Historical archive

Norway joins European collaboration for cross-border access to genomic data

Historical archive

Published under: Solberg's Government

Publisher: Ministry of Health and Care Services

Norway now joins an ambitious and extensive genomics collaboration with other European countries. The collaboration will benefit Norwegian research, Norwegian health care and Norwegian patients.

The goal of this European collaboration is to improve the research quality. The data can contribute to better prevention, earlier and easier diagnostics, less side effects and more precise prognosis through personalized medicine. 

- There is a huge potential for knowledge and medical treatment in genomics. Health care personnel in Norway need access to international databases with genetic information in order to offer the best possible diagnostics and treatments. By entering into this collaboration, Norwegian experts will be able to contribute to the development of these databases, says Minister of Health Bent Høie.  

Especially important for cancer and rare diseases 

The Minister has asked the Norwegian ambassador to the EU, Mr. Rolf Einar Fife, to sign the declaration for delivering cross-border access to a genomic database called "I million genomes". 

The initiative shall facilitate the exchange of genetic data between local, regional and national databases and biobanks in a secure way which will ensure the protection of personal data. 

- Having access to this kind of data is especially valuable for cancer medicine and rare diseases. The European collaboration supports existing national and international initiatives in the area, says Bent Høie. 

Signing declaration European gen cooperation
The declaration was signed 14th of June by Norway's Ambassador to the EU, Rolf Einar Fife and Despina Spanou, Director «Digital Society, Trust and Cybersecurity» in DG Connect (left).

The goal of the collaboration agreements is to collect 1 million genomes within 2022. The letter of intent between EU/EEA countries was signed in April 2018.

Read more about the European collaboration for cross-border access to genomic data