West Sweden takes bold step to bridge ATMP competency gap with new strategic roadmap
Sweden is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) by 2030. A newly released report, “Addressing the ATMP competency gap: A cross-sectoral roadmap for West Sweden”, outlines a comprehensive plan to build the specialized skills required to advance this rapidly evolving field.
Developed through extensive collaboration among healthcare, academia, and industry, the roadmap identifies the critical competencies needed to propel ATMP development. It calls for ambitious, coordinated action to strengthen education, foster innovation, and accelerate training initiatives across the region from 2024 to 2027.
“ATMPs are the future of personalized medicine, but their complexity and global competition demand a highly skilled workforce,” says Kristina Levan, Director of the Sahlgrenska ATMP Center. “This roadmap positions West Sweden to drive health innovation, benefiting patients while securing the ability to develop and retain top talent in this critical area.”
Key highlights of the roadmap:
Strengthening ATMP education: Enhancing university curricula, vocational training and interdisciplinary research on ATMPs.
Targeted training initiatives: Developing tailored programs for healthcare and industry professionals.
Public awareness: Promoting understanding of ATMPs among policymakers and the public.
Long-term collaboration: Establishing a regional ATMP training center and fostering partnerships across sectors.
The action plan has already secured SEK 10.4 million in funding from the European Social Fund to support healthcare personnel training, with an additional funding application submitted to the European Regional Development Fund.
The roadmap will be delivered in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, thereby contributing to broader advancements in ATMP development.
“This initiative demonstrates the power of co-action and cross-sector collaboration,” explains Josefin Klingvall, Head of Project Partnerships at Sahlgrenska Science Park. “Together, we are laying the foundation for a thriving ATMP ecosystem in West Sweden that will accelerate health innovation across the Nordics and beyond.”
As the world races to harness the potential of ATMPs, West Sweden is poised to lead by example. This roadmap is not just a plan—it’s a call to action for stakeholders across Sweden and internationally to join forces in shaping the future of healthcare.
Core contributors
AstraZeneca
CCRM Nordic
Chalmers University of Technology
Faculty of Science at the University of Gothenburg
Sahlgrenska Academy, the faculty of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg
