As we wrap up 2025, we are putting today on the spotlight on the #Clusters4Health Deep Dive Days, organized by our partner Oslo Cancer Cluster during the first week of December.
As the project coordinator of #Clusters4Health, the Imago-Mol Cluster was proudly represented by @Alina and @Diana, who had the privilege of participating in this deep knowledge-exchange experience.
It was far more than a study visit — it was a powerful immersion into one of Europe’s most advanced health innovation ecosystems. Oslo Cancer Cluster stands as a remarkable example of a long-term public–private partnership that has evolved from a hospital and cancer research institute into a thriving innovation park and an emerging oncology campus. Witnessing how public institutions, universities, hospitals, industry, incubators, and research organizations collaborate seamlessly within a single ecosystem was truly invaluable.
Key Takeaways for Imago-Mol Cluster
We took part in the first three modules of the Cluster Management Training Programme, launching a new series of expert-led sessions under #Clusters4Health. These modules explored:
🔹 Innovation Norway grants, awareness, and dissemination, with speakers @Frederik Søndergaard, Policy Officer, DG Research and Innovation, and Rui Sousa, Senior Consultant, Innovayt
🔹 Cluster development and internationalization — how trust-building, strategic positioning, and ecosystem orchestration enable clusters to access and integrate into global value chains, speaker @Ketil Widerberg, General Manager, Oslo Cancer Cluster
🔹 EU soft funding opportunities — insights into Horizon Europe logic, TRLs, Destinations, and the key role clusters play as entry points for businesses, universities, and hospitals; dissemination session implemented by @Marine Jeanmougin, Oslo Cancer Cluster
🔹 Systems thinking for cluster managers — a deep dive into managing complex, adaptive ecosystems where diverse stakeholders work toward a shared mission; training session delivered by @Kazimierz Murzyn, Managing Director, The LifeScience Cluster Krakow
A special highlight of the programme was the visit to @SINTEF, one of Europe’s leading research institutes with over 2,200 employees and partnerships in 63 countries — including active collaborations with Ukraine. Their openness to expanding cooperation with Ukrainian health clusters, including Imago-Mol, is a strong signal that Ukrainian expertise is valued and needed within European R&I ecosystems. Special thanks for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions.
We also visited the Oncological Institute and the new Advanced Cell Therapy Center, engaging in discussions on joint health initiatives. A dedicated session on Crisis Preparedness Innovation brought together key stakeholders, with the participation of H.E. @Oleksiy Gavrys, Ambassador of Ukraine to Norway, and @Christian Syse from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It was a powerful reminder that innovation is not only about economic growth — it is also about resilience, readiness, and saving lives.
Strengthening European–Ukrainian Collaboration
For us at the Imago-Mol Cluster, this deep dive was a moment of clarity. We return home with concrete ideas on how to:
✔ strengthen the role of clusters in rebuilding Ukraine’s health sector
✔ better prepare our members for participation in European R&I programmes
✔ develop resilient, sustainable innovation ecosystems in health, medical technologies, and human capital
This is only the beginning — but Oslo has shown us that Ukrainian clusters are not just observers. We are ready to be equal partners in the European innovation landscape.
A warm thank you to the entire team at Oslo Cancer Cluster, Ketil Widerberg, Marine Jeanmougin, and Dave Tippett, all speakers and partners, @RIVNE TACMED, @RIVNE Interregional Medical Cluster, @Cluster ProMedMan, @ClusteER Health, @KLSK, @BIOCAT, @ClustERO, for their shared commitment and coordination.
We look forward to the next Deep Dive in Emilia-Romagna and to building even stronger bridges between Ukrainian, Norwegian, and European Union health ecosystems.
✨ As we approach the New Year, we wish all our partners continued collaboration and shared success in 2026, with the hope that it will be a more peaceful year for Europe, enabling cooperation, resilience, and innovation to flourish.