VILDA and Setterwalls Advokatbyrå are entering into a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the next generation of life science companies and contributing to a more equal sector. Through a series of webinars, legal expertise will be made more accessible, helping more companies prepare for growth and financing.
Swedish life science is in a strong growth phase, with new research-driven companies continuously emerging. Yet despite women making up a significant share of the highly educated workforce, they are still not represented to the same extent in the forums where influence is greatest: executive teams, boards and other key decision-making functions.
Against this backdrop, VILDA and Setterwalls have initiated a collaboration focused on strengthening women in leading positions within life sciences. The initiative is based on the conviction that early access to business legal expertise is crucial for both company development and financing.
“VILDA and Setterwalls want to make it easier for female founders and leaders to build companies. By securing intellectual property rights, creating fit-for-purpose agreements and sound corporate governance, the opportunities to bring products and services to market are improved, while also strengthening Sweden’s competitiveness,” says Helena Nilsson, Partner and Attorney-at-Law at Setterwalls Advokatbyrå.
Webinar series to help remove barriers
As a central part of the partnership, Setterwalls will offer a targeted educational series to VILDA’s network and other actors within the industry. During 2026, the firm’s experts will host a series of webinars focused on legal guidance in complex regulatory environments.
The webinars will cover topics including the management and commercialisation of intellectual assets, shareholders’ agreements, and preparations for fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs. The programme will also address regulations on foreign direct investment and how new tech-related legislation affects development within medtech and the pharmaceutical industry.
“By combining cutting-edge legal expertise with a clear gender equality perspective, we want to remove structural barriers and create better conditions for female leaders to reach influential positions. In this way, we contribute to a more competitive and representative life science sector where competence and innovation can have full impact,” says Christina Östberg Lloyd, Chair of the Board at VILDA.
Upcoming webinars
15 June: The EU’s Evolving Tech Law Framework: Implications for MedTech and Pharma
7 September: Introduction to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Life Sciences companies
23 September: Shareholders’ Agreements – Key Considerations for Life Sciences Companies
20 October: Engaging suppliers for clinical research, development and manufacturing
Upcoming: Research funding from public organizations
Upcoming: Intellectual property and commercialization in Life Sciences
Upcoming: Preparing for an Exit – M&A and IPO Readiness
The webinars will be held in English, and you do not need to be a VILDA member to register.
