Health and life science

The Norwegian healthcare sector and health industry encompass a wide range of technologies and therapeutic areas and have a strong tradition in cancer research and treatment, focusing on personalised medicine and pioneering AI.

Norway is home to robust healthcare infrastructure and extensive health registries and enjoys a high level of trust, resulting in reliable, high-quality health data. As one of the Nordics, Norway is at the centre of the world’s leading health data region.

Norway has strict regulatory standards and is home to advanced facilities that optimise efficiency and reduce costs. Its expertise and investments in state-of-the-art manufacturing enable broader global access to radiopharmaceuticals. Moreover, Norway’s large deposits of rare earth elements offer promising opportunities for developing thorium-based radiopharmaceuticals in the future.

Norway boasts a strong pool of experts, a thriving startup scene and robust international collaboration networks, making it a valuable hub for knowledge-sharing and training in the global radiopharmaceutical industry.

The Norwegian Radium Hospital, which is part of Oslo University Hospital, is renowned for clinical excellence and innovation that has led to the establishment of some 40 small and medium-size enterprises. The integration of explorative, clinical and commercial research is a key focus of the Oslo Cancer Cluster and the Life Science Cluster. 

Norway is home to leading neuroscience communities in Oslo and Trondheim, of which the Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience (CMBN) and Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience are the most prominent examples.

Read the success story of Xofigo, the world’s first alpha therapy product

Due to demographic changes, providing enough healthcare personnel to look after the elderly is a major challenge, which will intensify in the years ahead (source: WHO | Health workforce). This is driving the development of technologies that will enable elderly people to live independently and be cared for at home.

Many Norwegian companies are involved in researching and developing solutions for digital care and ambient assisted living (AAL). Telemedicine and other distance-spanning solutions enhance AAL as well as reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare. For more information on AAL-related companies and activities, visit the Norway Health Tech website.

Norway is a global leader in in vivo imaging for diagnosis and image-guided intervention. Norwegian companies Nycomed and Vingmed Ultrasound, now part of GE Healthcare, were pioneers in contrast agents and high-resolution cardiovascular imaging.

The Centre for Innovative Ultrasound Solutions at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology carries out cutting-edge research in ultrasound and MRI. Meanwhile, the Intervention Centre at Oslo University Hospital explore the integration of imaging technologies in clinical practice. Both are open to international collaboration.

Read the article series on the global reach of Norwegian ultrasound innovation

Norway is home to one of the world’s oldest health registries, and there is ahigh level of trust and confidence in data management in Norway. There are few obstacles to using medical information from various health registries for research purposes, and Norway is working to better utilise this data for healthcare. This ensures a vast, secure data platform for medical enterprises for the foreseeable future.

The Norwegian Centre for E-health Research is one of the world’s leading centres of research and innovation in e-health. Moreover, the Norwegian health authorities have invested extensively in large population-based surveys, creating an outstanding source of medical samples and lifestyle data.

Norway is positioned to be at the forefront of the next wave of innovation, thanks to its world-class companies that develop and manufacture sensor technology like Laerdal Medical and clusters such as Norway Health Tech. There is immense potential in combining such sensor technology with quantum technology, as quantum technology can enhance the capabilities of sensors, leading to breakthroughs in healthcare.

North Norway’s vast distances, high transport costs and extreme environment make it an ideal place for testing health technology for emergency Arctic care and remote care. Due to geopolitical factors leading to the expansion of the Norwegian Armed Forces and more NATO exercises such as “Cold Response”, opportunities are opening up for testing advanced military health technologies and fostering civilian-military healthcare collaboration.

Read about Norway’s pioneering role in Arctic medicine

Norway is home to clinical trial units in hospitals and clinics that are designed for complex and early-phase trials. Norway’s skilled doctors and nurses are known for high-quality, timely clinical research, and there is a strong public willingness to participate in clinical trials. Moreover, Norway is renowned for oncology research and has a specialised network for paediatric clinical trials. NorTrials simplifies access to information and industry-funded trials, which can be registered in its Feasibility portal. Meanwhile, Nordic Proof, managed by Norway Health Tech, provides a “one-stop shop” for testbeds across the Nordic region.

Find out why Norway is a premier destination for clinical trials

We have a very good overview of the health and life science industry in Norway, and we can assist you with information, network, site selection and more.