New Danish national gateway to health data to boost novel health solutions
Denmark has some of the best health data in the world. Since the 1970’ies the Danish healthcare system has collected data covering the whole population and many areas of health. With a new initiative, researchers will find it even easier to get access to the data for developing new solutions. Across Denmark and in Innovation District Copenhagen.
Grant for one-point-entry
On 15th April 2025 the Novo Nordisk Foundation announced a DKK 200 million grant, which will enable a new national “one point of entry” gateway to health data in Denmark. The creation of a new national gateway to health data for research and innovation – along with a new national analysis platform – is expected to make conducting research and developing health solutions using Denmark’s health data easier and require fewer resources.
Collecting dispersed data
Denmark’s long history of collecting and storing high-quality health data across many public authorities comes with a drawback. The data is spread across the healthcare system, with limited opportunities for linking various sets of data. With the new gateway, researchers will be able to apply for access to health data through a single authority – instead of the current system, which requires applying to multiple authorities. This will make a huge difference, predicts Denmarks Minister for Health.
Denmark has a highly digitalised healthcare system, a strong tradition of clinical research and uniquely rich health data. Combined with a thriving life science industry, these strengths create exceptional opportunities to develop new health solutions that benefit patients. However, unlocking their full potential requires improving researchers’ access to the health data collected. The establishment of the new national gateway will now enable researchers to do just that”: Sophie Løhde, Minister of the Interior and Health of Denmark
A launch-pad for innovative solutions
For patients, these new initiatives promise more rapid and accurate diagnosis, improved treatment options and more personalised medicine. Having easier access to comprehensive, interconnected health data will improve the ability of researchers and health authorities to identify disease patterns earlier, tailor treatments more precisely and ensure that Denmark’s healthcare system adopts new and innovative solutions.
Health research drives innovation and enhances the quality of our healthcare system. I am therefore pleased that, in the future, researchers will have a single point of access for health data. This streamlined approach will make research more efficient and drive new solutions that benefit researchers, doctors and patients”:Anders Kühnau, President of Danish Regions.
Public/Private partnership
The new health data infrastructure is being developed as a joint public initiative supported by a grant of DKK 200 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Much more investment in research and innovation is essential for Denmark to successfully tackle the challenges of the future. A key part of this is improving access to data, and researchers will now have more rapid, easy and efficient access to health data – along with optimal opportunities to analyse them. This will reinforce Denmark’s position as a leading innovator in health, benefitting both research and patients”: Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Facts: Supercomputers will make the difference
Last year, the Gefion supercomputer was launched through collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). Later this year, Denmark will get another supercomputer. Together, these two supercomputers – with other analysis environments and the new health data infrastructure – will strengthen health research in Denmark.
The national health data infrastructure will include the following.
- A single point of access – a new portal will be the focal entry point for health data in Denmark. This will streamline application processes and ensure that requests for access to data across public authorities are more consistently managed.
- National analysis platform – a unified information technology platform will be designed to provide secure access to health data within dedicated analysis environments. It will also support the use of supercomputing capacity – including Gefion – enabling advanced analysis.
About Innovation District Copenhagen
Innovation District Copenhagen is a world-class innovation district where you can transform your bright ideas into growth, jobs, and global solutions.
- Co-locate with University of Copenhagen, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, University College Copenhagen (KP) and 500 innovative companies.
- Co-create with 40,000 researchers, staff and students.
- Collaborate to develop new solutions to societal challenges.
- Find a job with leading academic institutions and deep-tech companies.
Learn more about the Innovation District Copenhagen organisation.