The future of clinical trials depends on digital solutions – new track at vitalis

Sweden has the potential to become a global leader in clinical trials – but for a long time the trend has been declining. A new Vitalis track is now being launched to discuss how Sweden can regain a leading position in clinical research.

Clinical trials give patients early access to new and innovative treatments, provide healthcare with valuable knowledge, and contribute important research investments to Sweden. However, clinical trials need to be more clearly prioritised within healthcare in order to realise their full potential.

The challenge is that fewer companies are choosing to conduct their clinical trials in Sweden, says Frida Lundmark, Head of Research and Development at the industry association Lif.

– Many stakeholders are aware of the problem, and the issue has been highly topical throughout 2025. We are working intensively to reverse the trend, she says, and continues:

– Everything points to the fact that we have the potential to be at the forefront, with an integrated and modern healthcare system, strong research infrastructure, world-class medical research, and the ability to follow patients over time. The initiatives launched during 2025 are important steps in jointly positioning Sweden internationally.

New Vitalis track in May

This spring, Lif – the research-based pharmaceutical companies, Swedish Medtech, the Swedish Medical Products Agency, and Swetrial are inviting participants to a new Vitalis track focused on clinical trials.

– We want to provide insight into how the new partnership Swetrial works, what it enables, and how the work will be organised. We also want to highlight the opportunities that exist in Sweden, given our innovation capacity and leading position in areas such as AI, and how this can be leveraged for clinical trials.

Swetrial was established by the Swedish Medical Products Agency on behalf of the government, which has prioritised this area. The partnership brings together healthcare providers, companies, academia and authorities with the aim of strengthening the conditions for clinical trials.

– This is very much a collaborative effort. No clinical trials can be conducted unless healthcare can carry them out, unless pharmaceutical companies choose to come here, or unless we have the research infrastructure needed to perform more complex analyses, says Frida Lundmark.

A knowledge-sharing initiative

She also hopes that participants in the Vitalis track will gain a deeper understanding of Sweden’s strengths in this field and why companies should choose to conduct their clinical trials within the country.

– In some areas, we are truly unique. One of Sweden’s hallmark strengths is registry-based clinical trials, something that could be used much more extensively and that opens the door for more patients to participate.

Clinical trials can be the difference between life and death

A third focus is to demonstrate the positive impact that clinical trials can have for individual patients, for healthcare, and for Sweden as a country.

– The impact is positive on many levels, says Frida Lundmark:

– Patients gain earlier access to innovative treatments, which can be life-saving. Healthcare becomes more forward-looking, with care providers gaining early experience of new therapies. For society, more clinical trials lead to increased research investment, higher tax revenues, and more jobs.

This creates a positive cycle and an opportunity for Sweden to become a role model and further strengthen the life sciences sector, which is one of the country’s core industries.

The goal: more clinical trials in Sweden

The four organisers contribute different perspectives, but share a clear common ambition.

– Sweden must position itself more strongly, improve its capabilities, and capture a larger share of the clinical trials conducted by companies.

Who should attend the clinical trials track at Vitalis?

– It is relevant for everyone. If you work in healthcare and are curious about development and the future of healthcare, then clinical trials and how we work with them are a crucial issue, she says.

– We also welcome those working with digital infrastructure and solutions. We want to discuss how digital tools can help us take the next step, and for that we need input from people working with AI, technology and digitalisation.

“Vitalis is exactly the right place”

Frida Lundmark hopes that the Vitalis track will open participants’ eyes to the importance of clinical trials.

– We hope the track will demonstrate the value of clinical trials. But also that new ideas will emerge on how digitalisation can help us find new ways to become even better. Vitalis is exactly the right place for that.

Comment from Maria Englund, Acting Head of Secretariat at Swetrial, on why the track is needed:

– During the programme session “How we increase Sweden’s attractiveness for clinical trials”, we will present the Swetrial partnership and our plans to position Sweden as a leading country in clinical research. This area is of great importance for the future of health and care, and not least for Sweden’s competitiveness and innovation capacity. I hope the new track will result in valuable meetings and collaborative initiatives that, over time, elevate our clinical trials to world-class level.

Vitalis is the Nordic region’s leading meeting place for the future of health, care and social services, with a focus on e-health, welfare technology and innovation. It brings together key stakeholders from the public sector, academia, politics and industry to drive the development of sustainable healthcare.

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