Greater Bergen: A growing HUB for medical testing

Greater Bergen has a long history of healthcare projects. Did you know the PCR test for Corona and the discovery of the leprosy bacillus and the guidelines to avoid sudden infant death syndrome originates from Bergen?

Confirmed in new report

A recent report, commissioned by cluster participants in the Greater Bergen, concludes the region still has a both well-functioning healthcare sector and a world-leading research community.

The community has launched “Testbyen Bergen”, an open, collaborative environment for healthcare companies, researchers, and startups, offering access to medical testing facilities for trials of new technologies, treatments, and medical devices in real-world conditions. By fostering partnerships between academia, industry, and healthcare providers, “Testbyen Bergen” can help you accelerate the journey from lab to patient care—leading the way in improving global health outcomes.

Research Unit for Health Survey (RUHS) assists researchers and research groups to conduct clinical studies on healthy volunteers, and patients with medical conditions that does not require hospital infrastructure. The core facility was founded in 2017 and is a cooperation between the University of Bergen and Helse Bergen, and was partly funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation.

The report, carried out by EY, is the starting point of a cohesive strategic effort to facilitate a health industry growth in the region. You can download the report here. The regional report is supported nye a healthcare initiative from The Norwegian government, with 15 measures to enhance the Norwegian healthcare industry internationally.

Robust community

At the heart of Greater Bergen’s test facilities is a thriving research community. The core is The University of Bergen (UiB) and Haukeland University Hospital (HUS). They are both leading centers for medical research, particularly in fields such as cancer diagnostics, precision medicine, and molecular biology. Their collaborative approach with private enterprises ensures a dynamic environment for testing and developing new medical technologies.

For inctance you will find The NorTrials Brain Health centre here. The centre has broad expertise and long experience in drug trials and clinical studies and will facilitate the placement of studies in hospitals with the right expertise and access to relevant patient populations. The NorTrials centre aims to provide a prompt and reliable response to industry inquiries promoting for participation in clinical trials. The goal is to include Norwegian hospitals in relevant studies to ensure that the participating centres deliver the expected number of patients and quality according to agreements with sponsors.

Haukeland is also a partner in NorCRIN, a Norwegian national research infrastructure body whose primary objective is to strengthen and simplify collaboration in all categories of clinical research in Norway.

Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital is currently carrying out a field trial on intelligent sensor technology for real-time respiratory monitoring. 

Just a stone’s throw from Haukeland is Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital; also offering advanced medical testing and research opportunities. Known for its strong focus on patient-centered care and innovation, Haraldsplass collaborates closely with academic institutions and private companies to support cutting-edge research in diagnostics and treatment. The hospital is a leader in the use of digital health technologies and data-driven approaches, providing an ideal environment for clinical trials and medical testing. Its modern facilities and specialized departments make Haraldsplass an attractive partner for businesses looking to develop and test new medical technologies in a clinical setting.

In the same location you find Eitri, an entrepreneurial ecosystem for startups, researchers, health professionals, industry, investors and students. Eitri members share the benefit of 2400m² of meeting rooms, kitchenette, office space and wet lab, primary culture, and hardware labs. ​

In addition to the ecosystem, Eitri can give you access to a professional network by with proximity to 12.000 health professionals and more than 500 PhD students and 500 researchers, and their international networks.

In walking distance, you also find the health cluster Alrek Helseklynge, bringing together academic institutions, healthcare providers, research environments, and private companies to address key challenges in health and healthcare delivery, and Research Unit for Health Survey (RUHS,) who assists researchers and research groups within different fields, in cooordinating and conducting various clinical studies.

Alrek Helseklynge's primary goal is to improve healthcare systems by integrating research and practical applications, creating a platform for knowledge sharing and the development of new health solutions. Located near the University of Bergen, the cluster leverages the expertise of various stakeholders to drive advances in health innovation, education, and policy-making, benefiting both local and global healthcare industries.

Access to biobanks and clinical data

Another of the region’s key assets is the Norwegian Research Center (NORCE), a national leader in health research and innovation. NORCE specializes in translational medicine, helping to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications. This partnership-driven approach provides businesses with a fast track to test and validate new diagnostic tools and treatments in a real-world healthcare setting.

Norway can also supply you with reliable, high-quality health data. The Norwegian health authorities have made extensive investments in large population-based surveys, creating an outstanding resource of medical samples and lifestyle data. This is made possible by various health registries for research purposes, and the inhabitants’ high level of trust and confidence in data management at research institutions and companies.  The Norwegian Health Data Program, headquartered in Bergen, is streamlining access to clinical data from hospitals and health authorities. This offers researchers and businesses unparalleled resources to support the development of new diagnostics and personalized treatments.

A supportive ecosystem

The region’s well-established ecosystem for life sciences and biotechnology is another advantage for companies looking to expand their medical testing operations. Innovation hubs such as VIS can also support ypu by providing access to networks, funding, and resources to help drive innovation in medical technology.

Moreover, Bergen is a s location within the Norwegian Smart Care Cluster and can introduce companies to a broader network of healthcare professionals, research institutions, and investors. This collaboration fosters the development of new medical testing technologies, from early-stage research to clinical implementation.

Greater Bergen presents a wealth of opportunities within the medical testing sector. With strong government backing, including initiatives from Innovation Norway, the region offers financial support and incentives to companies involved in health innovation. These programs not only accelerate product development but also provide a pathway for businesses to scale their operations internationally.

The technological hub at Osterøy has companies with solid competence on how robots can be used in healthcare and is also a part of the Greater Bergen community. Photo: Morten Wanvik.

Invest in Bergen can connect you

As Greater Bergen continues to expand its capabilities in medical testing, the region is poised to become a global leader in health technology. Its unique combination of cutting-edge research, access to clinical data, and a supportive innovation ecosystem make it an attractive destination for companies and investors in the medical testing industry.

Whether developing novel diagnostic tools or conducting clinical trials, businesses in Greater Bergen are finding the resources and expertise they need to thrive in this rapidly evolving field.

For more information on opportunities in Greater Bergen’s medical testing sector, don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors. We would love to connect you with the right partner!