575.   Norway would first like to thank the proponents of the communication contained in document IP/C/W/657. We agree with the basic assumption that the protection and use of intellectual property rights can be an enabling component for successful commercialisation. The document touches upon many issues which the Norwegian Government is focusing on heavily in our national innovation policy. 576.   The Norwegian Government recently forwarded to Parliament a White Paper on the Health Industry in April 2019 (a summary in English can be found on the homepage of the Norwegian Government⁸). 577.   The main objective of the White Paper is to contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Norwegian health industry. We perceive the starting point for the Norwegian health industry to be good, with decent growth rates through the last few years. At the same time, we also see substantial potential to do even better in the future – not the least through more, and more professional use of IPR. This includes both academic institutions, the public health sector (state-owned hospitals etc.) and private enterprises. 578.   We see an untapped potential for increased and better commercialisation of research results and business ideas generated by both academia and the public health sector. Many Norwegian health industry enterprises, but also universities and hospitals etc. find the process of commercialisation challenging. 579.   We have identified certain barriers to growth in the Norwegian health sector which the Government can help overcome; two of these are:  Getting public health institutions to develop into being more attractive partners for private enterprises; and  Facilitating more and better commercialisation of medical and health-related research and of ideas generated within the health and care sector. 580.   In this field, public-private cooperation on the basis of sound IP portfolios will be key, and the Government aims to contribute to increased professionalization on both sides. 581.   The deliberate and professional use of IPR will be a core element at the base of achieving this goal. An increasing level of competencies in this field is needed. A broad and appropriate offer of education in the field of IPR at institutions of Higher Learning is also of the essence. 582.   We will look more deeply into the question of whether more measures from the part of the Government will be necessary and meaningful in order to bring this about.