Japanese pharma giant opens Nordic headquarters in Copenhagen
With more than 15,000 employees in over 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo is the second largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. The Nordic region is the next step for the global company. Helped by investment promotion body Copenhagen Capacity, it has chosen to open its Nordic headquarters in Copenhagen Science City.
Powerhouse for research with investment potential
Cancer research is one of 12 research strongholds in Greater Copenhagen with the potential to attract leading companies and investors, a 2017 survey shows. An example of this attractive power is the announcement by Japanese Daiichi Sankyo that Copenhagen will house their Nordic headquarters.
New treatments for cancer patients
With Copenhagen Science City as a base, the company will develop new treatments for some of the 14 million people diagnosed with cancer every year.
Close to collaborators
Daiichi Sankyo made its decision based on Copenhagen Capacity’s introduction to Greater Copenhagen’s strengths in research and cancer treatment. In Copenhagen Science City the company will have access to a university hospital, a university college and the Faculties of Science and of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen, which is the highest ranking university in continental EU.
Two countries, one life science region
In the wider context of the Swedish/Danish collaborative area Medicon Valley, where Daiichi Sankyo can find potential collaborators among the cluster’s 12 universities, 32 hospitals and more than 300 biotech companies.
That we have been able to attract a global pharmaceutical company like Daiichi Sankyo proves that Medicon Valley is a major source of growth. Daiichi Sankyo will strengthen the innovation ecosystem of the cluster – as well as contributing with new knowledge and insights that can move on Denmark’s already strong position in cancer research” says Claus Lønborg, managing director, Copenhagen Capacity.
Expanding north and east
Daiichi Sankyo’s new headquarters will be located in Copenhagen Science City-partner COBIS. From its head office in Copenhagen, Daiichi Sankyo plan to open smaller departments in both Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Baltic countries.
The head of Daiichi Sankyo’s Commercial Operations, Oncology, Patrik Grandits, will become Managing Director of “Daiichi Sankyo Oncology Nordics Aps” in Copenhagen.
Facts:
- Read more about Daiichi Sankyo.
- Read more about Greater Copenhagen’s 12 positions of strength.
- Globally oncology is one of the areas where private biotech companies invest most in research and development.
- In the last three years, the number of early clinical trials conducted in Copenhagen for foreign pharmaceutical companies has risen steadily. 2015 saw approximately 20 clinical trials of new cancer drug. By 2018 some 30 companies expect to test new cancer therapies at University Hospital Rigshospitalets Phase 1 Unit, which is one of Europe’s leading units for early clinical testing of new types of cancer treatment.