Meet the people shaping life science in Gothenburg — featuring individuals who bring unique perspectives, drive innovation, and inspire both local and global impact.
With a thriving ecosystem of companies, research institutions, and infrastructure, Gothenburg has become a natural hub for international collaboration in life science. One of the people who sees the region’s potential is Montse Daban Marín, Strategic Foresight Director at Biocat and a key figure in the development of European innovation clusters.
“Gothenburg stands out for its ability to collaborate across boundaries – between academia, industry, and healthcare, but also internationally. This makes the region both relevant and attractive in the European life science landscape,” says Montse Daban Marín.
Montse has extensive experience leading strategic development in life sciences at a European level. In her role at Biocat – the Catalan organization coordinating one of Europe’s most prominent life science clusters – she works to promote collaboration, innovation, and foresight in health and biomedicine. As Chair of the Council of European BioRegions, she also has a unique overview of Europe’s innovation ecosystems.
PRECISEU: Precision Medicine in Practice
A concrete example of the kind of international collaboration Gothenburg is part of is PRECISEU – a Horizon Europe-funded initiative to accelerate implementation of precision medicine accross EU. The project brings together leading actors from six European regions, including Sahlgrenska Science Park, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Business region Gothenburg.
“PRECISEU shows how academia, healthcare, and industry can jointly accelerate the development of personalised diagnostics and therapies. The fact that Gothenburg is a core partner here speaks to the region’s international weight in life science,” says Montse.
The project emphasizes bringing innovation directly into healthcare – and doing so in a sustainable and patient-centric way.
Global Health Hackathon: Gothenburg as a Meeting Ground for New Ideas
Another example of Gothenburg’s role as an innovation hub is the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon, which is a key initiative within PRECISEU aiming to accelerate innovation. Also here Biocat have played an active role. The event brings together participants from around the world – researchers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students in a cross-sector collaboration – to address global health challenges.
“This is a fantastic initiative where Gothenburg demonstrates its ability to drive engagement. For Biocat to be part of this is a clear sign of the city’s growing international relevance,” Montse says.
A Key Player in Europe
In recent years, Gothenburg’s life science sector has grown significantly – in terms of companies, investment, and international collaboration. To Montse Daban Marín, the city is an obvious actor on Europe’s life science map.
“What Gothenburg has built – through players like Sahlgrenska Science Park, GoCo Health Innovation City, and its strong academic connections – is a world-class platform for innovation. That’s why Biocat and the European BioRegions are eager to collaborate with this region,” she concludes.
Montse Daban Marín, Director of Strategic Foresight and International Relations, Biocat