Gothenburg, Sweden – October 24, 2024
Today marks the exciting launch of the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon (SGHH) at Park Annual in Gothenburg, kicking off a year-long, global collaboration (co-action) focused on addressing critical global health challenges.
SGHH unites individuals from across three continents, six countries, and nine healthcare innovation hotspots-bringing together students, researchers, professionals, innovators and passionate individuals from all industries who share a common goal: tackling some of the world’s most challenging healthcare issues.
With the theme “Co-action Addressing Global Health Challenges,” the hackathon centres around five key areas:
Participants in Sweden, Spain, the UK, the USA, Germany and Singapore are encouraged to leverage personalized medicine, AI and data-driven solutions to catalyse innovative ideas addressing the five hackathon challenges. Each selected hackathon location is a recognized hub for healthcare innovation, amplifying the event’s potential for global impact.
Cecilia Edebo, CEO, Sahlgrenska Science Park:
“The Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a step forward in addressing the global health challenges we face today. This hackathon aims to bring together a diverse community of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs from across three continents. It’s about harnessing the power of co-action to develop real-world solutions for healthcare systems under pressure. This event is also an opportunity to spotlight Gothenburg, Sweden, as a leading hub for global health innovation, working collaboratively to create lasting impact.”
Boubou Hallberg, CEO, Sahlgrenska University Hospital:
”We are leading a major transformation in healthcare and there are a lot of challenges that need to be solved. Being part of this initiative that promotes innovation, where people around the world will work on our common global challenges, is important for us. I am looking forward to all the exciting results that we will get from the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon.”
Patrik Andersson, CEO, Business Region Göteborg:
“The life science sector plays a key role, in Gothenburg and worldwide, for society’s ability to give future generations a better life. But we must increase the pace of innovation, unite talents and professionals in technology, healthcare and life science to innovate together. The Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a brilliant example of how academia, industry and the public sector can attack big problems and trigger innovation together. I am thrilled for the engagement we have received from global companies, and locations around the world, in this Gothenburg initiative.”
The Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon will host a series of global events over the next year, culminating in a grand finale at the NLS Days conference in Gothenburg in October 2025.
For more information, please visit visit the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon web page.
GERMANY: 24-25 May 2025
Göttingen: MediqInnovation & Life Science Factory by Sartorius
On October 24, we welcomed Benjamin Golub-Overbeck from The FAIR Elephant to share his expertise on effective research data management. He demonstrated how RDM can save time, drive innovation, and boost collaboration—turning data into a powerful competitive advantage.
We’ve prepared an interview with Benjamin Golub-Overbeck to make sure those who couldn’t join the session can still benefit from his insights.
What are some common misconceptions that start-ups have about managing their research data?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that there are more pressing priorities than taking care of your data, and that it can be dealt with later. In reality, the opposite is true. As a start-up grows, its data can quickly become messy and unclear. It’s also a misconception to assume that everyone already knows how to handle data efficiently, and therefore guidelines are unnecessary. Addressing research data management (RDM) from the start leaves start-ups prepared for challenges in the future.
When it comes to protecting intellectual property, many start-ups prefer to store their data locally. Do you think this is necessary, or can cloud storage solutions be used securely for research data management?
The belief that local storage is inherently safer than cloud storage is common, not just among start-ups. However, storing data solely locally carries significant risks of data loss. When implemented correctly, cloud storage is a secure and reliable option for data storage and plays a significant part in any back-up strategy.
What role do regulatory requirements play in shaping research data management strategies, and how can start-ups navigate them more efficiently?
Regulatory requirements are a core component of any RDM strategy, as they define the boundaries within which the company must operate. For a start-up, developing a tailored RDM strategy helps navigate these requirements more smoothly, ensuring compliance and minimizing risks.
What practical steps can start-ups take immediately to improve their data management processes?
Don’t postpone it until it’s too late—start now with simple steps to get the process going. For example, you can implement a clear naming convention for files and folders to ensure organisation from the start. This might seem basic, but you will be surprised how effective this can be. Other practical steps include setting up regular automatic back-ups (following the 3-2-1 rule) and creating README files for documentation purposes.
What kind of training or expert support does The FAIR Elephant offer to start-ups looking to optimize their data management?
With The FAIR Elephant, I offer a flying start into the field of RDM, with expert domain knowledge in the field of RDM. I support start-ups with developing fitting RDM strategies, implementing new tools (e.g., electronic lab notebooks) and much more. Furthermore, I offer workshops and training on specific topics in RDM, like data organisation, electronic lab notebooks or data policies.
You can think of The FAIR Elephant as a long-term collaboration partner, supporting start-ups and other researchers, in their RDM endeavors.
Goettingen/Munich, 07.08.2023. The Life Science Factory incubator initiated by Sartorius in Göttingen and the top biomedical research centre Helmholtz Munich are entering into a strategic partnership to support spin-offs in the life sciences. Within this framework, the Life Science Factory will open a second location in the newly opened Helmholtz Pioneer Campus in spring 2024. As in Göttingen, the new location will also offer young founders access to laboratories and essential infrastructure as well as authoritative business expertise and a start-up network in the field of life sciences, thus significantly supporting the translation of innovative technologies.
Highly qualified, interdisciplinary researchers from all over the world work at the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus in Neuherberg. They connect for example artificial intelligence with biomedicine and engineering science with Helmholtz Munich’s award-winning diabetes research, resulting in new cutting-edge technologies that stimulates important medical research.
The opening of the Life Science Factory expands the services offered at the Pioneer Campus. The cooperation is intended to provide long-term and needs-based support for scientific spin-offs, both through optimal infrastructure and well-founded content-related support. Life Science Factory occupies its own floor of about 1,800 square metres and provides fully equipped laboratories and co-working spaces to start-ups, which can also benefit from a wide-ranging mentoring and events programme that offers opportunities for exchange and access to relevant start-up knowledge and a corresponding network. In terms of content, the offer focuses not only on life sciences but also on interface technologies such as bioengineering and AI applications.
Marco Janezic, Managing Director of Life Science Factory explains: “After our positive experiences at our original location in Göttingen, we are pleased to enter an additional strong and established ecosystem with our new location in Munich. The proximity to Helmholtz Munich and the resident research institutions will promote greater exchange and the transfer of innovative research into commercial applications.”
Matthias Tschöp, CEO of Helmholtz Munich and founding director of the Pioneer Campus states: “Creative entrepreneurial spirit and successful start-ups count just as much at the Pioneer Campus as scientific publications or prestigious awards. Through the strategic partnership with the Life Science Factory, we are creating a stimulating environment for our researchers to bring their ideas into practice faster and easier. Founders will find a unique setting to shape the future of biomedical development.”
Press contacts:
Life Science Factory: Svenja Hodel, Communication Manager, svenja@lifescience-factory.com +49 151 50858994
Helmholtz Munich: Verena Coscia, Team Leader Corporate Communication & Press Officer, presse@helmholtz-munich.de, +49 89 3187-49342
About the Life Science Factory
The Life Science Factory initiated by Sartorius promotes scientific progress and start-ups in the life science sector. The aim is to strengthen research and development of innovative technologies with a clear application focus and to offer scientists the space to take their first steps outside academic institutions.
Since January 2022, the Life Science Factory in Göttingen’s Sartorius Quarter has offered and fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratory space, coworking spaces, multi-use event spaces and a prototyping workshop. Regular events, mentoring and workshops are an integral part of the Life Science Factory’s offerings.
About Helmholtz Munich
Helmholtz Munich is a centre of excellence in biomedical research. Its mission is to develop breakthrough solutions for a healthier society in a rapidly changing world. Interdisciplinary research teams focus on environment-related diseases, in particular the therapy and prevention of diabetes, obesity, allergies and chronic lung diseases. Using artificial intelligence and bioengineering, the researchers transfer their findings to patients more quickly.
Helmholtz Munich has more than 2,500 employees and is based in Munich/Neuherberg. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, the largest scientific organisation in Germany with more than 43,000 employees and 18 research centres. More about Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München German Research Centre for Environmental Health): www.helmholtz-munich.de
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