The WiLD Norway Summer Summit 2026 has now concluded.
Thank you to our supporters, partners and attendees for a day of thoughtful discussion.
We look forward to sharing highlights in coming weeks.
The Red Thread: Connecting What Isn’t Obvious
Hidden patterns and overlooked connection shape women's health, equity, and leadership.
In its second year, the WiLD Norway Summer Summit brought together leaders, scientists, decision-makers, and change agents to make the invisible visible — and turned that clarity into action.
📅 June 4, 2026
📍 Oslo Forskningsparken – Forum / Glassgangen + Toppsenteret
🕧 12:00–21:00
THE PROGRAM
12:00 – 12:30 Registration
12:30 – 12:45 Opening | Chelsea Ranger, Founder & Chair of Women in Life Science Norway
KEYNOTE, Ole Martin Juul Slyngstadli, State Secretary, Ministry of Health & Care Services
«Regjeringens kvinnehelseløft – en mulighet for norsk helsenæring»
Q&A Moderated by Alfred Bjørlo
12:45-13:05
SESSION 1 · 13:05 – 14:30
The Innovation Value Chain in Norway: Closing Gaps to Benefit Women
Moderated by Frode Nakkim · Partnered by LMI
This session examines Norway's innovation value chain—from funding & research to trials & market access, and where it breaks down. When systems don't work, innovation and investments drop, and studies stall. Women are disproportionately affected by gaps, making this a critical lead-in to our political discussion in Session 2.
FIRESIDE CHAT 1 · WHY INVESTING IN WOMEN'S HEALTH IS INSEPARABLE FROM INDUSTRY & WORKING LIFE
Michael Engsig - CEO, Nykode
Malin Frithiofsson - CEO, Daya Ventures
Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg - Senior Advisor, Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Norway (LMI)
FIRESIDE CHAT 2 · HOW NORWAY CAN CLOSE THE GAPS: CLINICAL STUDIES, STRATEGIES, AND INCENTIVES
Ole Johan Borge - Department Director of Health and Public Sector, Research Council of Norway
Hanne Haslene-Hox - Senior Research Scientist, SINTEF
Signe Øien Fretland - Head of Coordinating Unit, NorTrials
SESSION 2 · 14:30 – 15:15
Politisk samtale (på norsk)
Moderated by Alfred Bjørlo
«Kvinnehelse som en nasjonal vekstmulighet for Norge»
Margret Hagerup (H), leder av Høyres Kvinneforum og medlem av Stortingets helse- og omsorgskomité
Farahnaz Bahrami (Ap), medlem av Stortingets helse- og omsorgskomité
Kari Helene Partapuoli, General Secretary, Sanitetskvinnene
BREAK & NETWORKING
15:15-16:00
SESSION 3 · 16:00 – 17:30
The Female Body Isn't a Variant — Rethinking Women's Health Through Biology
Moderated by Chelsea Ranger · Sponsored by Igaidi & Medistim
This session examines how sex-specific biology influences disease risk, diagnosis, and treatment in women. Persistent gaps in research and clinical frameworks have left many conditions underrecognized as women’s health and thus undertreated. In this, we highlight how emerging science is advancing understanding, and show what’s needed to turn that progress into improved care.
Dr. Gry Dahle - “Female Participation in Clinical Trials: Patients & PIs”
A very low percentage of clinical trial participants are female, and the number of female Principal Investigators is also low. Can the results be reliably extrapolated to female patients?Prof. Dr. Claudia Barth - “Mapping The Female Brain Across Menopause: A Spotlight on Brain Health and Disease"
Menopause is one of the most profound brain transitions in a woman’s life—but science has barely caught up. Decades of overlooking female biology have left critical gaps in how we understand its impact on brain health, depression, and Alzheimer’s risk. New large-scale brain data is changing that, revealing menopause as both a vulnerable window—and a powerful opportunity for intervention that we can no longer afford to ignore.Dr. Eystein Sverre Husebye - “Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: New Therapeutic Approaches Restoring Hope for Fertility”
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) affects about 3% of women in which the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40, leading to infertility, early menopause, and hormonal disturbances. Research from the Center for Premature Menopause and Autoimmunity at the University of Bergen (UiB), led by Professor Eystein Husebye and supported by DRIV – Center for Women’s Health Research, Helse Bergen, and the Trond Mohn Foundation, the work on POI focuses on investigating its autoimmune and genetic causes while developing new diagnostic methods and immunotherapy approaches aimed at improving fertility outcomes.Dr. Siri Kløkstad / CMedical - "Hot Flashes & Cold Facts: The Truth About Menopause"
A myth-busting session on menopause — cutting through misconceptions with clinical evidence.
BREAK & NETWORKING
17:30-18:15
SESSION 4 · 18:15 – 19:15
Equity in Action: Authentic & Inclusive Leadership
KEYNOTE, Caroline Farberger
"How organisations can strengthen culture and impact through genuine, empathetic, equity-driven leadership."
Caroline is the first senior business leader in the Nordics to speak openly about her gender transition. Having been a prominent corporate CEO both as a man and a woman, she shares remarkable insights on inclusion based on her unique experience.
Q&A moderated by Gry Strand Festervoll · Sponsored by BMS
Evening Reception
Join us at Toppsenteret for drinks, dinner, and conversations.
19:15 - 21:00
Meet Our Speakers
Opening keynote
Ole Martin Juul Slyngstadli is State Secretary to the Minister of Health and Social Care. Prior to his appointment, he served as an advisor to the Labour Party’s parliamentary group on justice policy and previously worked with the party’s foreign affairs and defense faction. He earned a master’s degree in law from the University of Oslo in 2022 and later worked at Dæhlin Sand Advokatfirma after serving as general manager of the legal aid initiative Jussbuss. Slyngstadli also served on the Stavanger City Council from 2011 to 2019, including as chair of the control committee.
Session 1: The Innovation Value Chain in Norway: Closing Gaps to Benefit Women
Frode Nakkim is a Norwegian journalist and communications professional with a career spanning both media and the pharmaceutical industry. He spent 18 years at VG as a foreign correspondent in the UK, news editor, sports editor, and columnist. He then moved into corporate communications, holding senior roles at Sana Pharma Group and Bayer Norway. He is the son of Conservative politician Kjellaug Nakkim and brother of NRK editor Kyrre Nakkim.
FIRESIDE CHAT 1 · WHY INVESTING IN WOMEN'S HEALTH IS INSEPARABLE FROM INDUSTRY & WORKING LIFE
Michael Engsig has extensive experience within the pharma industry and 20+ years of international experience in capital markets and publicly listed companies. This includes a successful track record in general management, R&D and commercial functions. Since 2019, Michael has been CEO at Nykode Therapeutics. Michael holds a M.Sc. in chemistry with a specialization in biotechnology from the Technical University of Denmark and a graduate diploma in Business Administration (HD) from Copenhagen Business School.
Malin Frithiofsson is the CEO and Co-founder of Daya Ventures, the world's first venture studio focused on women's health, with hubs in Sweden and Kenya. Her work centers on closing the gender health gap by building and launching femtech companies from the ground up across diagnostics, digital health, and deeptech. She brings a systems-level perspective to healthcare innovation, arguing that the industry's longstanding design bias around male bodies and data has created not just a gap, but a canyon in how women's health needs are understood and served.
Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg is a Senior Advisor, Public Health at LMI, focused on vaccination policy, antibiotic resistance, and access to medicines. She holds a PhD in pharmacoepidemiology from UiO and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and trained as a pharmacist, and she is one of the earliest researchers to base doctoral work on data from Norway's Prescription Registry. Before joining LMI, she worked at Anti-Doping Norway, and is widely known as a world champion in orienteering, with over fifteen World and European Championship medals to her name.
FIRESIDE CHAT 2 · HOW NORWAY CAN CLOSE THE GAPS: CLINICAL STUDIES, STRATEGIES, AND INCENTIVES
Ole Johan Borge is Director of Health Research and Health Innovation at the Research Council of Norway, where he works to bridge the pharmaceutical and health industry with research institutions, with a particular focus on health data. He holds a master's degree in biotechnology from the University of Oslo and a PhD in stem cell biology from the University of Lund, and has previously served as Director of the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board (Bioteknologirådet) and as a section head at Innovation Norway with responsibility for health and ICT.
Hanne Haslene-Hox is a Senior Research Scientist at SINTEF with a research focus spanning tumor biology, extracellular vesicles, proteomics, and women's health. She holds a PhD from the University of Bergen, where her thesis examined the microenvironment of ovarian carcinoma through proteomic analysis of tissue interstitial fluid. Her work includes research on endometriosis and advanced cell models of the tumor microenvironment, bringing a biotechnological lens to conditions that have historically been under-researched.
Signe Øien Fretland is a cand.pharm. from the University of Oslo with 20+ years across clinical trials in both public and private sectors. She heads the NorTrials Coordinating Unit — the operational engine of Norway's public–private partnership to attract more industry-initiated clinical trials. Her work sits at the heart of Norway's national strategy to boost clinical trial activity and forge stronger ties between healthcare, academia, and pharma.
Session 2: Politisk samtale (på norsk) - «Kvinnehelse som en nasjonal vekstmulighet for Norge»
Alfred Bjørlo is a former Liberal Party (Venstre) politician from Nordfjordeid, who served as a Member of the Storting for Sogn og Fjordane from 2021-2025, where he was the party's health policy spokesperson. He previously served 3 terms as mayor of Eid/Stad municipality and has a background in biology from the University of Bergen. He now leads the business foundation Drivkraft, and sits on the board of Women in Life Science Norway (WiLD Norway), where he has been a vocal advocate for gender balance in the health industry and greater prioritisation of women's health.
Margret Hagerup is a Høyre politician, Member of the Storting for Rogaland, serving her third consecutive term. As a member of the Standing Committee on Health and Care Services, she has become one of the Storting's most prominent voices on women's health, pushing for hormones to be covered on the blue prescription scheme for women in menopause and arguing that women's health must be treated as both a health and an equality issue.
Farahnaz Bahrami is a member of the Arbeiderpartiet, Member of the Storting for Hedmark, serving her first term. As a member of the Storting's Health and Care Committee, she is a dedicated advocate with a strong commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard — especially those who are too often overlooked. Her work centers on improving the lives of children and young people, with a particular focus on mental health. She is passionate about making sure that youth with psychological challenges are taken seriously and that young people have real influence in decisions that affect their lives.
Session 3: The Female Body Isn't a Variant — Rethinking Women's Health Through Biology
Chelsea Ranger is the founder and chair of Women in Life Science Norway (WiLD Norway), launched in 2024 to advance women into leadership and board roles in health and life sciences. She is a prominent voice on the structural barriers holding back femtech investment and innovation, with a career at the intersection of clinical expertise, business development, and investor relations across the Nordic life science ecosystem.
Dr. Gry Dahle is a Consultant in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Oslo University Hospital, with extensive experience at the intersection of clinical practice and medical research. Her work focuses on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and advancing standards in cardiovascular treatment. She brings a critical perspective on representation in clinical trials and leadership in research, highlighting how gaps in participation shape the quality and equity of healthcare.
Prof. Claudia Barth is a neuroscientist & professor of neurobiology and hormones at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and senior researcher at Diakonhjemmet in Oslo. Her work focuses on hormonal changes across the life course & brain health, and risk for psychiatric and neurological disorders. By integrating clinical, preclinical, and computational research, she brings a leading perspective to women’s health, brain science, and systemic research gaps.
Eystein Sverre Husebye is a Norwegian endocrinologist and professor at the University of Bergen, as well as a consultant at Haukeland University Hospital. His research focuses on autoimmune endocrine diseases, particularly adrenal and ovarian insufficiency, Graves’ disease, and polyendocrine syndromes. He leads several international research initiatives in endocrinology and is widely recognized for his work on adrenal insufficiency and autoimmune disease mechanisms.
Siri Kløkstad is a Norwegian gynaecologist with a passion for contraception, abortion, vulval health, and sexual health. She has worked at Elverum Hospital and Oslo University Hospital, and currently splits her time between C-Medical and Sex og samfunn (Sex and Society), Norway's largest specialist centre for sexual health in Oslo. She is a sought-after speaker and public communicator on women's reproductive health, bringing clinical expertise to broader conversations about issues that are often under-discussed.
Session 4: Equity in Action: Authentic & Inclusive Leadership
Gry Strand Festervoll is Associate Director of Strategy and Operations for the Nordics at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), where she has worked for over a decade. In addition to her operational role, she leads the BMS Network of Women (B-NOW) across Europe and the Middle East, driving gender inclusion initiatives within the company. She sits on the Board of Directors of Women in Life Science Norway (WiLD Norway), and has a background in medical affairs and immuno-oncology from earlier roles within BMS Norway.
Caroline Farberger is a former CEO and board executive and one of the most compelling voices in the Nordics on leadership, change, and inclusion. She has led major organizational transformations while navigating her own personal journey. As the first senior business leader in the Nordics to speak openly about her gender transition, she brings a rare and powerful perspective on authenticity, trust, and inclusive leadership.
Registration & Tickets
Member & Academic
350 NOK + VAT
SOLD OUT
The WiLD Norway Summer Summit 2026 was a ticketed event.
Members and academics: 350 NOK + VAT
General Admission: 750 NOK + VAT
*Academic tickets require valid proof of academic status.
*Invoices were issued approx. 2 weeks before the event and must be paid prior to attendance. Tickets are non-refundable.
This event was made possible through the support of:
Sponsors
Partners
Supporters
Summer Summit Exhibitors
Exhibitors
In addition to our sponsors, we were delighted to have the following exhibiting with us:
Bio-Me | Stø group | Daya ventures | Nørs Care | Aleap
Event & Cancellation Terms:
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made latest 2 weeks before the event to avoid fees. All those who do not attend without cancelling by the deadline will be charged a 350 NOK no-show fee.