Our mission At Aquilo, it is our mission to provide contract research services within the respiratory field. We perform efficacy analyses of existing and novel therapies for lung diseases. Being a spin-off company from the University of Groningen, Aquilo benefits from close interaction with the University, as well as the University Medical Center Groningen and other contract research organizations (CRO’s). Please have a look at our portfolio on our own website or contact us (info@aquilo.nl) to see how our expertise can help you with the development of your therapy. Website: www.aquilo.nl
Ardena Assen offers its services to the pharmaceutical industry and veterinary industry. It is active in all phases of pharmaceutical development and is a Good Laboratory Pratices (GLP) compliant laboratory, inspected by the Dutch authorities on a regular bases. Ardena Assen possesses the most advanced analysis techniques for both chromatographic assays and immunochemistry assays. Website: www.ardena.com
Encapsulation inside microbubbles. This means encapsulating the active within a shell of gas. This shell of gas is a perfect barrier against leakage of the active as long as the active is non-volatile (which is the case for most relevant actives). However, just like soap bubbles our microbubbles can also be made to ‘pop’ and this instantaneously and completely releases the drug. This popping can be made to happen in response to triggers such as pH, osmotic pressure, shear or ultrasound making microbubble-encapsulation a very versatile and widely applicable technology. Other advantages of the technology include the use of a very small amount of excipients (since our main excipient is gas) and the fact that the barrier and release properties of the microbubbles do not depend on physicochemical properties of the active to be encapsulated. This ensures a short time-to-market. Website: www.bether-encapsulates.nl
Our proprietary coating technology efficiently kills bacteria upon contact, without being at risk to elicit bacterial resistance. We can apply our coating on PDMS and on titanium substrates, but our technology has potential for a variety of other materials. Our initial focus is on titanium orthopedic trauma materials (e.g., pins and plates) and urinary catheters (PDMS). Future applications include most indwelling medical devices. Website: https://bioprexmedical.com/
The products and services they provide are categorized into four key pillars: Colocation (optimally conditioned computer rooms with redundant (emergency) power supplies), Connectivity (connections between locations, data centers, the internet, and public cloud services), Cloud (private cloud, partner clouds, and hybrid cloud solutions integrating public cloud providers), and HPC (modular and scalable high-performance data processing, storage, and distribution). Our HPC platform and its related HPC ecosystem enable businesses and public organizations to utilize these functionalities without requiring large investments or over-dimensioning their own IT infrastructure. 100% Dutch in terms of ownership, structure, locations, and compliance with national laws and regulations. Bytesnet Groningen Bytesnet is also rooted in Groningen , located on the Campus Groningen . In 2018, we opened our advanced data center with an innovative Data Lab on Campus Groningen. Here, in addition to colocation and high-performance computing , we provide collaborative spaces for students and businesses. The data center is fully redundant in terms of power supply, cooling, and security . Because d’ROOT functions as the next-generation data center , it is designed for sustainability and high-performance computing for big data . It offers more computing capacity with responsible energy consumption and maximized reuse of waste heat. We are already operating on 100% green energy . Website: Bytesnet
In a recent clinical validation study using samples from the Dutch National Screening Program, the Methica CC Kit achieved 97% sensitivity in cancer detection without compromising specificity. This study, conducted across multiple centers, reflects real-world performance and marks a significant advancement in cervical cancer diagnostics. CC Diagnostics is headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, and collaborates with various partners, including the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and IQ Products. Their mission is to empower women by providing optimal cervical cancer screening that is accurate, accessible, and comfortable.
With our diagnostics and advice, we support healthcare professionals 24/7 in establishing diagnoses, ensuring the right care for their patients. Certe possesses extensive expertise, high-tech equipment in the fields of medical microbiology and clinical chemistry, and a comprehensive logistics service, ranging from medical transport to a network of blood collection locations in the region. The organization employs over 1,200 staff members. Website: Certe.nl
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission, our excellent science, and our strong sense of purpose guide us in everything we do. We approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps improve the health and well-being of many people worldwide. Website: http://www.brainsonline.org/
Our focus Cortalix operates through three main pillars: Internal Programs : We are advancing clinical candidates targeting PDGFRA, PDGFRB, FAP, IGF2R, and EGFR for applications in ImmunoPET imaging, targeted ImmunoRT, and immunotherapy, particularly in fibrosis and fibrotic cancers. These programs are available for licensing. Partner Programs : We collaborate with companies and academic research groups to screen and select suitable sdAb candidates for novel targets using our synthetic sdAb discovery platform. We assist in developing these sdAbs into fully-fledged applications and facilitate connections with downstream partners for production. Services : We offer stand-alone sdAb selection and development projects on a fee-for-service basis for CROs, biotech and pharma companies, and research groups. Applications include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, research tools, and bioanalytical applications such as immunohistochemistry, fluorescence imaging, tailored affinity columns, and ELISA development and validation. Our mission At Cortalix, our mission is to leverage modern, affordable, and animal-free nanobody library technology to develop next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and bio-analytical tools. Headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, we are committed to supporting scientific innovation through our expertise in single-domain antibodies. Website: www.cortalix.com
Exciting news for LIFE Cooperative member Cortalix , this Groningen-based biotech start-up has received an investment of 1 million euros from Future Tech Ventures , the Rabobank Innovation Loan , and various subsidies to accelerate the development and commercialization of its single-domain antibody technology. With the investment in Cortalix, Future Tech Ventures proudly adds the sixth start-up to its portfolio since its launch. The official investment moment took place last week at the Zernike Campus, where Cortalix is located in Innolab Agrifood. Cortalix is a leading biotechnology company that creates single-domain antibodies and makes them suitable for applications in PET imaging diagnostics, radiotherapy, and CAR-T immunotherapy. Thanks to its own platform for the selection, production, and functionalization of these antibody fragments, Cortalix offers a powerful alternative to traditional antibodies. Nanobodies are smaller, more stable, and more flexible, but retain the same versatile application possibilities, making them ideal for various medical applications such as cancer therapy, molecular diagnostics, and other medical innovations. With the support of Future Tech Ventures, Cortalix takes an important step in its mission to achieve and bring biotechnological breakthroughs to the market. Ignacio Faustino, investment manager at Future Tech Ventures, is enthusiastic about the investment in Cortalix due to their innovative approach to synthetic nanobody technologies: “We believe that their next-generation humanized nanobodies will provide unparalleled solutions for in vitro diagnostics and targeted therapies, which will have a significant impact on people's health. We are proud to support Cortalix and strengthen Groningen's position as a biotechnology hub, which perfectly aligns with our vision for the future." From research to clinical application What sets Cortalix apart from other companies is the development of animal-free antibodies. The nanobodies produced by the company are not only more efficient and stable but also faster and more cost-effective to produce than traditional antibodies. Unique to Cortalix is that they handle everything: from finding and creating these antibodies to actually applying them in the medical world. Further development of Cortalix With the investment from Future Tech Ventures, Cortalix will expand its platform with humanized libraries for radiopharmaceutical and CAR-T therapies, making them suitable for clinical applications in humans. This process prevents nanobodies from being recognized as foreign by the body, allowing them to be used more effectively in treatments. “This investment allows us to further refine our technology and prepare it for clinical applications,” says Herman Steen, CEO of Cortalix. “Our goal is to become a leading player in nanobody-based PET imaging, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This funding brings us a step closer to realizing that vision.” Collaboration with UMCG Cortalix works closely with the University Medical Center Groningen ( UMCG ) on various innovative projects. One of the key collaborations focuses on the development of new CAR-T cell therapies. By using Cortalix's technology for targeted treatments, cancer patients can be helped more effectively. The collaboration with UMCG provides access to extensive expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, accelerating the implementation of innovative therapies. About Cortalix Cortalix was founded in July 2023 but builds on years of expertise in nanobody technology and PET imaging. The company is part of a strong biomedical ecosystem in Northern Netherlands, with collaborations within the LIFE Cooperative, the University of Groningen (RUG), and UMCG. With a dedicated team of five professionals and ambitious expansion plans, Cortalix continues to innovate and work on breakthroughs that have a direct impact on healthcare worldwide. About Future Tech Ventures Future Tech Ventures is an investment fund focused on supporting high-tech startups in the proof-of-concept phase, with a particular focus on Northern Netherlands. The fund offers accessible financing, combined with relevant services and an extensive network, to stimulate technological, social, and economic impact. Source article: Future Tech Ventures Source picture: Casper Maas Fotografie
Four new companies, including LIFE Cooperative member Bioprex Medical , founded by researchers from the Faculty of Science & Engineering, have been nominated to participate in the fifth edition of the Academic Startup Competition (ASC). The ASC is an annual program in which the most promising academic startups from Dutch universities and research institutes participate. The goal of the ASC is to accelerate their growth, provide clarity on where to focus, and open doors that were previously closed. The ASC starts with forty teams, nominated by Dutch universities, startup programs, research institutes, and research programs. After three rounds, ten winners will be announced on April 2, who will travel to the U.S. a month later. There, in Silicon Valley, these teams will meet entrepreneurs, investors, and connectors. Bioprex Medical Medical implants, or other medical devices inside the body, are susceptible to bacterial infections. Moreover, such infections are often difficult to treat with antibiotics, which can easily lead to bacterial resistance. Scientists from the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, led by Prof. Ton Loontjes and Dr. Rui Li, have developed an antibacterial coating that can prevent these types of infections in medical implants. The coating, based on so-called quaternary ammonium compounds, kills bacteria through an electrostatic mechanism. This mechanism differs significantly from the way antibiotics work, meaning the use of the coating does not contribute to the development of resistance. Read the full article from the University of Groningen (FSE Science Newsroom | René Fransen) here.
De LIFE Cooperative, the cooperative for the life sciences & health sector in the Northern Netherlands, is taking a new step toward the future with the announcement of its new board composition. As of October 1, the LIFE Cooperative proudly welcomes two new faces: Annelies Wolters, director of Lode Holding, and Koos Koops, partner at Carduso Capital and former co-founder and CEO of Xendo. These new board members bring fresh ideas and energy to elevate the cooperative's ambitions to the next level.
LIFE Connect is all about accessibility and collaboration. Invitations are personal, and registration is required to ensure an engaging, tailored experience. The LIFE management team will act as both editors and hosts, ensuring the quality and relevance of content shared.
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The LIFE Cooperative strengthens the position of its members in the Life Sciences & Health sector by facilitating networking and collaboration, providing access to talent, knowledge, facilities and financing, stimulating innovation and sustainable employment, as well as representing the interests of its members with stakeholders such as policy makers, institutions, investors and suppliers.
The LIFE Cooperative was founded in 2014 by and for northern entrepreneurs in the Life Sciences and Health sector, with the aim of promoting innovation and sustainable employment.
Over the past 10 years, the LIFE Cooperative has grown into the regional example of the united power of entrepreneurs. More than €50 million in investments and more than 500 new, high-quality jobs were created through a number of iconic projects.
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