The Stockholm region is investing heavily with the intention of becoming a world leader in biomedicine and biotechnology. The new Stockholm BioScience project will create the required conditions for establishing a secure base for biomedical and other research - with up to 8 000 jobs spread among 250 000 square metres - in central Stockholm. The cost of rebuilding the entire area has been estimated as approximately SEK 20 000 million, much of which is accounted for by the Stockholm BioScience project.

By covering over and building above some of the north-bound arterial road, it is hoped to create the necessary conditions for one of the world's most exciting environments for biomedicine and biotechnology. In the immediate vicinity of this area are three renowned universities; the Karolinska Institute, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (the Royal Institute of Technology) and Stockholm University. All are taking part in the project, which is also supported by Teknikbrostiftelsen (the Stockholm Foundation of Technology Transfer), a public foundation for improved knowledge transfer between the academic world and industry. The political will to implement this project is also apparent at the highest level.
"What we are aiming to create is not a traditional Science Park, instead this will be a venture that forms part of the
city of Stockholm", announces Hans Wigzell, Vice-Chancellor of the Karolinska Institute and Professor John Skår, who developed the project.
"Proximity to beautiful natural surroundings, a rich cultural life and good communications provide us with a fantastic opportunity to attract all kinds of business."
International experience shows that the very fact of being close to a dynamic university can be a decisive factor for a successful partnership between research and business.
It is planned that the first buildings will be ready in 2005, designed and built so as to create as perfectly as possible a creative meeting between the minds of various professional categories and interests.
New business in the biotechnological field is showing healthy growth in this region. Stockholm Bio Science has the ambition of becoming the natural home of, for example, the newly started biomedical and biotechnological companies that in some cases are at present housed in temporary premises. In addition, new businesses are foreseen through increased co-operation and interaction between the various areas of research being undertaken by the three universities.
"With the prominent position already occupied by Sweden in such areas as gene cell, cancer and neurological research, Stockholm BioScience could well develop into a leading knowledge centre. This would also elevate the status of the whole Uppsala-Stockholm-Södertälje region from an international perspective," continues Hans Wigzell.

Note to editors:
The project will be presented on a joint Swedish stand at the Biotechnica Trade Fair, to be held from 9-11 October in Hanover.

Reception:
Location: Hall 3, Exhibition stand D56, Swedish Pavilion
Time:Tuesday, 9 October, from 16.30 until 18.00

Caption:
In a centrally placed triangle between Stockholm's universities and colleges, about SEK 20 thousand million is to be invested in the Stockholm BioScience project. The aim is, in direct connection with the Karolinska Institute, to create one of the world's foremost centres for biomedicine and biotechnology.

For further information please contact:
Ola Björkman, Project Manager
Stockholm Bio Science,
Centre for Medical Innovations
Karolinska Institute
Nobels väg 15a, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46-8-728 74 97, Fax: +46-8-30 05 92
Mobile: +46 70 245 74 97, E-mail: ola.bjorkman@cmi.ki.se