Norway's focus on healthcare exports – what are the results?
We have been responsible for following up Norway's initiative to boost healthcare industry exports as part of the government's 'All of Norway Exports' initiative. We are now seeing more results from the work we have carried out since 2022 through our export advisory for Norwegian companies at home and internationally, participation in trade fairs and targeted export programmes.
One of the key outcomes of this initiative is the relationship we have established with Mayo Clinic.
Agreements with Mayo Clinic
Our healthcare industry advisers in the US have now helped several Norwegian companies gain access to Mayo Clinic, the world's largest hospital network. Both Nordic Brain Tech and Synplan have joined Mayo Clinic's innovation network, opening up promising opportunities for their continued development and sales.
During the business delegation to the US earlier this year, health technology company Dossier Solutions also signed an agreement with Mayo Clinic, which wanted to strengthen its digital platform for competence management in the healthcare sector. We have helped Dossier Solutions build networks and establish partnerships in the US, Singapore and Germany.
We signed an MOU with Mayo Berg Innovation Exchange during the Crown Prince's visit to New York in October 2025, paving the way for collaboration on establishing Mayo Berg Innovation Exchange Nordics.
Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange is a global health innovation platform established by Mayo Clinic – the world's largest non-profit hospital group. Originally launched in the US, the platform aims to connect clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to accelerate the development of solutions that can improve patient care and health technology.
«MCBIEN wants to work closely with relevant healthcare stakeholders in Norway to drive innovation that meets future healthcare needs. We are pleased to see that several stakeholders are open to working with us.»
Mayo Berg Innovation Exchange plans to establish its Nordic base in Oslo, while building a presence in several locations across Norway and the Nordic region through a range of partnerships. For example, Mayo Clinic Berg Innovation Exchange Nordics has already signed a partnership agreement with UiT The Arctic University of Norway and the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN).
Around the world with Norway close to our hearts
By bringing together Norway's major health industry companies as a national team, we have enabled larger companies to help smaller companies gain market insight, validation from industry experts and access to networks. For example, Laerdal has invited companies to collaborate in the USA.
Earlier this year, a delegation of 12 Norwegian companies visited Charité – Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, one of Europe’s largest university hospitals, to showcase their solutions to German hospitals and learn about the needs of the German healthcare system. At the same time, Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestre signed a memorandum of understanding with the German authorities.
The agreement will focus on collaboration on efficient and sustainable healthcare solutions and on improving hospital preparedness and response. It will also include collaboration on research, new technologies and the development of the healthcare industry.
Norwegian healthcare companies also had a strong presence during the state visit to the US this autumn. With a focus on military medicine and AI in practice, the visit opened up new networks and relationships.
By taking part in key international events such as JP Morgan San Francisco, BIO International and NLS Days, we have connected Norwegian companies with investors, partners and networks. This has helped them secure capital and unlock new commercial opportunities.
New ways of working – export promotion and Invest in Norway
Norwegian radiopharmaceuticals took centre stage during a delegation visit to Japan in summer 2025, where we brought together and showcased the entire Norwegian value chain, from research to commercial success.
«The delegation visit represents a new way of working. By combining export promotion with showcasing Norway as an attractive country for investment, we made an even stronger impact.»
Larger companies such as Bayer and GE Healthcare opened their doors to smaller innovators, including Agilera and the Cyclotron Centre, while academics and clinicians confirmed Norway's areas of strength.
'We would not have attracted the same level of attention to Norway's strengths in radiopharmaceuticals if we had not travelled with a strong delegation representing the ecosystem across the sector,' says Evy Stavik at GE HealthCare.
Process and plans going forward
In the first year of our three-year healthcare export initiative, we brought together the pharmaceutical, medical technology and digital health sectors and identified what they need to increase exports.
In the second year, we have focused on what we can influence: strengthening Norway's global health footprint by supporting leading export companies and sectors where Norway has a competitive advantage.
In the year ahead, we will focus even more on targeted measures and industry-led initiatives – such as trade missions, strategic partnerships and efforts to attract foreign investment. We will do all this in collaboration with the embassies and health clusters.
According to Menon, Norwegian healthcare exports continue to grow, although progress is a little too slow. Exports are still driven by a small number of pharmaceutical companies, but we are seeing a growing number of strong players in digital health and medical technology. This signals a sector that is building global impact.