On Top of Europe
Life Science is a thriving business sector in Denmark. The country is home to major pharmaceutical companies as well as many small and medium-sized biotech enterprises with a strong position in R&D. The Life Science sector in Denmark also comprises a medical technology industry known abroad for its large, global companies manufacturing disposables, assistive and diagnostics devices.
The Danish biotech cluster is spearheaded by Medicon Valley, one of Europe's strongest life science regions, comprising of a dense cluster of universities, hospitals and companies. Denmark has a long tradition of close collaboration between basic research institutions, academic and commercial researchers, and a number of highly skilled and very strong companies. The country is one of the European leaders in terms of drug development - Denmark has the third largest commercial drug development pipeline in Europe in absolute numbers.
Life Science Strongholds
Denmark excels in clinical research by having a very committed and dedicated population. 85 clinical sites per million inhabitants makes Denmark the best country in Europe, and third best in the world, to implement clinical trials. Furthermore, unique data systems make it possible to combine data from various data registers across different areas, e.g. personal identification numbers, the National Patient Registry, health economic statistics and diagnosis registration in general practice. Additionally, it is possible to combine various registers like the personal identification number with clinical trials making it possible to connect personal information such as address, income, gender, age etc. with samples from biobanks. For example, the Danish Cancer Registry contains information and biological samples of all Danish cancer patients from 1942 to present day. This is an internationally unique resource, which makes it possible to follow an entire nation's cancer development. This is the key incentive behind why Denmark is one of the leading countries in Europe within personalized medicines programs.
It all Started with Agriculture
A longstanding agricultural tradition starting with beer, cheese and pork, created a research industry in Denmark 150 years ago. Since then, research and research methods have developed and become more sophisticated, and today, for example within cancer research, Denmark is internationally comparable to Boston and Washington D.C.
Cancer research is especially strong within breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer but it also plays a significant role within malignant melanoma, testicular, lymph node, and bone marrow cancer. One of the causes for the Danish virtuosity is excellent ties between different cancer research groups in both academia and industry.
Also in the field of Central nervous system (CNS) and neuroscience, Denmark is a frontrunner and the neuro-cluster is combining strong academic research with a major pharmaceutical presence. Denmark has outstanding research within Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, pain and anti-depression, and has a high concentration of world-class CNS drug development companies, besides being home to one of the world's leading CNS companies.
Furthermore, Denmark plays a vital role within the areas of metabolic diseases, inflammatory and infectious diseases, vaccines and immunotherapy, and industrial biotech (white biotech), where Denmark has more than 100 years of long standing tradition for both research and development.
Innovative Solutions for Medical Technology Companies
A leading knowledge and growth industry with a sustained focus on R&D and a substantial export share amounting to more than 90 % of the total medtech production in Denmark that is - briefly described - the characteristics of the Danish medical technology industry. Skilful and visionary companies, universities and a public health sector in a continued process of designing new products and solutions for diagnostics, therapy and care have resulted in the industry experiencing continuous growth. Due to a particular focus on R&D, design and innovation, market testing, high-tech production and strong user-producer linkages, Denmark has become one of Europe's leading medical technology industry nations.
The industry players thrive on user-driven innovation, always focused on translating the needs of the users into the development and manufacture of state-of-the-art products characterized by ease of use, convenience, safety and increased quality of life. Collaboration, whether it is with the users or other industry players, is an area where Denmark excels, and one sees a strong and unique interplay between the educational institutions, the public health sector and the industry, creating synergies between R&D of new products and companies. The fact that 75 % of all start-ups within the industry are spin-offs from the Danish educational institutions not only demonstrates the strength of the research and education undertaken, but also emphasizes the strong and unique interplay within the industry.
Everybody Has the Right to High Quality Innovative Products
Equality and same rights for everyone are fundamental principles of the Danish society. These principles are also reflected in the industry where the assistive devices industry due to a socio-political will, ensures that equal opportunities for people with disabilities are provided. This has resulted in an industry focused on developing the highest quality products from the design and production of wheelchairs, beds, inventory and lifting equipment to hearing aids and implantable devices which restore functionality to patients with central nerve damage.
Within diagnostics, Denmark offers excellent possibilities of creating some of the world's best products due to strong capabilities within a broad area of engineering and medical disciplines combined with a unique ability to work across different disciplines. With regard to medical disposables, Denmark offers a strategic location near industry leaders plus an area characterized by continued innovations, technological development, design, simplicity and functionality. One example of collaboration, technological development and innovation is the Electronic Patch, a Danish initiative among universities and industry gathered in an innovation consortium for developing a technological platform where electronics, sensors, antenna and battery are integrated in a monitoring system embedded in an adhesive skin-friendly patch for distant surveillance of patients.
Business Environment
With a corporate tax rate of 25 %, competitive business costs and some of the world's most flexible labour market conditions, Denmark is an attractive choice for foreign investors. Add to this a very simple procedure for establishing a business and the presence of a highly skilled and motivated workforce. Result: Some of the best possible conditions for doing business and establishment.
Invest in Denmark
Invest in Denmark - the official investment promotion organization in Denmark - is focused on the Danish life science industry and assists foreign companies in establishing R&D activities, production and regional headquarters in Denmark.
