktor Bakker, sustainability manager at GoCo Health Innovation City. Here, we are proud to be a small part when our suppliers and partners take great social responsibility by switching to a smarter heating type in current energy crises, while at the same time protecting the climate impact. 



GoCo Construction

Site offices are heated with district heating at GoCo Health Innovation City 

Pretzel Therapeutics is developing innovative therapies by harnessing the intricacies of mitochondrial biology. Mitochondria can be described as the cells' power source and dysfunctional mitochondria are involved in more than 50 diseases, including several severe genetic diseases and many age-related disorders. The company’s upcoming move to GoCo Health Innovation City will provide the space and amenities to allow Pretzel to continue to grow and pursue creation of "first-in-class" drugs that tackle mitochondrial dysfunction.

- Our relocation to GoCo House will be an important milestone for Pretzel. Our expanded footprint will enable us to continue scaling up our R&D operations, while the modern and well-equipped office and lab facility will benefit our recruitment and retention of world-class scientific talent. We look forward to building relationships and fostering innovation within this exciting life sciences community, says Baruch Harris, Chief Operating Officer at Pretzel Therapeutics.

GoCo House is now entering the final phase of construction and is expected to be ready for occupancy in the spring of 2023. The interest in the signature building has been high and both the coworking and office / research areas are now beginning to be filled to a large extent. The key has been to create an area with environments and businesses that will unanimously appeal to researchers, entrepreneurs, and promising talents from all over the world.

- Our ambition is to lay the foundation for a good exchange of knowledge and to spark new collaborations and ideas. From there, new solutions for the health challenges the world is facing can emerge. Pretzel Therapeutics' commitment to GoCo House is validation of the appeal of this unique ecosystem to tenants within the biopharma industry. It is a company we proudly welcome and which, together with other leading businesses, will contribute to a world-class innovation climate, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.


Pretzel_Lab

Pretzel Therapeutics moves  to GoCo Health Innovation City 

BioVentureHub was launched in 2014 as an investment by AstraZeneca to give small and medium-sized companies in life science the best conditions to develop and grow in collaboration. When GoCo Health Innovation City now grows up in close proximity, a circular ecosystem is formed for the industry, says Magnus Björsne and continues.

 - The idea of BioVentureHub is based on bringing companies together to create a scientific synergy. Over the years, we have built up a collaborative culture, which I believe is a big part of the success. The hub is based on openness and the sharing of knowledge, which we see that GoCo will be able to scale up and carry forward. It will be a natural step for companies in the hub to move to GoCo when they have grown too large. In this way, we can then bring new innovators and create a circular ecosystem for growth.

In January 2020, the former minister of economic affairs, took the first sod for the billion investment GoCo Health Innovation City and just over two and a half years later, construction phase one is close to completion and phase two recently just begun. When everything is ready, the area is expected to cover an area of 200,000 square meters with approximately 8,000 employees, 350 companies and 500 homes.

 - Collaboration has been our keyword from the start and is also a foundation for driving innovation, I believe. Together with AstraZeneca and BioVentureHub, we are now creating fantastic opportunities to both contribute to the long-term strengthening of Sweden's position in life science and in the end be able to provide patients with concrete solutions to the health challenges of the future, says Marie Uddenmyr, Director Corporate Relations at GoCo Health Innovation City.

As several companies, that started their journey at BioVentureHub, have announced that they are moving their operations to GoCo House after the turn of the year, the bio-hub is now given an opportunity to make room for new companies.

 - Now we can see the vision taking shape for real. The bio-hub makes room for new ideas and operations while the former companies remain in the ecosystem as a whole. It is exciting when community builders and the life science industry join hands to create the best conditions for tomorrow's innovations. That different industries come together to create something bigger and that diversity and collaboration drive innovation is something we have already demonstrated in the hub, concludes Magnus Björsne.


BIRD EYE 10.

A circular ecosystem for growth in life science

GoCo Arena is as much a meeting place as a platform designed to create collaboration enabling new advances in life science. GoCo Arena highlights health innovation from different perspectives, where representatives from the industry are invited to share experience and visons. As a new Founding Partner, Mölnlycke Health Care will join forces with the board of partners – AstraZeneca, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Sahlgrenska Academy and Wellspect HealthCare – to further develop the Arena's agenda. 

 - GoCo Arena has all the prerequisites to create new innovative collaborations where the outcome of one plus one can become three. As a Founding Partner, we want to contribute with knowledge, ideas and insights that together with the other partners and representatives can result in new sustainable solutions. This in turn will drive the development of healthcare and shape the patient care of the future, says Zlatko Rihter, CEO at Mölnlycke Health Care. 

GoCo Arena is a creative community platform also defining the culture within GoCo Health Innovation City. Exchange of knowledge and ideas where collaborations and common ambitions are at the core and sets the foundation for jointly driving force to important topics and the development of life science in general.

 - Our ambition is to gather different actors from industry and academia to build a strong collaborative platform. We believe that new ideas are born from unexpected dialogues when people start to share experiences and thoughts. In turn, this leads to new unthought-of constellations and collaborations. To have Mölnlycke Health Care joining as Founding Partner is important to GoCo Arena and the development of the cluster. We now look forward to accelerating the power of innovation together with all our Founding Partners, says Josephine Urbath, Project Manager at GoCo Arena. 

Mölnlycke Health Care - Groundbreaking

Mölnlycke Health Care is announced as new Founding Partner for GoCo Arena 

Founded in 2017, OnDosis has developed a proprietary platform enabling a new way of dosing and individualising the administration of medicines. Through a connected hand-held device, integrating medicines with intelligent dosing, the technology ensures that each individual patient receive precisely the medicine they need. The innovation behind the product addresses the need linked to today's use of drugs in pill and capsule form and both revolutionises and simplifies the way medicines are taken.

 - Our product combines the best of traditional drug treatment, medical technology and digital health. In order to grow and achieve our ambitions, it is absolutely necessary to create collaborations and acquire competence in all these life science sectors. GoCo was a natural choice for us, and we look forward to having GoCo Health Innovation City as the base for the journey towards our vision - to revolutionise the way patients take their medicines, says Martin Olovsson, CEO, OnDosis. 

OnDosis started as a spin-off to AstraZeneca and has been a part of the innovation hub BioVentureHub - a breeding ground for small and medium-sized companies in life science. The move to GoCo House after the turn of the year, does not only mean a new and valuable business for the district, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City, but this has always been the fundamental idea with GoCo Health Innovation City - to further develop and expand the already existing ecosystem for life science in Mölndal.

 - Together with BioVentureHub, we form a larger ecosystem for growth in life science. The vision for both of us rests on bringing companies, within the industry, together to enable new ideas and innovations. When companies at the BioVentureHub grow too large, GoCo can offer an extension of the hub - just a few hundred meters away. We are incredibly happy to welcome OnDosis and we look forward to following the company's continued journey. This is a company that really can make a difference, both in the industry and for patients, concludes Jonas Obert. 

OnDosis - product

OnDosis - Martin Olovsson

Medtech company OnDosis chooses GoCo House for its continued growth journey 

 - In GoCo House, we have brought the entire district to life in one single building. As a member, you become part of a larger context where new networks and meetings will open up for new business opportunities. The interest is huge and from what I hear, the idea of collaboration and the synergy effects that are created from there is a big part of the success factor, says Pernilla Andersson, business developer at GoCo and responsible for GoCo Office Hub.

One of the companies joining the Office Hub is Garmin, which with its business area Garmin Health, offers innovative programs in health.

 - We see the establishment of GoCo as an important hub within health, an exciting project that we want to be a part of. There are lots of synergies being in the middle of a network of innovative companies and we look forward to a productive collaboration, says Jan-Åke Arenäs, Managing Director Garmin Nordic.

The Office Hub is located on the first floor of GoCo House, directly adjacent to the restaurant, café, meeting and conference rooms. All to promote spontaneous meetings and collaborations between the companies. For the recruitment company Mpya Sci & Tech, specializing in technology and science, the establishment in GoCo House and the Office Hub will be serving several purposes.

 - First, GoCo’s ambition to nurture interdisciplinary collaborations between Life Sciences and Tech suits Mpya Sci & Tech’s profile very well. Second, Mpya Sci & Tech’s values to be excitedly curious and inclusive fits perfectly with GoCo’s focus on innovation and partnerships, says David Rüdel Regional manager/Talent Advisor at Mpya Sci & Tech. 

Medtech and pharmaceutical consultants Key2Compliance is also on its way to the Office Hub. A rapidly growing company seeing GoCo as a strategic place for its continued expansion. 

 - GoCo is a vibrant center for innovation in life science, which will give us good opportunities to collaborate with partners as well as customers. GoCo House opens up new opportunities for our educational activities and as a part of being an attractive employer, we also want to offer an inspiring and pleasant work environment. We believe that GoCo provides it all, says Jan Hellqvist, CEO of Key2Compliance.

With the Office Hub, GoCo House offers an environment for one-man companies as well as to large international companies. The mix of activities in health and innovation together with a mix of the business sector, academia and healthcare, gathered in one place will be unbeatable, concludes Pernilla Andersson, business developer at GoCo.


The following companies have currently signed agreements with the Office Hub: 
Health Innovation West, Garmin Health, MPYA Sci&Tech, Semcon, HumbleBee, Key2Compliance, YouGoHealthPlan, Lipigon Pharmaceuticals and SciLifeLab/GU. 

GoCo House is expected to be ready early 2023.






GoCo House Interior

Great interest in the Office Hub at GoCo House

I-Tech is the company behind Selektope, a biocide for use in marine coating system protecting the ship hulls from barnacles. The active substance is the result of several years of research where I-Tech have created a unique mode of action repelling barnacles from surfaces. From the turn of the year, the company will move into GoCo House where they see great opportunities to continue the company's journey and in the long run, also find new solutions to biologically driven industrial problems.

 - We believe in the whole idea of bringing different actors and people together within life science to create new collaborations and synergy effects. We have a fantastic organization in place and now we look forward to moving in and scale up, making Selektope the obvious solution for sustainable protection against marine growth in international shipping, says Philip Chabaane, CEO of I-Tech.

The 21,000 square meter signature building, GoCo House, is designed to support collaborations by large public areas and creative meeting environments. For GoCo,
 I-Tech's establishment will be a significant addition that will bring both new perspectives and contribute to the mix of industries and line of businesses for which the entire cluster is built, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City - and continues.

 - It feels fantastic to soon be able to start welcoming all our tenants to GoCo House. I-Tech is an incredibly exciting company that with its success story Selektope shows sustainable innovation at its best.



Philip Chaabane

I-Tech chooses GoCo House and becomes a part of the growing innovation cluster in GoCo Health Innovation City

Evidia is part of an international radiology group, located in Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Baltics. Every year, Evidia Sverige AB perform around half a million radiological examinations with magnetic camera, computed tomography, conventional X-ray, mammography, ultrasound and bone density measurement. In the Swedish market, Evidia primarily conducts operations on behalf of regions and hospitals, but also targets the private sector. By the spring of 2023, the unit in Gothenburg will take place in GoCo Clinic at GoCo Health Innovation City. 

 - The entire investment made with GoCo Health Innovation City feels both exciting, innovative and just right for us. Several of our partners have chosen to establish themselves in the area and we see several opportunities to become part of the context. Patient focus is the core of our entire business and we now look forward to offering a new welcoming environment with both a high technical standard, generous opening hours and not least a professional and safe care, says Christer Ström, operations manager of the Gothenburg region.

GoCo Clinic was designed by White Architects and when the building is completed will be an important element in the Life Science cluster that is now being formed in the new district. By the year 2025, 100,000 square meters will stand ready with several investments and initiatives that will push Swedish health innovation into the future. Establishing different types of performance care at GoCo will be significant for all actors on site, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.

 - The idea of collaboration is the foundation of everything we do here. Whether it is about paving the way for possible exchanges between our residents or collaborating with academia and society at large. With Evidia, we will add an incredibly important business that will be able to support research, assist other healthcare providers with valuable expertise and not to forget - add an invaluable service to patients, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.


Evidia Christer Ström_GoCo Health Innovation City

GoCo Clinic

One of Sweden's leading radiology suppliers, Evidia, chooses GoCo Clinic for its new Gothenburg unit

GoCo Health Innovation City is a joint venture between Next Step Group and Vectura Fastigheter. Together with founding partners such as AstraZeneca, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Wellspect HealthCare and the Sahlgrenska Academy, the ambition is to create a collaborative environment for research, medicine and health where new contexts will accelerate Swedish health innovation. Since the first sod was taken, in January 2020, the collaboration platform GoCo Arena, the housing investment GoCo Living and the office building GoCo House have taken shape in the new district. The area has also welcomed several companies such as Fujirebio Diagnostics, Atleva, Norlandia, Siemens Healthineers, Intelligent Implats, XVIVO Perfusion and today, construction started for Mölnlycke Health Care's new head office.

-	Phase one has progressed incredibly well. We have attracted leading companies and actors to the area who, like us, believe in the idea of collaboration and working together to create new solutions and innovations. In terms of time, we are well ahead of our schedule, so now we look forward to starting phase two where we double both the land area and the investment, says Jacob Torell, CEO of Next Step Group.

GoCo Health Innovation City is being built in close collaboration with AstraZeneca. According to Matti Ahlqvist, Executive Director at Astra Zeneca in Gothenburg, the new district that is emerging will be a great asset for the Life Science industry in Sweden. 

-	A strong life science cluster around our R&D site in Gothenburg is critically important for AstraZeneca and will help us solve future health challenges. Therefore, I am very happy that phase one has been faster than expected and that we are now moving to the next phase of GoCo Health Innovation City, says Matti Ahlqvist Executive director at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg.

The takeoff for the next development phase will be GoCo Active, an Excellence Center with public health, sports performance, medicine and mental illness as focus areas. The center will be a 12,000 sqm building designed by the New York-based architects SHoP - which, among others, has headquarters for Uber and YouTube in its portfolio of world-famous buildings. Here, both research and daily activities around physical activity in relation to living habits will be conducted in collaboration between academia, elite sports and business. Henrik Lundqvist, former NHL player, is one of the investors of the venture.

-	The ambition is to create a place for people to strengthen their physical as well as mental health through collaboration and research. In GoCo Active, different actors meet to share knowledge and expertise that can form the basis for motivating and prioritizing different sectors for better public health, says Henrik Lundqvist, investor and ambassador for GoCo Active.

Martin Fagerström, Professor and Co-director for Health Engineering Area of Advance at Chalmers welcomes the new initiative.

-	For Chalmers, GoCo Active is an important arena where we, through collaboration, can make a decisive difference to human health. From Chalmers, we want to contribute with new technology that enables more people to be active based on everyone’s conditions. As a national sports university with responsibility for sports technology especially, we also see the opportunity to contribute to increased performance among our elite athletes through research and efficient use of our expertise - in collaboration with other players within GoCo Active.

The Sahlgrenska Academy also points out the importance of collaboration - to gather different actors in the same place to create cross-border collaborations.

-	The need for collaboration on future health challenges, within lifestyle-related illness, is well emphasized. At GoCo Health Innovation City, we create cross-border collaborations where academia, business and sports meet in the same place to meet these challenges together, says Mats Börjesson, Professor of Sports Physiology, Department of Medicine and Physiology at Sahlgrenska Academy and director of the Center for Health and performance development.

This spring, Mölnlycke Health Care announced that they are moving their headquarters to the new Life Science district. The new office will stand ready in 2024 and welcome about 800 employees. Today, the first sod was taken for the building.

-	I strongly believe that GoCo, with its cluster of collaborating companies, will be one of the global hotspots for health innovation going forward. It will attract talent both locally and globally and be a true magnet for the entire Gothenburg region. Mölnlycke has a strong history of growth and our establishment at GoCo will strengthen our opportunities to continue that journey, says CEO Zlatko Rihter.


When the entire district is completed, it is expected to cover an area of 200,000 sq.m. with approximately 8,000 employees, 350 companies and 500 apartments. 

Photo: Petra Björstad/GoCo

GoCo Health Innovation City doubles the investment

With just over six months to go until the opening of GoCo House, the list of health innovation companies signing up to maximise opportunities to meet, interact and collaborate is filling up fast. One of these companies is Intelligent Implants, which has chosen GoCo House to accommodate its Swedish subsidiary and to continue its exciting growth journey developing smart systems for orthopedic implants. 

 - GoCo is such an exciting initiative. We have to be a part of it, says John Zellmer, co-founder and COO of Intelligent Implants.

Intelligent Implants was founded in Ireland in 2014 and started its business in Sweden in 2018. The company has been part of AstraZeneca’s BioVentureHub since 2019, from where the multidisciplinary team has been researching and developing electrotherapeutic orthopaedic devices that can be used to stimulate, control and remotely monitor bone growth, for example, after joint fusion or bone fracture surgery. During their time in the BioVentureHub, the Intelligent Implants team has announced new funding and received Breakthrough Device Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 - We have significantly benefited from and enjoyed our time in the BioVentureHub. It has been an ideal environment for us to develop our SmartFuse lumbar spinal fusion system at the intersection of digital medicine and orthopedics. Now, as we expand our business and ramp up efforts to bring our solutions to patients and surgeons, it’s super convenient for us to move next door into GoCo House and continue to be an active part of the exciting health innovation ecosystem that is growing up in and around AstraZeneca. This in itself provides incredible value, says John Zellmer 

To meet diverse business needs, GoCo House will consist of both co-working and permanent offices in varying sizes adapted for everything from one person companies to large global companies. In addition, the office building will offer a lounge, bar, restaurant and café areas, as well as creative meeting and conference environments. The common denominator for the companies on site will be a connection to life science and/or health innovation.

 - This catalyses collaboration opportunities centered around unlocking new solutions to global health challenges, says Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.

 - We operate in a network economy and we strongly believe in the power of meeting to share knowledge and experiences. This forms the basis for the construction of GoCo House. The entire house, indeed the entire GoCo Health Innovation City district, is being planned and shaped to create opportunities for collaboration. We are very happy to welcome Intelligent Implants, a company that is at the forefront of innovative orthopedic solutions. It will be very exciting to follow and be part of their continued growth journey moving forward, concludes Jonas Obert.


intelligent implants pressrelease

Intelligent Implants signs up for GoCo House

Integrum is a publicly traded company with a US subsidiary in San Francisco. Performing continuous research and development, Integrum aims at providing safe medical devices, supporting a more active lifestyle. The company’s implant system, OPRA™, is an innovative method allowing direct connection of an artificial limb to the skeleton with the result giving amputees the ability to once again enjoy what most people take for granted. Free movement and feeling the ground you are walking on.

 - We are thrilled to have companies that are at the forefront of the respective industry moving into GoCo House. It is together that we can create innovation and change the opportunities for tomorrow. With Integrum's expertise and mission, the company will bring a lot of value in itself. Integrum will also be an inspiring business both in terms of collaborations and future world-class innovation, Jonas Obert, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.

GoCo House is designed by architects Semrén & Månsson and will when it's ready become the center of the new life science district. Companies such as Ribocure Pharmaceuticals and Siemens Healthineers have already signed up as tenants and is now joined by Integrum. 

 - We look forward to joining the innovative and collaborative environment in GoCo Health Innovation City. Besides providing us with the space we need for our ongoing expansion, we believe the relocation will make us an even more attractive employer to the best minds in the field,” comments Rickard Brånemark, CEO of Integrum.


Medtech company Integrum is moving headquarter to GoCo Health Innovation City next spring

 - This was an easy choice. The match between our group’s passion and in-depth medtech expertise, and the visionary courage from GoCo promise many exciting projects ahead, says Elisabeth Liljensten, CEO of Devicia.

Through a close collaboration between Clarvin, Devicia, Kickfile, Lea Reg & Limulus Bio the companies offers full-service solutions for MedTech and IVD companies within e.g. strategic guidance, regulatory affairs, clinical investigations, quality assurance and biocompatibility. Next year, the companies move in to GoCo House with the ambition to continue the strong growth with new and existing partners.  

-	We share the same vision as the GoCo community. As nominated experts working globally with standardization, our participation at the table provides our clients with an inside perspective to the changing regulations. This is a fundamental principle for all our companies and we are now looking forward to share our knowledge within the new life science community at GoCo Health Innovation City, explains Sofia Nordgren CEO of Kickfile.

 - The personal meeting is essential. With GoCo House, a new meeting place for life science companies in western Sweden has been created, presenting new opportunities for knowledge exchange. We can’t wait” declares Åsa Runnäs, CEO of Clarvin.

Alexander Kronberg, business developer at GoCo Health Innovation City, welcomes the partner companies and is happy that they have chosen to relocate to GoCo House. 

 - It is gratifying to bring expansive companies to the district, and I’m convinced that the partner groups’ expertise will be valuable in many ways. At GoCo House, there is plenty of opportunities to grow, above all, to grow together. The type of service that the companies is offering is necessary to support the development of life science and I also find that the partner companies will be great contributors to the entire collaboration culture, says Alexander Kronberg.


1J3B5785 fix GoCo Alexander (kopia)

GoCo Health Innocation City exterior

Sofia Nordgren, CEO Kickfile at GoCo

GoCo House Welcomes MedTech-Exclusive Advisors to GoCo Health Innovation City  

 - As a member of the Office Hub you become part of a context where spontaneous conversations and meetings will open new doors and support new opportunities. The workplace is curated for networking and since we target the life science industry specifically, we believe that exchanging ideas and knowledge will help grow new business initiatives. No matter whether you are here regularly or only occasionally, you get an inspiring office environment with all conceivable services and amenities needed to make everyday life a little easier, says Pernilla Andersson, Business Developer at GoCo Health Innovation City. 

In addition to a flexible and vibrant workplace, the Office Hub offers fully equipped meeting rooms, relaxed lounge seating and access to GoCo Arena, who is facilitating the platform that will drive the innovation culture in GoCo.  You can quickly move in, grab s seat for the day and take part in all exciting events and happenings on-site. 

Please reach out to Pernilla Andersson for more information about a membership at the Office Hub, or inquiries about private office facilities. Mail: pernilla.andersson@goco.se



GoCo Interiors Reception 

GoCo House is designed by the architectural firm Semrén & Månsson with the ambition of becoming a collaborative meeting place for the region’s and national players in medical and health development. The 21,000 square meter office building will include public spaces, such as a restaurant, café and lounge, co-working spaces, offices and various venues for conferences and meetings.

Moving in is planned for December 2022. 


Work, create, inspire. GoCo presents the Office Hub, a co-working space for entrepreneurs within the life science industry 

GoCo Active, GoCare, GoCo Living, GoCo House - and GoCo Clinic. The new district GoCo Health Innovation City continue investments with a majority of initiatives driving Swedish health innovation and life science into the future. The interest from both the industry, the business sector and the society has been enormous since the first sod was taken. Several residents are now ready to move in as buildings and development work are being completed. One of these is Ribocure Pharmaceuticals, which develops precision medicine through small interfering RNA (siRNA). Briefly described, it is about being able to turn off specific disease-causing genes and thereby cure both more uncommon genetic diseases as well as common diseases such as high blood pressure and high blood fats, etc.

"Our ambition is to put Sweden in the spotlight within oligonucleotid therapy and to conduct global clinical development here in Mölndal. At GoCo Clinic, we will conduct innovative proof of principle phase 1B and 2 studies and at the same time drive global product and business development, all on the same floor. So far, we have succeeded to reduce the development time from 8 years to less than 2 years in terms of going from idea to patient. I only see opportunities with the establishment at GoCo Clinic, from here we can become one of the leading companiesin Europe", says Li-Ming Gan, CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB.

The establishment is strategically important for the area as a whole and is welcomed by Jonas Obert, Business Developer at GoCo Health Innovation City.

"Ribocure Pharmaceuticals is an incredibly exciting company that will bring a lot of value to the area and not least - to the outside world in general. The basic idea for GoCo Health Innovation City is based on finding new paths to innovation and companies like Ribocure Pharmaceuticals can make this possible by bringing both knowledge and ambitions creating synergy effects throughout our community."

GoCo Clinic is an 8,000 square meter center for care and research, expected to be completed in the spring of 2023. The building is designed by White Architects.

Li-Ming Gan och Jonas Obert

Ribocure Pharmaceuticals moves into GoCo Clinic - putting Sweden in the spotlight within oligonucleotide therapeutics

GoCo Health Innovation City is a billion-investment in new R&D and health innovation environments. The district will be further strengthened at the turn of the year, when GoCo House, the signature office building with 21,000 sqm of office space, large public areas and creative meeting settings, will help support collaborations and spontaneous conversations. A collaboration is now being initiated with Coor to complement and further develop the building by adding its own food and beverage concept.

- We're delighted to present Coor as the operator of the building’s food and beverage experience. We share the same high level of ambition when it comes to food, drink and service. The restaurant businesses in GoCo House will be an essential ingredient in creating a location that is both inclusive and vibrant, says Sofia Ekberg, project manager at GoCo Health Innovation City.

GoCo is making major investments in sustainability with the goal of being climate neutral by 2030. A goal that Coor also was able to meet in its ideas about the food experience and how to develop the food and beverage offering.

- We were truly impressed by Coor’s approach to our sustainability profile and our criteria for food and beverage, both in terms of experience and how the same can contribute to sustainable urban development in general, Sofia continues.

The entire ground floor of GoCo House will be a public area with a lounge, bar, restaurant and café where guests are invited to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.

- Getting the chance to further develop GoCo’s ambitions is both inspiring, honorable and gratifying. With the inspiring environments, many social areas and a modern, sustainable food and beverage concept, we want to create a place that feels similar to the home kitchen. A place for creativity, to gather energy, to socialize and of course to enjoy good food, says Linda Höglund, Coor Head of F&B Innovation and Concept.

GoCo Health Innovation City is a billion-investment initiated by Next Step Group, Vectura Fastigheter and AstraZeneca. The vision is to create a place for global leadership in Life Sciences where collaboration and new research environments help accelerate Swedish health innovation. The first tenants will move into GoCo House at the end of 2022. The restaurant concept will be launched in the fall and the first guests will be welcomed early next year.

Coor at GoCo Health Innovation City

Linda Höglund, Coor Head of F&B Innovation and Concept

Gastronomic sustainability in focus at new GoCo restaurant

Gastronomic sustainability in focus when GoCo House presents its restaurant operator

Moderator, Ingmar Skoog, Professor and Chief Physician of the Center for Aging and Health (AgeCap) at the University of Gothenburg, began the day by highlighting the importance of analyzing aging and looking at what it means when 70 has become the new 50. Ingmar Skoog himself is behind the often quoted “70 is the new 50” and has also been leading the research in the H70 studies, one of Sweden's largest population studies. In the studies, 70-year-olds born in different years, have been examined and followed continuously with the aim of mapping and studying the possibilities for preventive measures and prejudices around aging - both from an individual and societal perspective.

-	Health has changed over time and today's generation of elderly is both physically and mentally stronger than previous generations. Today's 70-year-olds have a physical and intellectual capacity like a 50-year-old, 30 years ago. With this, we must also learn more about the elderly and ask ourselves what this should mean for elderly care providers - and whether they are prepared or not. Soon enough the punkrockers will move into the nursing homes, says Ingmar Skoog.

In today's Sweden, every fifth habitant is 65 years or older and the average life expectancy is over 80 years for both men and women. This means that an increasing part of the population already is getting older and the population itself has a greatly improved ability compared to previous generations. This shift comes with both challenges and opportunities to follow, says Ingmar Skoog.

-	There are many aspects of aging to consider. To take advantage of the elderly's experience and knowledge is one and to adapt the care of the elderly and make it more meaningful is another. We need to start looking at elderly care in a new way and we need to realize that we need people of all ages in a workplace. The older we get, the more different we become, this also makes patient-centered care important, Ingmar Skoog continues.

AstraZeneca started the Health Works initiative with the intention of improving patient-centered care. An initiative where they use a broader approach to take health beyond medicines - from preventive examination, to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Raising the patient's voice and understanding that every human being needs to be listened to from their perspective for future development, says Matti Ahlqvist, Executive Director Gothenburg Site, AstraZeneca. 

-	We need to think more about adaptation and be open for dialogue with the patient when we design solutions for the future. To listen, learn and understand each person from their point of view. To succeed in this, we must also work together. Both with the people whose health challenges we want to solve and by involving healthcare professionals as well as researchers and decision-makers - all based on the common goal of improving human health, says Matti Ahlqvist.

Marie Uddenmyr welcoming people at GoCo Arena

The day continued with interesting presentations from Norlandia, Wellspect HealthCare and Fujirebio Diagnostics that described their investments in elderly care, research, and development work on subjects such as the aging bladder and bowel as well as Alzheimer’s and cancer diagnostics. This was followed by Mia Ekdal, Head of Relations & Communications, AstraZeneca Health Works, who moderated a panel discussion to address how caregivers and industry can work together to find beneficial solutions and business models that work in real life.

Conny Mathiesen, Business Area Manager at Norlandia, also confirmed the need for increased individualized elderly care. Conny Mathiesen also pointed out the importance of a faster implementation, going from development to practice. Today, it can take up to 17 years before an innovation reaches 50% of the target group, a figure that speaks its own clear language.

The day was also visited by Anders Johansson, Head of movement disorder section department of Neurology at Karolinska University Hospital. Age is a risk factor in Parkinson's and several studies has shown that physical activity is beneficial to prevent illness. Anders Johansson produced the world's first pilot study of how table tennis can affect Parkinson's disease. The sport sets high demands on both fast movements, balance and being able to think tactically - factors that might make table tennis particularly favorable to prevent Parkinson's. 

The Swedish Table Tennis Association was also represented in the crowd to highlight creativity and playfulness. To encourage movement, a ping pong table was set up during the lunchbreak, where former world champion and now national team captain for the men's national table tennis team, Jörgen Persson, stood for both entertainment and guest play-offs. Table tennis truly is a sport that unites and makes people come together. Something that also sums up the day: When people come together in new context, ideas take shape to find new solutions for tomorrow’s health challenges.  

Ingmar Skoog, professor at Gothenburg University speaking at GoCo Arena

GoCo Arena April 2022

GoCo Arena - A healthier future for the aging generation

A healthier future for  the aging generation 

With the official start of GoCo Living, the growing GoCo Health Innovation City is now taking another step towards the future. Mölndal, just south of the city of Gothenburg, is seeing the dawn of a new district combining dedicated areas for living as well as working. This will be a novel way of creating a joint hub for scientists, entrepreneurs and citizens alike, showing the way for future urban planning. The residential area is owned by the property company Trenum and will be managed by Fastighets AB Balder. 

-	At Balder we are very proud to be a part of this new and exciting district. The location is fantastic and through cooperation, and a common ambition to create a vibrant district, together we complete the plan for GoCo Health Innovation City. I look forward to seeing our three blocks filled with tenants, says Erik Selin, CEO at Balder.

For Mölndal, the new emerging district means a valuable contribution driving development, not only for the city but for the entire region, says Carina Kloek-Malmsten, Head of business development at Mölndals stad. 

- The GoCo Health Innovation City means incredibly much to Mölndal and GoCo Living is a fantastic addition to the district that will further increase the attractiveness. In addition, this will strengthen the brand of Mölndal and contribute to more visitors as well as relocating residents and companies.  

The first block Spina, which in Latin means spine, will be a solid foundation for the future residential area as a whole. GoCo Living will also be an important part for companies, enabling housing for coworkers. 

-	With GoCo Living, we add an important piece to the area overall, this is a true milestone for the continued development of the district. The new residential area brings a lively urban environment to the site in general and also meet the housing needs for GoCo, which we hope will attract scientists and entrepreneurs from all over the world, says Jacob Torell, CEO at Next Step Group. 

Spina will contain approximately 170 tenancies in 4-10 floors, from square-smart one room apartments to spacious fours. On the ground floor, there will be premises for example café and simpler restaurant businesses. The block will be provided with solar cells and be certified according to Miljöbyggnad Silver rating. Like the rest of GoCo, socializing and well-being are cornerstones in the residential project. All three blocks will have beautiful courtyards providing spaces to meet and talk. Tornstaden, the turnkey contractor for Spina, is now looking forward to starting construction. 

-	We are very proud for the trust and to be a part of the development of GoCo Health Innovation City. We now really look forward to creating a great neighborhood together with the other parties involved, says Staffan Waldenström, CEO at Byggnads AB Tornstaden.

GoCo Health Innovation City is already home to world-class health and life science companies. Here, world-leading projects in medicine and health run alongside sustainability projects in both infrastructure and climate-smart travel. All projects are driven with the ambition to support companies, partners and prospective tenants to minimize their environmental impact and contribute to a climate-neutral area by 2030. 

GoCo Health Innovation City is a billion-investment owned by Next Step Group, property company Vectura and AstraZeneca. The three blocks in GoCo Living are owned by the property company Trenum, which Fastighets AB Balder and The Third Swedish National Pension Fund each owns 50 percent of.

Facts about Spina
Construction start: Spring 2022
Planned occupancy: Moving in will take place in stages from the summer of 2024. 
Number of rental apartments: Approximately 170 tenancies 

Next block: Axis and Atlas
Construction start: Spring 2023
Planned occupancy: Moving in will take place at the end of 2025. 
Number of rental apartments: A total of approximately 300 tenancies 

For images, interviews and press related questions, please contact: 
Moa Dicksdotter, Media Relations GoCo 
moa.dicksdotter@goco.se, 0768 988 301

Eva Jonasson, Media Relations Balder
eva.jonasson@balder.se, 031-10 79 44

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Spina block at GoCo Living which in total will contain approximately 470 rental apartments

Construction start of GoCo Living a new residential area in the innovative GoCo Health Innovation City

Construction start of GoCo Living, a new residential area in the innovative GoCo Health Innovation City

The signature building GoCo House will stand ready by the end of the year. A large number of residents are expected to commute to the district. To enable sustainable commuting, GoCo Health Innovation City and Nudgd collaborate to provide the digital platform Resvana.

GoCo is making major investments in sustainability with energy-efficient buildings, electrical charging stations, mobility hubs and several other climate friendly services to reduce the carbon footprint with the expectancy to be climate-neutral by 2030.

GoCo wants to encourage sustainable travel habits through nudging. The digital tool Resvana uses nudging to facilitate more sustainable travel and gathers information and suggestions for cycling, walking and public transportation.

By collaborating with Resvana, GoCo wants to promote the development of an innovative and sustainable district in Mölndal, making it easier to achieve increased well-being and climate-friendly habits.

- It is incredibly fun that an innovative workplace like GoCo chooses Resvana to help its residents create sustainable travel habits! We look forward to the collaboration and jointly inspire more people to choose walking, cycling or public transport, says Natalie Kamra-Kregert, project manager for sustainable mobility and Resvana, Nudgd

Contractors already commuting to GoCo Health Innovation City are offered Resvana to identify how to commute more climate friendly. GoCo wants to offer the possibility of leaving the car at home and choosing other, more sustainable means of transportation.

- For us as city developers and property owners, taking responsibility for the climate and human health is extremely important. Being able to offer new travel habits is an important part of this. Everything from commuting to work with the researcher who lives in the area in a few years, to the construction worker who today is thinking about how he or she can combine cycling with commuting. With Resvana, we have been able to simplify the process of talking about these issues with everyone who comes to the area, to be able to nudge into a more climate-smart behavior, says Viktor Bakker, project manager at GoCo Sustainability & Infrastructure.

Resvana

GoCo Health Innovation City collaborates with Resvana to encourage sustainable travel habits.

In 2024, Mölnlycke will relocate the headquarter to the 16 000 sqm new building that offer capacity for 800 employees. The new office space is located at the heart of GoCo and will offer a flexible working environment to meet the needs of the employees for collaborations and project work as well as for socializing and networking.

- We are delighted to take the next steps towards realizing a new head office in world-class. The new headquarters will be built from scratch and will be entirely based on our needs and will include, among other things, a first-class R&D facility, flexible collaboration spaces and a fantastic working environment says Zlatko Rihter, president and group CEO at Mölnlycke.

MHC signing

GoCo Health Innovation City is proud that Mölnlycke has chosen to relocate its headquarters to the growing life science city.  For GoCo, Mölnlycke contributes to further strengthen the position as a world-leading life science cluster.

- We are very proud that Mölnlycke, in competition with a large number of opportunities in the region, has chosen GoCo for its new headquarters. We clearly see that many players in life science are showing interest in being part of the continued development of GoCo, which is of course fantastic. Now we look forward to seeing the construction take off and soon fill the area with life and movement, says Joel Ambré, CEO of Vectura and Head of GoCo Health Innovation City.

Atrium MHC

GoCo Health Innovation City, equally owned by Next Step Group and Vectura Fastigheter, is a billion sek investment in new research and development environments, where a new district is being built with a focus on research and health. The area is permeated by co creation and innovations. The vision is to create a place with the potential to take a global leadership within Life Science.

- The relocation to GoCo Health Innovation City also means that we will be even closer and more linked to Gothenburg's leading life science-cluster, further supporting our R&D intense business and our ambition to become a global leader in medical products and solution, to serve our customers even better, says Zlatko Rihter.