With its 200,000 employees, the health industry in Schleswig-Holstein is a powerful employer, accounting for 16% of gainfully employed persons in the state. Schleswig-Holstein University Clinic, one of Europe’s largest medical institutions, employs more than 10,000 staff alone. In addition, there are over 400 companies working in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. Companies in the health industry are responsible for 32% of the state’s total industrial output – twice the German average. The export quota for medical technology is around 80% and medical products from Schleswig-Holstein have a market share of 5% in the EU.

Besides these bare figures there are other weighty arguments to support Schleswig-Holstein’s claim to be the “health state”. Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg have set up the North German life science agency NORGENTA in order to coordinate life science activities in Northern Germany, promote this growth sector within and beyond the region’s boundaries, and turn Northern Germany into a internationally competitive life science cluster.

Innovative production plants, global exports, many outstanding specialist clinics (including ones specialising in allergies and bronchial diseases) and numerous health and spa resorts are a further proof of how Schleswig-Holstein has become a health state with extremely high growth potential.

The coordination office at WTSH acts as an interface between NORGENTA and the industry players in Schleswig-Holstein. The tasks it undertakes include:

• Networking companies, clinics, research institutes and universities
• Accompanying companies in developing and implementing innovative projects and searching for business partners or suitable locations
• Helping in applications for grants or third-party funds
• Identifying, generating and coordinating joint projects
• Representing the health sector in regional, national and international networks