Börje Haraldsson, CEO of Oncorena, is a man driven by a profound commitment to revolutionizing cancer treatment, particularly in the fight against kidney cancer. His journey through medicine, research, and the pharmaceutical industry has positioned him at the forefront of innovative therapies, and Oncorena is on a mission to make life-saving treatments accessible to patients worldwide.
From Clinical Expertise to Pharmaceutical Innovation
With a background rooted in medicine, Börje began his career at the University of Gothenburg, where he embarked on his medical studies at the age of 18. Over the years, his deep engagement in clinical work and research earned him a professorship in nephrology from 2001 to 2014. This period, which he often refers to as “the best job in the world,” allowed him to work closely with patients, conduct groundbreaking research, and mentor future generations of healthcare professionals.
However, a pivotal moment in his career came when Börje was offered a role in pharmaceutical development. Moving abroad to work with Novartis, one of the largest global pharmaceutical companies, Börje stepped into the world of drug development for kidney diseases. This shift brought him into an environment of international collaboration, where experts from various cultures and backgrounds contributed to the development of new therapies. It was here that Börje found a new passion—leading innovative projects that could change the future of medicine.
The Birth of Oncorena and a Vision for the Future
Oncorena was founded based on the promising results Börje and his research team achieved in their early studies. Together with the university’s venture firm, GU-Venture, they set out with the goal of addressing the critical need for new treatment options for advanced kidney cancer. In their research, they discovered a potential therapeutic that could effectively remove human kidney cancer cells. This breakthrough inspired Börje and his team to pursue the development of a curative treatment for patients with advanced kidney cancer.
Today, Oncorena is conducting clinical trials aimed at bringing this new therapy to market. The company’s mission is clear: to provide a treatment that can significantly improve outcomes for kidney cancer patients, especially those with limited options.
Accelerating the Path to Treatment
Oncorena’s clinical trials are currently in phase 1-2, which is standard practice in oncology. Unlike many other therapies that are first tested on healthy individuals, cancer treatments must often be tested directly on patients. These early-phase trials focus on determining whether the drug is safe, well-tolerated, and free of unexpected side effects. At the same time, the company hopes to observe early signs of the drug’s effectiveness. The company works closely with the Phase-1 unit at the Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center led by Dr. Jeffrey Yachnin.
One of the key milestones Oncorena is working towards is achieving “accelerated approval.” This regulatory pathway allows promising therapies to reach patients faster by expediting the approval process if early clinical data shows positive results. By obtaining accelerated approval, Oncorena aims to make its therapy available to kidney cancer patients sooner, while continuing to gather data from larger studies to confirm the drug’s long-term benefits.
The Power of Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of Oncorena’s success. Börje is a strong believer in the idea that no individual or company can thrive in isolation—especially in the complex and highly specialized world of life science. Oncorena has established partnerships with leading institutions and organizations, both in Sweden and internationally, to advance its research and clinical development efforts.
The company’s collaboration with healthcare providers, academic institutions, and industry partners plays a crucial role in its ability to innovate. Börje stresses the importance of fostering strong connections between these sectors, highlighting that a unified approach is key to advancing clinical research and bringing new therapies to patients. Oncorena’s ongoing trials in Sweden, and its plans to expand to the U.S. and other parts of Europe, reflect this commitment to building a global network of expertise.
A Visionary Approach to Leadership
Börje’s leadership style is deeply rooted in his belief that people are the cornerstone of any successful organization. His years of experience in clinical settings and pharmaceutical development have shaped his approach to management, which focuses on recognizing and nurturing talent. For Börje, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing colleagues, students, and collaborators grow, as their development ultimately enhances the quality of the work being done.
In his view, true leadership is about empowering employees to reach their full potential. He challenges the traditional notion of leadership that prioritizes profit or efficiency above all else, advocating instead for a people-first approach. This philosophy has not only contributed to Oncorena’s success but has also made the company an attractive partner in the competitive life science sector.
The Future of Oncorena
Looking ahead, Oncorena is laser-focused on the results of its ongoing clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to validate the efficacy of their kidney cancer therapy and bring it to market as soon as possible. Oncorena is fortunate to have solid lead investors willing to risk their money, experience, and time to support the company’s development. Börje remains pragmatic about the future—whether Oncorena continues independently or merges with a larger pharmaceutical company, the priority remains the same: getting this life-saving treatment into the hands of the patients who need it most.
Strengthening Sweden’s Life Science Ecosystem
Börje is passionate about the potential for life science in Sweden, but he believes there is still much work to be done to create the right conditions for success. In his view, the government must play a more active role in fostering collaboration between healthcare, universities, and industry. The key to advancing clinical research and innovation lies in creating an environment where these three sectors can work seamlessly together.
As Oncorena continues to break new ground, Börje’s vision for the future of life science in Sweden—and globally—remains rooted in the belief that collaboration, innovation, and patient-centered leadership are the keys to success.
