How to Outsource Lab Work in Sweden: A Guide for Biotech & Startups
Quick answer
To outsource lab work in Sweden, decide what you need (instrument time, a full service, or expert consulting), then find a provider by capability and city — options include university core facilities, national platforms like SciLifeLab, and commercial labs/CROs. Confirm rate tier (academic vs industry), lead time, GMP/ISO scope if regulated, and whether data analysis is included. AidMix aggregates facilities, instruments and services across institutions so you can search one place instead of visiting each university site.
Key takeaways
- First decide: instrument-only, full-service, or consulting? It changes who you approach
- Search by capability x city, not by institution
- Ask about rate tier, lead time, sample requirements, and data deliverables up front
- For regulated data, confirm GMP/ISO scope and documentation
- Get quotes from 2–3 providers; capabilities and turnaround vary widely
For a biotech, startup, or academic group without a given capability in-house, outsourcing is faster and cheaper than buying instruments and hiring specialists. Sweden has a dense network of academic core facilities, the national SciLifeLab platform, and commercial labs — the challenge is finding the right one.
Step 1 — Define what you're buying
- Instrument time (you or the facility run it): e.g. microscope, NMR, sequencer.
- Full service (they run the experiment and deliver data): e.g. bioanalysis, sequencing + analysis, preclinical studies.
- Consulting / expertise: study design, regulatory, data analysis.
Step 2 — Find providers by capability and city
Rather than browsing each university, search by what you need and where. On AidMix you can find, for example, LC-MS/MS bioanalysis, NMR, sequencing and in vivo PK/PD studies, across Swedish cities.
Step 3 — Qualify the provider
Confirm: rate tier (academic vs industry), turnaround, sample requirements, IP/confidentiality terms, GMP/ISO if you need regulated data, and exactly what the deliverable is (raw data vs analysed report).
Step 4 — Request quotes from 2–3
Capabilities, quality systems, and lead times differ — compare before committing.
See also: what is a core facility.
Run a lab or CRO? List your services on AidMix for free to reach companies looking to outsource.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can startups use academic core facilities in Sweden?
Usually yes, at an external/industry rate — it's a common way for small companies to access high-end instruments.
How do I protect confidential/IP-sensitive work?
Agree confidentiality/IP terms up front; commercial labs and many core facilities routinely sign NDAs.
Academic facility or CRO — which is better?
Academic facilities often lead on cutting-edge methods; CROs on turnaround, GMP, and service guarantees. Match to your priority.