EU’s first innovation hub to be run from Flemingsberg

Health Data Sweden (HDS) will be the first among the EU’s new digital innovation hubs. The initiative is managed by Sebastiaan Meijer, Deputy Head of School at KTH in Flemingsberg.

The goal of HDS is to promote the use of health data to contribute to more efficient healthcare outcomes. The concept of health data includes information collected by healthcare providers, from individuals with the help of various sensors and health apps, and from research.

By combining different health data, it is possible to increase knowledge about individual conditions, identify new treatment methods and contribute to better diagnoses. Health data is believed to be a key factor in the growing field of precision medicine.

“Currently, the health data landscape is highly fragmented. There is a large number of good, smaller initiatives nationally and within the EU. But the exchange and access to health data is very limited. We also need to gather knowledge about how to best use and administer health data,” says Meijer.

One example of how health data is changing and simplifying care is a mobile app that growing numbers of health centres are using to provide faster answers to whether a change in a person’s skin could be due to cancer.

In Sweden, access to health data is primarily a regional issue, which slows its use and dissemination.
“We hope that the HDS consortium can lead to a breakthrough in usage by better co-ordinating data collection and dissemination. Our goal is to contribute to greater incentives for everyone to make available and share their health data throughout Europe,” Meijer says.

The HDS initiative brings together 18 partners across the country, such as universities, regional authorities, innovation environments and research institutes. HDS has recevied funding amounting to six million euros over three years.

Published On: 13 September 2022
  • TAKE YOUR IDEA TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Flemingsberg Science Award IDEA 2024 is now open for registration

    It’s finally time for the annual competition Flemingsberg Science Award IDEA. The goal is to attract innovators from Flemingsberg, helping them take the step towards realizing their visions while also participating in shaping the businesses of the future. Do you have an idea that can contribute to a better world? Then you should take part in the Flemingsberg Science Award competition.

  • Welcome to Flemingsberg Pitch Workshop

    Together with Venture Cup, one of Sweden's leading platforms for startups and business ideas, Flemingsberg Science Foundation welcomes you to a workshop that will help you create a compelling and engaging pitch to take your startup or idea to the next level. During this highly interactive session Malcolm Larri, coach and pitch expert, will teach you the fundamental building blocks of creating an effective pitch, Venture Cup style. You will also receive feedback on the pitches you create.

  • Campus day 2024

    Campus Day is for all students at Campus Flemingsberg. Come and meet students from Karolinska Institutet, KTH, the Red Cross University College, SMI, and Södertörn University. There will be performances and speeches on stage. Enjoy music, play ping-pong, or take the campus quiz and get a lunch! (Limited availability)

  • Irma Alert and The Digital Immune System: Winners of the Flemingsberg Science Award STARTUP 2024

    Sweden's children and youth are not doing well. Mental health issues, increasing neuropsychiatric disorders, and sociocultural confusion, partly caused by social media, are on the rise. As a result, the level of knowledge among young people is declining, with reading comprehension and mathematics being particularly problematic areas. Irma Alert, the winner of the Flemingsberg Science Award, wants to change this. 

  • Maria Eriksdotter: Dean, Leader and Enthusiast who strengthened the sense of community in Flemingsberg

    After her four years as dean, Maria has successfully put KI South and Flemingsberg on the map. Maria is an enthusiast who has driven KI South forward in recent years with great commitment. Now that she is leaving her role as dean of Karolinska Institutet, we at the Flemingsberg Science Foundation reflect on all the progress and achievements she has made.