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The Swedish government releases their life science strategy

2019-12-18

Focus on precision medicine and ATMP

The 12th of December 2019 the Swedish government released a report on their national strategy for life sciences. The Industry and Trade, Higher Education and Research and Social Affairs ministers released a joint report pledging that;

”Sweden will be a leading life science nation. Life science contributes to improving the health and quality of life of the population, ensuring financial prosperity, developing the country further as a leading knowledge nation and realizing Agenda 2030.”

The report builds on Sweden position as a knowledge nation that has long invested in equal health and healthcare, research and innovation resulting in financial wealth, improved health care and improved population health. This along with Sweden’s world-class research and research infrastructure, high-quality international healthcare system, competitive business environment and world leading in innovation argues for continued investment to make Sweden a leading life science nation. Competence development and recruitment of individuals with knowledge in technology and medicine will be key to complementing Sweden’s strength in collaboration between business, university and the public sector. 

”Today’s healthcare is yesterday’s research and today’s research is tomorrow’s standard treatments in health care”.

The report highlights recent advances within precision medicine, including the curing of previously untreatable cancers. It continues to describe the novel potential of gene and cell therapies (so-called advanced therapy medicinal products, ATMP), for curative options for those on lifetime treatments or with no treatment options. The report addresses the challenge of transforming public financing and pricing systems to replace chronic treatments with high cost curative treatments having the potential to decrease long term costs to society. The government recognises the potential of ATMPs to be accelerated through clinical trials due to significant efficacious benefits for patients with limited options but caution the importance of follow-up and regulations-based knowledge building. A call for increased knowledge around the costs and the uncertainties associated with ATMP is made and a need for new business and investment models. 

We are very pleased that ATMP is an integral part of the governments committment to Life Science and Precision medicine towards continuing to strengthen Sweden’s healthcare, quality of life, finacial prosperity and reputation as a leading knowledge nation. The report outlines the need for many activities, such as establishment of innovative research, capacity for product development, development of regulatory processes and financial models, all of which are currently being addressed in ongoing projects within CAMP and Swelife-ATMP. We look forward to continued governmental support in our field.

https://www.regeringen.se/informationsmaterial/2019/12/en-nationell-strategi-for-life-science/