COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- With Denmark as
the centre of gravity, the ambition is to invest in, support and
advance some of the world's most promising quantum technology
companies with applications in the life sciences.
The quantum industry, which develops novel technologies such as
quantum computers or quantum sensing based on quantum physics,
holds the potential to dramatically impact a number of industries,
and in particular the life sciences. Quantum technologies are
currently on a steep development trajectory, especially in the
Nordics.
With the current momentum in Denmark, there is potential to establish a
global innovation hub for quantum technology. To achieve this, a
vibrant seed and venture capital investment ecosystem is essential
– and that is exactly what Novo Holdings aims to accomplish.
Søren Møller, Managing Partner, Seed Investments, Novo
Holdings, said:
"Quantum technology is a disruptive and transformative field
that can revolutionise various sectors and address global
challenges. Combining Novo Holdings' longstanding experience in
developing the life sciences ecosystem in the Nordics with the
quantum activities and commitment from the Novo Nordisk Foundation
provides a very powerful platform for building quantum startups.
Our ultimate goal is to create, grow and develop strong quantum
technology companies in the Nordics."
Organisationally, Quantum Investments will be anchored with Seed
Investments, where a new dedicated sub-team will be
established.
The Quantum Investments team will focus on quantum computing,
sensing, and algorithms – all areas that have relevant applications
within healthcare, and a significant applicability within the
broader life sciences sector. Geographically, Denmark has been identified as a promising
quantum technology hub, building on a strong momentum and a
heritage dating back to Niels Bohr.
However, the investment mandate is global, so although Denmark will be the centre of gravity, Novo
Holdings will potentially also invest beyond the Nordics.
The power of partnerships
Establishing a quantum technology hub in Denmark aligns with a number of recent
initiatives by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, most notably the
establishment of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing
Programme (NQCP) that aims to establish one of the world's first
fully functional and generally applicable quantum computers and The
Quantum Foundry, a limited liability company fully owned by the
Novo Nordisk Foundation with the purpose of developing quantum
materials and quantum chips as well as the associated fabrication
tools.
Lene Oddershede, Senior Vice President, Natural &
Technical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation, said:
"There is a substantial demand for investments in the quantum
space to harvest the potential of the emerging quantum
technologies. A strong quantum ecosystem based on knowledge,
networks comprised by all relevant partners, and with sufficient
capital is instrumental to guarantee the further development and
commercialisation of quantum research enabled by the Novo Nordisk
Foundation, the Danish state, and the BioInnovation Institute's
(BII) Deep Tech Lab - Quantum. We foresee significant developments
in this area, both imminently and over a longer horizon. Success,
however, hinges on our ability to fully leverage the potential of
the quantum technologies by realising the full value chain and
establishing robust partnerships."
The potential to develop and form new partnerships is part of
the rationale for choosing Denmark
as the anchor point for a quantum technology hub,given the
country's track record of successful public-private
partnerships.
The Danish government has committed DKK
1.2 bn (€160 million) to quantum technology research. This,
combined with the grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and other
contributors, make Denmark's per
capita investments in quantum technology the highest in the world
today.
Deep Tech Lab – Quantum is likely to become another key
partner. Operated by BioInnovation Institute (BII), it is
Denmark's official NATO DIANA
accelerator site. Together with the Niels Bohr Institute at the
University of Copenhagen, the
Technical University of Denmark,
Aarhus University, and the Danish
National Metrology Institute, the purpose is to leverage
Denmark's world-leading research
in quantum technology.
About Novo Holdings A/S
Novo Holdings is a holding and investment company that is
responsible for managing the assets and the wealth of the Novo
Nordisk Foundation. The purpose of Novo Holdings is to improve
people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet by
generating attractive long-term returns on the assets of the Novo
Nordisk Foundation. Wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation,
Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk A/S
and Novonesis A/S (Novozymes A/S) and manages an investment
portfolio with a long-term return perspective. In addition to
managing a broad portfolio of equities, bonds, real estate,
infrastructure and private equity assets, Novo Holdings is a
world-leading life sciences investor. Through its Seeds, Venture,
Growth, Asia, Bioindustrial and
Principal Investments teams, Novo Holdings invests in life science
companies at all stages of development. As of year-end 2023,
Novo Holdings had total assets of EUR 149
billion. www.novoholdings.dk
About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Established in Denmark in 1924,
the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with
philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to
improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the
planet. The Foundation's mission is to progress research and
innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and
infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions
to support a green transformation of society.
www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en
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SOURCE Novo Holdings