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From ecosystem presence to R&D pipeline impact

Mapping the life science ecosystems in Boston and Copenhagen to guide R&D footprint and collaboration choices

The why

Cutting-edge science is increasingly concentrated in academic centres and emerging biotechs across global life science hubs, such as Greater Boston, the California coast, or Oxbridge-London. For pharma, integrating into these ecosystems is now essential to access top talent, novel modalities, and early-stage assets. Footprint decisions made today will determine future pipeline durability and innovation access.

The key question our client faced was not whether to be present in these hubs, but rather how to integrate in a way that translated presence into durable pipeline advantage.

The challenge

Our client was expanding into new modalities, technology platforms, and therapy areas to strengthen its early R&D pipeline. It had established a presence in leading hubs such as Boston, but faced critical choices: where to locate labs and teams, which academic centres and biotechs to engage, and how to move beyond symbolic presence toward true ecosystem integration aligned with its R&D strategy.

How we helped

We evaluated research strength, future ecosystem growth, and strategic fit with the client’s scientific needs (modalities, targets, disease areas), identifying scientific and geographic hotspots that could inform footprint decisions and collaboration priorities. This was done through a structured analysis of scientific activity and biotech presence in Boston and Copenhagen (e.g., publication patterns, research groups’ focus, spin-out density…), complemented by interviews with urban development experts, cluster organisations, incubators, investors, pharma, biotech, and academia to assess the attractiveness of key life science hubs and sub-geographies.

Outcome

Clarity on what drives high-performing ecosystems
We identified the structural drivers behind leading life science ecosystems, including what enabled academic excellence, density of translational platforms, venture creation capacity, and the ability to scale innovation from idea to venture formation and partnering. This clarified why certain sub-regions consistently outperformed others in generating durable pipeline assets, and how pharmaceutical players could actively strengthen these ecosystems to enhance long-term innovation output.
Attractiveness metrics across therapy areas and modalities
We developed a set of attractiveness dimensions covering research depth, talent concentration, funding intensity, and translational output. These were applied to relevant therapy areas such as neurology and metabolic disease, and to modalities and technology platforms including RNA technologies, gene delivery, computational biology, and genomics. This resulted in a prioritised map of research centres, labs, and emerging biotech clusters aligned with the client’s scientific goals.
Geographic optionality and integration options
We provided a geographic breakdown of Copenhagen and Boston, highlighting current density and future growth areas. Building on this, we outlined concrete integration options around the client’s existing locations, including collaboration models with academia and biotech, co-location strategies, and mechanisms to strengthen the external innovation pipeline.

What moved the needle

Although an outside-in analysis, deep consideration of client needs and realities are key for impact
Focused over exhaustive Ecosystems such as Boston are extremely dense and fast-moving. We narrowed the analysis to therapy areas, modalities, and scientific fields directly relevant to the client’s R&D priorities, avoiding superficial or generalist mapping.
Grounded in operational realities Footprint decisions are shaped by more than science alone. Real estate availability, economic considerations, timing, and organisational readiness were incorporated into recommendations, ensuring they were actionable rather than aspirational.
Partner

Jonas T. Karlsen, Ph.D.

Jonas is a life science strategist supporting executives drive progress across the value chain. He is an expert in bridging strategy and execution via global operating model design and transformation rooted in strategic objectives. He engages with structured top-down thinking and a pragmatic and collaborative approach to mobilise organizations and make things happen.

Jonas holds a Ph.D. in biophysics from the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, and further studied at California Institute of Technology. Recipient of the Ministry of Sciences Elite Research Award.

Selected experience

  • Ecosystem integration and external innovation pipeline
  • Lab of the future capability building and operating model design
  • Global clinical operating model design and transformation
  • Pre-launch strategy for cardiometabolic TA development

 
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