This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

•    The Danish-Swedish life science cluster ‘Medicon Valley’ is home to more than 60% of Scandinavia’s pharmaceutical industry.  The region hosts fourteen leading universities, six university hospitals, seven science parks, 400 PhD’s and 5,500 researchers with graduate degrees, as well as 5,000 dedicated research and development employees.  Denmark has strong expertise in the areas of diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system diseases, inflammatory diseases, and allergies.  According to statistics from the Danish Medicines Agency, drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases are the top selling drugs sold in Denmark.  Other treatment areas are ranked as follows: immune system, heart and blood circulation, infection, digestion and metabolism, respiration, blood and blood forming organs, urology, muscles, joints and bones, hormones, sense organs, and dermatology.  

•    Pharmaceutical products are the single biggest export commodity in Denmark to the United States.  Within the last decade, the export of Danish pharmaceutical products has more than tripled. In 2015, Denmark exported nearly USD 12 billion in pharmaceutical products, and the demand in exportation constituted approximately 90% of Danish pharmaceutical production.  Exports go mostly to Europe (57.4%) and North and South America (27%).  Denmark has had a trade surplus in pharmaceuticals of approx. USD 7 billion; the trade surplus to the U.S. was approx. USD 3.1 billion.

•    In 2015, Danes spent an estimated USD 3.50 billion on pharmaceutical products – approximately USD 625 per capita – but it is estimated that it will decline to USD 3 billion by 2020.  The use of pharmaceutical products in Denmark is one of the lowest among OECD countries.

•    In Denmark, the life expectancy at birth is 80.8 and the most common cause of death is cancer (28%) followed by heart disease (20.2%).  Other common causes of death include lung diseases (9.6%), brain diseases (8.8%), mental illnesses (4.6%), central nervous system diseases (2.5%), and diabetes (2.4%).  Danish obesity rates are around 16.8%, which is below the world average, but Danes have a high level of alcohol consumption (ranked eighth in Europe) and Danes smoke more than most of their European neighbors (ranked fifth).

•    Denmark is home to major pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk, Nycomed, Orifarm, Lundbeck, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.  These companies hold very strong positions in the market. There is a significant American presence and Biogen Idec, for example, has chosen to locate research and production facilities in Denmark.  
Best Prospects

•    Whether interested in establishing research facilities, supplying life science products, engaging in strategic alliances/joint ventures, or looking for investment opportunities overseas, U.S. companies can find lucrative opportunities in Denmark.  

•    There are good prospects for conducting clinical trials in Denmark.  The many well-established Contract Research Organizations with expertise in setting up and conducting trials at all stages (from pre-clinical through phase III), the ample hospital capacity, and well-registered patient population ensure an excellent climate for companies wishing to engage in clinical trials.

Opportunities

•    Marketing of pharmaceutical products is mainly done through targeting doctors and opinion leaders, but also through advertisements in industry magazines such as “Ugeskrift for Læger,” “Månedsskrift for Praktisk Lægegerning,” and “Dagens Medicin.”

•    An overview of all companies operating in the life sciences space can be found here.
•    Local trade shows: 
o    Lægedage – http://www.laegedage.dk  

Web Resources

Medicon Valley Alliance
Ministry of Health
The National Board of Health
The Danish Medicines Agency
National Institute of Public Health
The Danish Pharmaceutical Industry Association
 Medicon Valley Alliance 
The National Serum Institute
 
Contact Information
U.S. Commercial Service Copenhagen
Sabina Kroigaard
Commercial Specialist
Email: sabina.kroigaard@trade.gov

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.