Today H.R.H Prince Carl Philip handed out a research grant of 260 000 SEK to five recipients on behalf of Lilla Barnets fond (translated: The Small Child’s Fund) in Stockholm, Sweden. Prince Carl Philip is the official protector of the fund. The recipients of the research grant included pediatricians, researchers and professors who are important to the advancement of neonatal care.
The Small Child’s Fund is a new pro bono client of Schwartz Stockholm. Schwartz Director Annica Holmberg represented Schwartz Communications today at the ceremony at the Swedish Society of Medicine in Stockholm.
“This is a charity close to my heart, having had the need for neonatal care for both of my children,” said Annica. “Neonatal care has advanced during the past 20-30 years but in spite of this, almost one baby in neonatal care dies every day in Sweden. I applaud the efforts of the Fund, Prince Carl Philip and the recipients of the grant. I’m proud that Schwartz Communications supports this worthy cause.”
Posted by Kristina Ebenius on October 28, 2010 at 1:16 PM
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Written by guest blogger Karl Hultén, Schwartz Stockholm
An extensive analysis, based on a recent survey, confirms that the Swedish medtech industry is highly innovative and evolving. The export share of the industry is high, 86 percent, and the U.S. is seen as the most important market.
Within the next three years, the number of new products is expected to rise by 24 percent. Most companies in the survey are involved in diagnostics, cardiovascular therapies and orthopedics. The survey was conducted by the research firm Synergus at the request of Swedish Medtech, Invest in Sweden Agency, SwedenBIO, Innovationsbron and VINNOVA.
In August, 2009, 96 Swedish medtech companies responded to questions about business prospects, corporate structure and number of products and projects to be developed. The answers indicate that the industry is gearing up for international growth.
Companies in the survey estimate a 24 percent increase in number of products on the market by 2012. Smaller sized companies tend to be more involved in the development of new products than larger companies. A majority of the participating companies regard the development of international sales as the biggest challenge.
Clinical evidence is essential for 74 percent of the companies and the number of clinical trials is expected to grow dramatically over the next three years.
The Swedish and U.S. markets have a long history of co-development and synergy effects. Over the coming years this bond is expected to grow even stronger.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat. In Europe alone at least 25.000 people die each year because of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. On February 9, 2010 Göran Hägglund, Swedish minister of Health and Social Affairs, held a press conference in which he said that “Every year 3 000 people die unnecessarily in Swedish health care, due to lacking routines.” Most of these casualties are caused by hospital acquired infections. Bactiguard is a clinically proven product for preventing these types of infections. It consists of a thin metal alloy which is antimicrobial and biocompatible. This coating can be applied to any medical device. This is a Swedish invention that unlike most other medical devices also is produced in Sweden. It is a very interesting product with a lot of potential because of the great challenges that lie ahead in working against the spread of multiresistant bacterial infections.
There is always a risk of contaminating wounds in the operating room. Dust can carry with it multi-resistant bacteria that sometimes cause lethal infections. Preventing infections could lower readmission and mortality rates and save hospitals large expenses. Airsonett has developed a unique technology for infection control in operation rooms (Opragon) based on clean room technology. The company also applies the technology in prophylactic treatment of allergic asthma (Protexo). What’s interesting and unique is that Airsonett now challenges the big pharmaceutical giants. Their products could compete with long term treatment of asthma (inhaler), which is a big deal. The company has its roots in the clean room industry (AirSon AB) but has now moved into these new and exciting fields.
We spoke with Bjarte Reve, CEO of Oslo Cancer Cluster. The Norwegian cluster is a collaboration between pharma, biotech, research institutions and hospitals, patient groups and other organizations committed to making a difference for cancer patients.
Check out what Bjarte had to say about their initiative.
Suffering from a cold, with a severely stuffed nose and light fever, I stumbled into a grocery store in my native country, Sweden. I was baffled to find that nose sprays and pain/fever relievers were not sold in the store. I actually had to go to a government owned pharmacy to purchase my remedy even though these were clearly OTC products.
This was in the early 2000s, and I had been living in the U.S. since 1995 and, apparently, forgotten about the Swedish pharmacy system faster than I could say “gesundheit”.
Sweden is according to a United Nations ranking of 154 nations, the most advanced nation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). We pride ourselves for being extremely savvy on the tech side. Even though we’re known as a nation of early adaptors, we have clearly fallen behind in other areas.
But this is all in the past, today we’re facing a whole new reality. From July 1, 2009, there will be both government and private pharmacies in Sweden. They expect the deregulation of the Swedish pharmacy system to lead to more pharmacies, better opening hours as well as lower prices on pharmaceuticals due to price pressure. Go figure what some healthy competition can do!
However, many of us Swedes like our pharmacy system – at least the part of it with really competent staff. We feel safe in our pharmacy and feel comforted by the familiar look and feel. On the other hand, we do look forward to go to the corner store when the cold hits a late evening to pick up some OTC products (imagine the thrill of not having to wait for office hours). From November 1 this year, OTC products like allergy/cold medicine and pain relievers will be available for sale outside of pharmacies for the first time.
We will be following the developments on the Swedish pharmacy market with great interest. To be continued!
