In Europe, Sweden takes the lead

Despite being relatively new to the biotech field, Sweden's biotech industry is doing brisk business. The country has already attracted $46 million in venture capital this year and Swedish biotechs are responsible for some of the largest biotech IPOs in Europe this year. "Fledgling companies are attracting foreign and Scandinavian investors, striking lucrative deals with pharmaceutical giants, and outperforming many of their peers on European stock markets," notes BusinessWeek.

A recent report from the European Commission marked Sweden as having one of the most successful biotech sectors in the EU. Smart policies and good coordination between government departments contribute significantly to Sweden's ascent. The country also boasts strong academic institutions, a wealth of pharmaceutical talent and a unique approach to intellectual property.

- see this BusinessWeek article