That Human Touch - Health Innovation in (West) Sweden – Details, episodes & analysis

What does it take to bridge groundbreaking science, clinical medicine and global biotech innovation?

Dr. Li-ming Gan is a physician scientist, professor and CEO of Ribocure Pharmaceuticals, where he leads the development of next-generation RNA therapeutics.

With more than 20 years of experience from AstraZeneca, where he held senior leadership roles in cardiovascular, renal and metabolism R&D, Li-Ming has been at the forefront of translating scientific discoveries into clinical breakthroughs.

Alongside his work in the pharmaceutical industry, he has continued his academic research work as supervisor and professor at the University of Gothenburg and clinical work at Ribocure clinic.

Today, through Ribocure, he is helping shape the future of innovative RNA-based therapies on a global scale.

In this episode we talk innovation, leadership and how to reach ikigai.

Learn more about Ribocure.

🎙️ Production credits

Guest: Li-ming Gan, CEO, Ribocure

Host: Jamie Smith

Editorial lead & episode development: Elin von Vultée Widtfelt

Post-production, sound & video: Nils Björquist

Artwork: Ella Smith Ygfeldt

Technical production support: JIRE Productions AB

Produced by Jamie Smith Communications AB

What lies behind a career dedicated to improving healthcare through data?

From growing up in Bosnia and Herzegovina during wartime to building a successful career in Sweden, Aldina Pivodic’s story is one of resilience, courage and determination.

Today, she is CEO and founder of APNC, a fast-growing consultancy at the forefront of medical statistics and life science research.

With an MSc in Mathematics and a PhD from Sahlgrenska Academy, Aldina Pivodic has spent over two decades working across academia, pharma and medtech - applying advanced statistical methods in medical research and developing and validating algorithms for clinical decision support tools, to improve patient outcomes.

In this episode, we talk resilience, ambition and the role of statistics in shaping the future of healthcare.

Learn more about APNC Sweden AB here.

🎙️ Production credits

Guest: Aldina Pivodic, CEO & Founder, APNC Sweden AB

Host: Jamie Smith

Editorial lead & episode development: Elin von Vultée Widtfelt

Post-production, sound & video: Nils Björquist

Artwork: Ella Smith Ygfeldt

Technical production support: JIRE Productions AB

Produced by Jamie Smith Communications AB

Boubou Hallberg is the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer for Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

He has a background as a pediatric and neonatal doctor and researcher, as well as long experience of healthcare leadership.

In this episode, we cover topics including:

• the exciting challenges of healthcare transformation
• the ambition for Sahlgrenska to be Europe's leading university hospital by 2032
• reconciling short-term financial constraints with the long-term vision
• Boubou's background & leadership style
• the importance of innovation in healthcare
• collaboration between healthcare, academia and industry
• the life science cluster in West Sweden
• what it takes to impress Boubou 

00:00 to 43:25 - Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are at the forefront of global scientific innovation in healthcare. Kristina Levan is a project manager in Region Västra Götaland with a special focus on precision medicine and ATMPs both on national and regional levels in Sweden. Kristina shares her perspectives on the opportunities & challenges to bring ATMPs to the patients that need them. She also provides insights into leading collaborations between the health sector, industry & academia.

43:25 to 1:01:37 - Mia Ekdahl from AstraZeneca’s HealthWorks and Jenny Almkvist, who works with Regional Development for Life Science at Region Västra Götaland, join Jamie Smith for a discussion on what's hot and cooking in life science in West Sweden!

Maggie Holme is Assistant Professor, Chemical Biology at Chalmers University of Technology. A native of Scotland, Maggie has lived, studied and worked in numerous countries before settling in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Besides leading her lab at Chalmers studying nanoparticles formulated from lipids, Maggie has been a driving force behind the FormulaEx project; a Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) funded industrial research centre for functional RNA delivery.

In this episode, Maggie describes the journey that brought her to West Sweden. She provides insights into working on a national life science initiative spanning three academic partners collaborating closely with four industry partners; as well as her perspective on next generation nucleotide drugs.

The episode also includes special BOnus material featuring Bo Norrman, Innovation Adviser at Chalmers University of Technology, who provides his knowledgeable perspective on health innovation and life science in West Sweden.

www.healthinnovationwest.se

In this first episode, Matti Ahlqvist, Executive Director for AstraZeneca Gothenburg, shares his perspective on why the health innovation ecosystem in West Sweden is a cool place to be right now.

Matti highlights some of the exciting investments and initiatives ongoing in the region and explains how and why collaboration is important to AstraZeneca.

Other topics include the future of healthcare; why talent, investors and entrepreneurs should choose West Sweden; as well as insights into Matti's leadership style and his "non-average" working days.

Professor Ann-Marie Wennberg Larkö is a pioneer in Swedish healthcare and truly embodies the fusion of visionary leadership and compassionate care.

As the former CEO of Sahlgrenska University Hospital, she led one of Northern Europe’s largest hospitals through a transformative era—embracing digitalization, AI, and innovation while never losing sight of the human experience in care.

In this conversation, we dive into what it means to lead with heart in complex systems, the role of research and innovation in shaping tomorrow’s healthcare, and why collaboration between academia, industry, and clinical practice is the only way forward.

We also explore the importance of leadership with the right expertise, courage, and vision to implement change—especially in a system under financial and academic pressure.

Ann-Marie shares insights from her broad experience as a professor, physician, policy advisor, and changemaker—highlighting why West Sweden is a region to watch on the global health stage.

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of digital health—where data, AI, and groundbreaking technology are transforming patient care and medical research.

Jamie is joined by Jonathan Converse, Project Manager at Chalmers Industriteknik and Head of the Digital Health Arena in GoCo Health Innovation City.

Jonathan is at the forefront of data-driven innovation in life sciences, helping to shape the future of healthcare by bridging the gap between technology, industry, research and patients.

We’ll be discussing what the Digital Health Arena is, what the development plans are and why is it so important for the future of life sciences in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Europe?

We'll also explore how digital health is revolutionizing medicine, the biggest challenges and opportunities in this space, and what the future holds for AI, data, and patient-centric innovation.

So, whether you're a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, researcher, patient or just curious about the future of digital health—stay tuned for an insightful conversation with Jonathan Converse!

Learn more:

• Digital Health Arena
• Digital Health Beats

Producer & host: Jamie Smith

AV, creative & socials: Nils Björquist, Carl Jirestedt & Ella Smith

Moa Dicksdotter is the Community Manager at GoCo Health Innovation City. Moa is instrumental in fostering a vibrant and collaborative environment at GoCo, an exciting new hub for life science innovation.

With a strong focus on corporate relations and site activation, Moa ensures that researchers, industry professionals and academics can come together to collaborate and drive forward-thinking solutions that meet future health challenges.

She works diligently on social structures and marketing communications to enhance the attractiveness and functionality of the GoCo ecosystem.

Jamie spoke with Moa at the recent GoCo Open House at GoCo Health Innovation City about her insights and experiences in building this unique innovation community.

Björn Wikhamn was our first drop-in pod guest at the recent GoCo Open House at GoCo Health Innovation City.

Björn is a professor of management and organization at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. His research interests primarily lie in the organization of innovation processes across organizational boundaries.

In this "no-planning-no-preparation" interview, Björn talked with Jamie about subjects including the criteria needed for successful innovation environments, AstraZeneca's BioVentureHub as a pioneering example of open innovation and whether or not innovation professors get to be innovative themselves.

Björn is also academically responsible for Matix – Management of Growth, a master's course in Business Administration focused on innovation, strategy, business development, change management, and sustainable leadership.