Oslo Cancer Cluster is an oncology research and industry cluster dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients by accelerating the development of new cancer diagnostics and treatments. It is a national non-profit member organisation with about 100 members. The member base comprises university hospitals, research centres, patient organisations, start-ups and biotech companies, global pharma and technology companies, investors, financial
institutions as well as service providers – all working in the cancer field. Jointly, they cover the entire oncology value chain – from exploratory research to delivering novel therapeutics and diagnostics to patients worldwide.Around 30 of the members are gathered in the Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, situated in the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park in the Ullern district of Oslo. Oslo Cancer Cluster is part of the wider Oslo Science City initiative that was featured in our 30 September 2022 edition, in our interview with CEO Christine Wergeland Sørbye. Oslo Science City is Norway’s first innovation district, and it is built around four thematic areas where
the actors in Oslo Science City have world-leading knowledge: Health and life sciences, Climate, energy and environment, Digitalisation and computational science and Democracy and inclusion.
Conversion Journey of Cluster Incubator
In 2019 Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator converted three offices into new laboratories to accommodate the rising demand from their members. Since their opening four years previously,the laboratories in the Incubator had been getting busier as the start-ups expanded their work force and required more offices and lab space. At that point, the dedicated laboratories were running at full capacity, but there was some space available in the shared
labs. Some of the members of the Incubator do lab work for third parties which also drives demand.When undertaking such a conversion, walls had to be moved, a separate ventilation system had to be installed, and new water pipes had to be fitted. Expensive instruments had to be ordered and work benches with hoods were mounted for the cell laboratory. All rooms needed to be measured correctly down to the last millimetre for everything to fit precisely.
Distinctive model approach
The Incubator Labs follow a distinctive model, which offers both private laboratories and fully equipped shared laboratories. The private laboratories are leased with furniture, water supply, electricity and ventilation. The companies bring their own equipment depending on their needs.Shared laboratories, including a bacteria lab, a cell lab and wet lab, are leased including basic equipment with the opportunity for companies to bring their own if shared by all tenants. All laboratories share the support facilities including a cold room for storage, a laundry room, and storage room including cell tanks and nitrogen gas.“This model of a shared laboratory is unusual,” said Janne Nestvold, Chief Operating Officer at the Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator. The advantage of
working in a shared lab is that companies can avoid the costs and limitations associated with setting up and managing a laboratory. A broad range of general equipment, including more advanced, analytical instruments,
are provided by the Incubator. It can be too expensive for a small company to buy all this equipment themselves.
