Connecting brain science & business

The importance of research-driven innovation and innovation clusters was a major topic at the 'Helse- og omsorgskonferansen' that took place in Stjørdal in November 2011.

Among the invited speakers were two of Norway's most merited neuroscientists and Nansen Neuroscience Network members, Geirmund Unsgård (St. Olavs Hospital/NTNU and Sonowand) and Kenneth Hugdahl (University of Bergen/Haukeland University Hospital and Nordic Neuro Lab).

The lectures given by Unsgård and Hugdahl are available for streaming from the Innomed webpage. Both of them describe the research- and technological needs underpinning their drive for innovation, the history of pioneering collaboration, and the interconnection between the clinical setting, the research activities and the early stages of commercialization.

	Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen (Photo: Anders Bayer, OUS)

For Nansen Neuroscience Network members, three of the other lectures were of particular relevance: In her welcome address, Minister of Health Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen expressed the political priorities towards innovation in health care and research-driven innovation. The director of South Eastern Norway Health Authority, Bente Mikkelsen, discussed the role of research and innovation in the health care system. Her mention of innovation clusters and Nansen Neuroscience Network can be found 8 minutes into the presentation. Karita Bekkemellem, director of the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Norway, also stressed the role of innovation clusters in establishing viable networks between research- and industry partners (8 minutes into the presentation).

Several of the other presentations which are now available for streaming at the Innomed website are highly recommended. Particularly recommended is the 'Innovation Professor' Sjur Dagestad, who in a very amusing way presents a universal formula for success in innovation.

Go to lectures

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