Denmark's foundation-driven biotech surge pulls Swedish startups across the Øresund, outpacing Nordic peers

Denmark, and in particular its capital Copenhagen, is emerging as the leading biotech hub in the Nordic region, outpacing its neighbours in investment and talent development.

Swedish biotech startups are increasingly relocating to Copenhagen, attracted by higher salaries and a more robust private-capital environment than they find at home.

By contrast, Norway and Finland have smaller biotech ecosystems that focus more on radiopharma, medical technology and broader tech sectors.

Industry observers credit three pillars for Denmark's growth – a deepening talent pool, cutting-edge scientific programs and aggressive capital allocation, notably from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which continues to fund seed and growth-stage companies.