Life science is one of Sweden's most important business areas. At Vinnova, we map developments among Swedish life science companies to capture trends and identify future needs. Through funding and strategic initiatives, we contribute to strengthening research, innovation and competitiveness in the area. Here you will find our offers, assignments and analyses around health and life science in general.
Health and life sciences
Life science contributes to better health, innovation and competitiveness. Through research, development and collaboration, future diagnostics, treatments, medicines and technologies are created that strengthen people's quality of life and Sweden's position as an internationally leading life science nation.
What is life sciences?
Life science encompasses activities that aim to understand, preserve and improve people's health through research, innovation and application of new knowledge. The area includes, among others, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics and digital health. Through collaboration between academia, business, healthcare and the public sector, solutions are developed that strengthen people's health, contribute to a sustainable society and increase Sweden's international competitiveness.
Government assignment in life science
Vinnova has several ongoing assignments in life science.
The program Avancerad life science
In July 2025, Vinnova was commissioned by the government to establish a programme for Advanced Life Science. The program will strengthen Sweden's position in future life science through increased collaboration, strategic technology development and faster conversion of research results.
The program brings together companies, academia, research institutes, technology infrastructures, healthcare and other relevant actors to strengthen innovation capacity and develop a strong life science ecosystem. The goal is to translate research and technological breakthroughs into innovations, investments and solutions that strengthen Sweden's competitiveness and improve people's health.
The program strengthens the development of next-generation technological solutions through research, innovation and collaboration in advanced biotechnology, such as cell and gene therapies. The initiative also includes the establishment of CCRM Nordic, a national node for the development and commercialization of advanced therapies.
The work is carried out in close collaboration between business, universities and research institutes, with significant co-financing from industry. The government's effort comprises SEK 35 million in 2025, SEK 52 million in 2026, SEK 77.5 million in 2027 and will be gradually expanded to SEK 113 million per year during the program period.
Why is the Advanced Life Science Program needed?
Sweden has strong research, high innovative capacity and world-leading expertise in several areas of life science. At the same time, international competition for investments, talent and innovation is intensifying. The program will contribute to strengthening Sweden's competitiveness and ability to translate research and innovation to the benefit of people, business and society.
Vinnova will continuously report on the implementation of the program to the Government Offices and submit an interim report on the assignment no later than March 2028. The program will also be followed up by collecting relevant data for future evaluation.
The mission to follow the Swedish life science sector
Since 2021, Vinnova has been tasked with developing methods to identify, describe and monitor developments in the Swedish life science sector. The task also includes producing statistics and analyses that make knowledge about the sector more accessible and useful.
In an era of rapid technological development and increased global competition, access to reliable knowledge is important for well-founded decisions in business, research and innovation policy. Through regular surveys of Swedish life science companies, a knowledge base is created that provides a comprehensive picture of the sector's development, strengths and challenges.
Statistics and analysis for future decisions
Vinnova analyses the Swedish life science sector and develops methods to monitor its development over time. The work is carried out in close dialogue with companies, industry organizations, authorities and regions.
The surveys contribute to a long-term knowledge base that strengthens the possibilities for conducting analyses, setting priorities and making well-founded decisions. This creates better conditions for developing Sweden's competitiveness and position in life science.
Vinnova reports statistics and analyses to the Government Offices annually. Every third year, starting in 2024, the reporting will be supplemented with an in-depth analysis of a particularly relevant area within life science.
Take part in the reports
- Report 2026- published here October 21, 2026
- Report 2025
Strong growth, technology development and export in Swedish life science | Vinnova - Report 2024
Swedish life science is growing and exports are increasing strongly | Vinnova - In-depth report 2024
Statistics on Swedish life science companies, deeptech companies in life science, in-depth reporting
Assignment to report on how Vinnova contributes to the national strategy for life science
Since 2025, Vinnova has been tasked with reporting on how the agency has contributed to the goals of the national strategy for life science (KN2024/02228). This will be reported in the annual report for 2025.
Read the updated life science strategy
Read the evaluation of five years of work within Visions for a healthier society | Vinnova
Projects and initiatives
Vinnova supports various initiatives within health and life science, both through its own calls for proposals and European co-funded partnerships.
In 2021, eleven Vinnova-funded innovation environments were launched with the mission of creating accurate solutions within health. The investment of SEK 320 million provided funding for between two and a half to five years.
Innovation environments for accurate solutions within health
In 2024, another 95 million SEK was invested in six new environments, this time in precision medicine.
Precision medicine environments
In 2026, Vinnova is investing in creating long-term conditions for companies, academia and other relevant actors to be able to develop sustainable innovative technologies, products and processes in life science.
Innovative solutions of the future in advanced life science
In 2026, Vinnova will invest in supporting small and medium-sized companies' use of technology and research infrastructures.
Utilize infrastructures for innovation in life sciences
In 2026, Vinnova will provide support to collaborative projects in health and life science that develop and test innovative solutions for healthier and more resilient societies.
Collaborative project for healthy and resilient societies | Vinnova
Clusters of Excellence
Vinnova is tasked with working with clusters of excellence for strategic technology, with the goal of Sweden becoming a world leader in selected technology areas. These are relevant to life science, such as biotechnology.
Other national and international initiatives
Vinnova is part of several national and international initiatives, programmes and partnerships within life science:
- European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA)
- European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed)
- Horisont Europa, cluster one: Health
- Innovation environments for more accurate solutions in health
- Medtech4Health
- Collaborate internationally in health
- Swelife - We work for a strong life science sector in Sweden
Looking for a specific project?
Reports
Contact
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Last updated 9 September 2026