He joined Industrifonden in March 2022, after 25 years of business development within both life sciences and tech.
What are you most looking forward to doing/working with in your new role?
“I look forward to partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to build successful companies from unique Nordic innovations. Industrifonden has an evergreen structure, which is a great advantage in life science with long development timelines.”
“The value of the team cannot be emphasized enough if you aim to take an innovation to market leadership in the U.S. and other markets.”
You founded Moberg Pharma in 2006, and was also the CEO of the company. What did Moberg Pharma’s business journey teach you that you can use in your role as CEO of Industrifonden?
“The value of the team cannot be emphasized enough if you aim to take an innovation to market leadership in the U.S. and other markets. With the right level of drive and expertise, the team can navigate ups and downs, complex R&D, tough competition, financing, global deal-making and most other challenges.”
You have also been involved in the business journeys of other life science companies, for example A3P Biomedical and MedUniverse. What would you say are the greatest strengths and greatest challenges for Swedish life science companies right now?
“Great science and a culture of non-hierarchical teamwork are strong assets. The funding gap is a significant challenge. We also need to carefully build teams with a productive mix of academic excellence and entrepreneurial industrial drive.”
What are the biggest differences between the U.S. and the Swedish financial landscapes within life sciences?
“The sheer size of the U.S. market creates many differences and allows investors to specialize. I have always been impressed by the preparedness and level of insight you get in meetings with U.S. investors, but we are getting there, with several experienced teams and some recent additions in the Nordic arena. A major difference has also been that public market financing has been available in Sweden also for companies that would benefit from staying private longer.”
“Exceptional innovations require exceptional people, which will be reflected in the quality of strategy, plans and the investors you will attract.”
What is your best advice to an up-and-coming Nordic life science company looking to raise capital and grow?
“Exceptional innovations require exceptional people, which will be reflected in the quality of strategy, plans and the investors you will attract. Don’t hesitate to contact us or other VCs early in the process for guidance.”
Photo of Peter Wolpert: Charlie Bennet
