The workgroup “Economic Barriers to Borderless Cooperation” has been established under the Nordic Industrial Fund grant.

Background
ScanBalt BioRegion encompasses 11 countries and 85 million people. There are 60 universities and 870 biotech related companies. Cooperation among these players is at times discouraged by borders and bureaucracy. But also lack of knowledge, lack of networks and lack of funds present barriers. This project group will aim at making the existing support system for cooperation within biotech more visible and propose – and if possible establish – new specialised supporting structures.

Objectives
The objectives for this workgroup consist of 3 main parts: 1) mapping 2) strategy formulation and 3) funding. The mapping activities will include mapping of stakeholders, existing possibilities, socio-economic barriers and cooperation status.

Progress
By the closing of it's term the group has hosted a double seminar a ScanBalt Forum 2004 focusing at Biotech venture financing. The ScanBalt FactFile  has been developed and an edition focusing on LifeScience/biotechnology have been produced. The workgroup have now completed its task and a smaller focus group have been established. The focus group is chaired bu Hans Kuhn, Norgenta, and will evaluate experience of and barriers to cross border investment in the ScanBalt region.