Greater Helsinki has developed into one of the leading life science hubs in Europe. It has impressive figures to present: more than 300 companies employ close to 4000 people and generate a revenue of more than one billion euros.
There are 7 universities, 7 universities of applied sciences and several research centers in Greater Helsinki. The biocenters in the region provide an excellent research environment for scientists and incubator companies offer facilities and services for startup companies in close vicinity of strong basic research. This has enabled health and neurotechnologies to become ones of the fastest growing industries in Finland and opened interesting prospects for completely new innovations.
Within the last three years over 35 cross-boarder investments were made in health and neurotechnology companies in Greater Helsinki.
Life science greenfield FDI in Greater Helsinki 2010 – 2013
2013 LabStyle Innovations (USA) – Nordic headquarters for mobile health application developer
2013 Bioventus Finland Oy (USA) – biologics and clinical therapies business transferred to Helsinki
2013 Mallinckrodt Netherlands Holdings B.V. (USA) – Sales office for pharmaceuticals company
2013 Nordicinfu Care AB (Sweden) – Sales office for medical devices and pharmaceuticals
2012 FMI Medical Systems (FMI Technologies Inc.) (USA) – R&D and sales office to Helsinki
2012 Omegawave (USA) – Corporate headquarters
2012 Pfizer Animal Health Finland Oy (USA) – animal health subsidiary for pharmaceuticals company
2012 Adxto Oy (Sweden) – New office for health care services company
2012 Quattromed Finland Oy (Estonia) – New branch for medical services company MediCap Holding AS
2012 Covance Clinical and Periapproval Services Limited (USA) – New branch office
2011 Bayer (Germany) – New Nordic regional HQ in Espoo
2011 Shire Finland Oy (UK) – New office for genetics business for Shire Pharmaceuticals
2011 Scandinavian MediCopter Ab (Sweden) – New representative office for air ambulance operator
2010 Astellas Pharma (Japan) – Representative office for major pharmaceutical company
Growth capital investments into Greater Helsinki in 2010 – 2013
2012 Tekes and angels invested EUR 0.6 million (1st round) for Wellness Foundry Holding Ltd
2012 Finnvera, University of Helsinki & Jonathan Knowles invested EUR 1.24 million for Hermo Pharma
2011 Global Health Partner AB (Sweden) become a minority shareholder in R-Klinik
2011 Capital Research & Management Company (USA) increased stake in Orion to 5.1%
2011 Life Science Partners (USA/NL) invested EUR 8.1 million (B round) for Mendor diabetes company
2011 3I GROUP PLC (UK) invested Onemed Group Oy (value unknown)
2011 Healthcap AB, Lundbeck, Capricorn (BE, DK, SE, US/NL) invested EUR 13.4 million in Nexstim Ltd
2010 Scope Capital Advisory AB (Sweden) invested EUR 7 million in Footbalance Ltd
2010 HealthCap AB (Sweden) invested EUR 4 million in Oncos Therapeutics
2010 Atacama Labs Ltd received EUR 1.3 million investment (investors undisclosed)
Mergers & Acquisitions in Greater Helsinki during 2010 – 2013
2013 Otto Bock Scandinavia Ab (Sweden) acquired prosthesis manufacturer Respecta Oy
2012 Venn Life Science Ltd (Ireland) acquired clinical trials company Encorium Bio Oy
2012 Trivitron Helathcare (India) acquired diagnostics company Ani Labsystems
2012 PE Stockholm AB (Sweden) acquired medical equipment wholesaler Applied Biosystems Finland Oy
2012 Mainio Vire (owned by HgCapital – UK) acquired care homes group Pienryhmäkoti Silmula Oy
2012 Addtech AB (SWE) acquired life science consumables and instruments supplier Leica Nilomark Oy
2012 Evidensia Djursjukvård AB (Sweden) acquired Univet Oy veterinary clinics
2011 Sartorius AG (Germany) acquired the liquid-handling business of Biohit Oyj
2011 Pihllips Plastics Corporation (USA) acquired Medsize Oy, medical packaging company
2011 Midsona AB acquired vitamins and supplements manufacturer Bio-Vita Oy
2010 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (USA), Finnzymes Oy, diagnostics
