Over 100 entrepreneurship companies are based in Copenhagen Science City-partner Copenhagen Bio Science Park (COBIS), which is the leading Danish research park for biotech- and life science companies. The major Danish pensions provider, PensionDanmark, has just taken over the start-up community.

The many promising research-based entrepreneurs can hope for better opportunities to create success, jobs and growth as PensionDanmark invests DKK 325 million in the acquisition of the COBIS property. The long-term investment helps to maintain Copenhagen Science City and Medicon Valley as one of the leading European environments for biotechnology and life science research.

“It is an attractive and long-term investment in creating a good framework for Danish entrepreneurs. With the acquisition of the COBIS property, we contribute to providing optimal conditions for more entrepreneurs from the leading research communities to generate growth and jobs in Denmark. At the same time, PensionDanmark’s members are guaranteed good returns for many years, thanks to a stable tenancy like COBIS on a long lease,” says Torben Möger Pedersen, CEO of PensionDanmark.

Through flexible rental of laboratories and office space for entrepreneurs, COBIS builds a bridge between startup companies, universities and hospitals.

“As one of one of seven start-up communities in Copenhagen Science City COBIS is a key player in the effort to commercialise inventions from university and hospital-researchers, says Kristoffer Klebak, Head of Secretariat for Copenhagen Science City.

For one of the sellers, Symbion, the sale represents new opportunities to expand the business, explains CEO Peter Torstensen.

“Over the past few years, COBIS has developed into a centre for life science in Medicon Valley. We have more than 100 promising life science companies, which is the largest concentration in the Greater Copenhagen region. With the sale of the COBIS property, we can now increase our contribution to making Greater Copenhagen one of the premier life science regions in Europe,” says Peter Torstensen, CEO of Symbion.

The COBIS property was taken over by PensionDanmark on July 1, 2018. It has a sought after location in the heart of Copenhagen Science City, close to Rigshospitalet, University College Copenhagen and the University of Copenhagen’s Nørre Campus. The building has ample office space, several laboratories and a large basement. It is flexibly designed so that offices can easily be converted into laboratories and vice versa.