New Swedish research initiative targets obesity and metabolic diseases

New Swedish research initiative targets obesity and metabolic diseases

Metabolism and obesity are the focus of a major research initiative by the University of Gothenburg and AstraZeneca, with support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Västra Götaland Region. The initiative includes a newly founded professorship and research group with a total budget of SEK 200 million over ten years, starting in 2026.

The prevalence of obesity is a growing global epidemic with major impacts on individuals and society. The term metabolic syndrome also includes diseases such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The general disease of metabolic disorders is very complex and has a major impact on the health of those affected and on the national economy.

As the parties behind the current initiative now join forces, it comes from positions of strengths already present in metabolism and obesity, with an emphasis on international excellence in the research team, created and developed locally under the leadership of a scientifically established researcher. The initiative will be a qualitative powerhouse for the Swedish life sciences sector and for the strong structure within the field established in western Sweden.

The research project will last for ten years starting in 2026 with a budget of SEK 200 million. The initiator is the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, which is donating 50 million SEK. R&D in AstraZeneca contributes SEK 100 million and the University of Gothenburg and Region Västra Götaland each contribute SEK 25 million.

Deeper understanding that meets needs

The appointed research leader will play a dual role as professor at the Sahlgrlenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and as managing director of the AstraZeneca R&D Center. Both roles are based in Gothenburg.

The University of Gothenburg sees the initiative as strategically important for the entire university. Jenny Nyström is professor and dean at the medical faculty of the Sahlgrenska Academy:

"The focus of the research is to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms behind obesity and cardiovascular complications in order to develop future treatments that are both safe and effective. We have a clear profile within metabolic diseases and its comorbidities, which offers great opportunities for productive collaboration between the parties," says She.

AstraZeneca is heavily focused on developing new medicines for people with obesity and its comorbidities.

"We know that obesity is a significant risk factor for a number of serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes and many other chronic diseases. To meet the needs of diverse patient groups, we must understand the cellular mechanisms that drive the development of diseases in the differentiation of populations, and the development of medical drugs that lead to long clinical development, and the astroactive, astroactive president and the global, annoying development and the global research descent and the global research facility and the global research drive in the research work and the global research stage.

Strong construction that creates utility

"We have a strong position in the life sciences - leading research, innovative companies and a unique culture of collaboration. The new professorship is a clear example of what we can achieve when the region, academia and industry combine strengths. Together we are tackling one of the biggest public health problems and we are doing so with region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region, in the region around the world, in the region in which the region around the world,” says Helénelén. Vastra Götaland.

The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has been supporting Swedish life sciences research with around SEK 10 billion for 25 years and today helps build Sweden's strong position in the field. The professorship is the latest building block that we are now adding together with the parties involved. “

Sara Mazur, Managing Director, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation

Sources: