Interview with Jessica Martinsson, CEO at SwedenBio
Just over a year into her role as CEO of SwedenBIO, Jessica Martinsson is determined to raise the profile of Sweden’s dynamic life science sector—both at home and on the global stage. With a strong innovation base and a thriving start-up scene, the Swedish biotech industry holds great promise, but challenges around capital access and international visibility remain. In this interview, Martinsson shares her vision for strengthening the ecosystem, supporting growth-stage companies, and ensuring that Sweden’s life science achievements get the recognition—and investment—they deserve.
What were your main goals and priorities for SwedenBIO when you took over as CEO in March 2023, and have they changed?
My goal when I started as CEO of SwedenBIO was to be the loud voice of the Swedish Life Science industry. We are now being invited to many of the public fora, both in formal and informal roles. I also see that SwedenBIO will have a role in the general understanding of the industry where we have been strengthening our analytical work with reports describing the industry. I would say that the goals has not changed and we are making good progress in getting there.
What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the Swedish biotech industry today and in the future?
With the risk of only echoing what others have been pointing out over the last years but access to capital is still a challenge for many companies. But this has also made a lot of companies being forced to streamline and focus which I hope in the end will result in a more viable business. Those companies that has managed to get the very best return on the limited funds are geared up for the future.
How does the Swedish life science sector compare in international competition?
We have a strong starting point with a high level of innovation, a high degree of industrial competence but we need to make sure that we get to be heard at the international scene. Many countries with a far less strong life science profile are stepping up their national presence and the Swedish companies need to be given the chance to do the same. This is one of our key policy questions at SwedenBIO for the moment.
What measures can SwedenBIO take to improve access to capital and support for start-ups and smaller companies?
From the ecosystem perspective Sweden has established a strong arena for start-ups where the first tranche of investments is possible to achieve. The challenge lies ahead of these companies when they see the chance to scale-up the company for accelerated growth. Here we support our member companies with their international outreach to get access to capital. We do that by organizing international delegations and side events at global partnering meetings, but our main contribution is the Nordic Life Science Days where we let the Nordic companies showcase their innovation to investors and pharma scouts.
Which innovations and technologies do you believe will have a significant impact on the life science sector in Sweden in the coming years?
I will refrain from pointing at certain technologies or innovations, but I would like to point at the impressive output from the Swedish ecosystem. Many different sources show how we punch above our weight again and again. I strongly believe that several of all these opportunities and assets will make it all the way to the market. We need to have as many shots on goal as possible.