Meet our Accelerators
Jonas Ekstrand, Senior Advisor at Ventures Accelerated
"If we in the Nordics collaborate more closely and present ourselves together to the rest of the world, everyone will stand to gain."
Meet Jonas Ekstrand, a distinguished Dr. of Medical Sciences from Karolinska Institutet whose career spans more than three decades across research, leadership, and entrepreneurship. From groundbreaking discoveries in brain cancer to steering SwedenBIO and co-founding Nordic Life Science Days, Jonas has consistently championed collaboration and internationalization. In this interview, Jonas shares his experience and thoughts on building a multifaceted career, the mentors who inspired him, and the untapped potential he sees in the Nordic life science ecosystem.
How did you end up with such a multifaceted career?
Sticking to just one thing has never worked for me — it gets boring. I’m drawn to variety and fascinated by Renaissance figures like Leonardo da Vinci, who mastered many disciplines. I also admire those who dive deep to make a difference, inspired by scientists like Marie Curie and Carl Linnaeus.
So what brought you into life science?
My passion for biology began in the field. I was captivated by ecosystems: their species, key roles, and connections. When it came time to choose a university path, I was torn between ecology and research. I chose the latter, studying chemistry, biophysics, cell biology, zoology, botany, and ecology — and it turned out to be the right decision.
What importance have mentors played for you during your journey?
My first academic mentor, Lore Zech at Karolinska Institutet, revolutionized cytogenetics with chromosome banding, a crucial tool for studying genetic disorders. Her work sparked my curiosity about gene-level abnormalities.
From a scientific standpoint, what are you most proud of achieving?
During a period of major technological leaps, I pursued a Ph.D. studying ecosystems at the cellular level. PCR technology was crucial, leading me to examine glioblastoma. I discovered that the EGF receptor genes were amplified and structurally rearranged, resulting in ligand-independent activation of tyrosine kinase signaling in the tumors.
You are, together with Olivier Duchamp, the father of Nordic Life Science Days—the largest partnering meeting in the Nordics for life science. Tell us how that came about.
For life science companies to succeed, it is essential to collaborate with the right partners and attract capital. Building both local and global networks is key, and to support this, SwedenBIO had for several years arranged small-scale partnering meetings. While the major international biopartnering organizations showed interest in the Nordics, their focus was often too commercially driven to truly gain local traction. Then, quite suddenly, Olivier and I were given the opportunity to create and shape our own international event — designed specifically to benefit the Nordic life science sector. We could not resist that opportunity.
You have dedicated years of your career to supporting the Nordic life science ecosystem in building stronger international relationships. What keeps you so driven toward this mission?
The Nordic countries have so much to offer in life science — both through world-class academic research and a strong ecosystem of companies. I believe that if we in the Nordics collaborate more closely and present ourselves together to the rest of the world, everyone will stand to gain.
What do you think is the most overlooked potential in the Nordics right now?
Given our track record of delivering key life science innovations to the world for more than 100 years, it surprises me how few people are aware of it. The potential is still very much alive — thanks to the highly skilled and dedicated life science professionals — and it deserves stronger support from international investors and companies. From my own background in cancer research, I see how the Nordics’ strengths in translational science and world-class academic medicine remain underutilized. During my time at SwedenBIO and through building NLSDays, I also witnessed how much more value could be unlocked if Nordic companies joined forces to present themselves internationally as one strong ecosystem rather than as small, separate markets. If we can harness that collective strength, linking cutting-edge research with entrepreneurial drive, the Nordics could be a global leader in areas like oncology, precision medicine, and biologics.
You have been part of Ventures Accelerated from day one. How will you leverage your impact on life science using this platform?
VA is a fantastic alliance of dedicated and highly experienced individuals who complement each other in a truly unique way. I will draw on my knowledge, experience, and network to ensure that we help our clients succeed.