This report is a summary and outline of conclusions from the conference Strengthening the Nordic Vaccine R&D and Manufacturing Ecosystem, which was held in Stockholm on December 2-3, 2025. More information can be found below.

About the Conference
Attended by Nordic and international leaders from academia, industry, public health, funding organizations, and global health institutions, the event examined how the Nordic region can harmonize its strengths and contribute to pandemic preparedness and equitable, global access to vaccines.

The conference was co-organized by IVI’s Europe Regional Office in Sweden, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), headquartered in Norway, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI-D) in Denmark. The IVI Europe Regional Office and CEPI contributed funding to support the event.

Summary of Strategic Conclusions

Unlocking the Full Potential of Vaccine Development
The Nordic region has strong foundations in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing, including world-class science, trusted public institutions, advanced health data systems, and a growing biotech sector. However, these strengths remain fragmented.

Limited coordination, late-stage funding, and uneven access to manufacturing and clinical trial infrastructure constrain the region’s ability to respond rapidly and collectively to health emergencies. To unlock its full potential, the region needs formalized collaboration mechanisms, coordinated financing, shared clinical and manufacturing platforms, and unified processes to enable Nordic countries to pool capabilities, reduce duplication, and translate innovation into deployable vaccines with global impact.

Making Pandemic Preparedness a Long-Term Priority
Pandemic preparedness and response must be treated as a long-term regional and societal security priority, recognizing that pandemic threats are predictable and recurring—the question is not if, but when. This requires sustained political leadership, clear ministerial responsibility, and continuous advocacy and commitment to keep pandemic preparedness high on the political agenda beyond crisis periods, as well as integration of health security across defense, finance, and security portfolios.

Preparedness depends on ongoing investment in readiness during peacetime—through planning, coordination, and capacity building—so systems can be rapidly mobilized when new threats emerge, rather than relying on reactive, ad hoc crisis responses.

Strengthening the Nordic Role in Global Health Security
Nordic health security is closely tied to global preparedness, making strong international partnerships essential. Equitable access to vaccines, technology transfer, and regional manufacturing collaborations—particularly with African institutions—are strategic priorities.

In a changing geopolitical environment, the Nordic countries must act collectively, remain open to global collaboration, and align national security interests with international solidarity. A shared Nordic approach strengthens credibility, safeguards long-term preparedness investments, and supports more equitable and resilient global health outcomes.

About the Nordic Vaccine Directory
The Nordic vaccine directory is a collaborative effort by the International Vaccine Institute’s Europe Regional Office, CEPI, and NIVI-D, and builds on a 2022 feasibility study by Vinnova and RISE with the aim of continuously evolving to reflect new capabilities and emerging actors across the region. The outcomes of this analysis were presented at the conference.

The directory has mapped capabilities spanning the full vaccine value chain—from research and development to manufacturing. By connecting regional expertise, the resource aims to strengthen collaboration, boost vaccine self-sufficiency, and enhance global preparedness.

The data from the Nordic Vaccine Directory is not publicly available at present. Data transfer to a relevant host is anticipated to be completed in Q2 2026.