With its free, high-quality public health service, and pioneering life science companies and academic institutions, Denmark’s focus on health is known globally. The triple helix of collaboration between government, private sector and academia has created a particularly fertile life science ecosystem, now known as Copenhagen Life Science. Such an innovative partnership ensures the development of new health solutions, exemplary public health, and domestic growth and jobs. But its ambitions go beyond the borders of Denmark, toward securing better health globally. Copenhagen Life Science believes in the strong value of hosting global life science congresses in Copenhagen that are levers and platforms for strong knowledge dissemination, showcasing of solutions and sharing research. Coming together during these live events cements partnerships and enables the creation of new networks that lead to stronger innovation and long-term, positive impacts — ultimately empowering better health for all worldwide.
Copenhagen Life Science believes in the strong value of hosting global life science congresses.
The case for Copenhagen as the capital of life science is a compelling one. Not least due to the historic way that Danish academic institutions and the public and private sectors support each other. Formalizing this relationship under the banner of Copenhagen Life Science, in 2022 the Danish government invested 82 million Danish kroner ($11.7 million ) to strengthen and promote the capital’s life science sector and the many projects falling within its remit. The high degree of trust, transparency and collaboration between the public realm, industry and academia oils the wheels of developing new treatments and health tech, making Copenhagen an attractive destination for international life science companies.
The high degree of trust, transparency and collaboration between the public realm, industry and academia oils the wheels.
When it comes to creating, testing, scaling and exporting new health solutions, Denmark has an enviable track record. Denmark is number one for biotech R&D and the number of clinical trials per capita in Europe, thanks to a strong life science industry employing more than 48,000 people. Here, you’ll find nine life science universities with nearly 24,000 students, producing 5,742 PhDs every year. You’ll also find 28 hospitals of which 11 are university hospitals. It is also the place where more than 580 life science companies are headquartered, including 300 biotech companies and 138 medtech companies. All this means that some of the world’s top researchers, clinicians and academics also call Copenhagen home. In an environment that revolves around innovation, collaboration and transparency, new ideas can be easily tested and introduced to the global market.
Digging deeper, it is evident that international companies, professionals and public bodies alike can all benefit from being immersed in Copenhagen. The city’s structure and setup ensure any life science congress has the potential to make a positive impact before, during and after the physical event. It is both the rich life science scene and the livability of the city that make Copenhagen the capital of life and science. Indeed, in 2021 Copenhagen topped media outlet Monocle’s list of the world’s best cities for quality of life. This was the fourth time Denmark’s capital has won the honor since the survey began in 2007.
The city’s structure and setup ensure any life science congress has the potential to make a positive impact.
Easy infrastructure
Arriving in Copenhagen, you’ll be able to get into the middle of the city within 13 minutes due to the expansion of the metro’s City Ring. Thanks to an efficient public transport system, you’re never more than 20 minutes from any congress location. The city is smart, clean, safe and sustainable, with most Copenhageners getting around by bike. Large parts of Copenhagen are pedestrianized, and you’re never far from natural spaces — be that an urban beach with clean water you can swim in, or an intercity park where you can relax beneath the trees.
Safety is paramount
In 2021, Copenhagen was named the world’s safest city by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in its Safe Cities Index (SCI). The SCI ranks 60 cities worldwide across five continents. It measures the multifaceted nature of urban safety, with 76 indicators organized along five pillars: personal, health, infrastructure, digital and environmental security. Copenhagen is known for its open-minded people and strong acceptance of diversity. As one of the fairest, most equal cities in the world, those visiting can expect to feel safe and secure in all locations at any time of day or night.
Congresses with impact
Copenhagen Convention Bureau’s award-winning innovation project, Copenhagen Legacy Lab, has been recognized globally for its work with ensuring a long-term, positive and sustainable impact from international congresses. It assists congress organizers and destination stakeholders in developing actions and activities that can deliver benefits for not only the congress participants, but for local and global society at large. A recent case Copenhagen Legacy Lab assisted with was The European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), at its ESPGHAN 54th annual meeting. The congress included more than 4,000 delegates from around 100 countries. Copenhagen Legacy Lab activities included a family education day, a talent workshop and the establishment of a research fund. ESPGHAN will, due to the success of the family education day, integrate the concept as part of future congresses.
With a thriving model for executing on tomorrow’s health solutions, Copenhagen is primed for further life science innovation. Add the crown of safest and most livable city, and Copenhagen looks set to be the hub for any number of life science congresses taking health solutions into the future and contributing to health equality around the world.
Take your next event, meeting, or congress to Copenhagen — the capital of life and science. Get support from a personal consultant at: [email protected]
Or visit: copenhagenlifescience.com
Discussion about this post