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
BiomACS (Biomaterial Advanced Cell Screening) specializes in improving the interaction between the human body and implants. With our unique screening technology, we can quickly and accurately test how human cells respond to different materials, a process that traditionally takes years, but with us only takes a few days. Our expertise lies at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, cell biology, and clinical practice. Thanks to this multidisciplinary approach, we support the medical industry in developing safer, higher-performing, and more personalized medical devices. BiomACS provides screening services for manufacturers of implants such as prostheses, stents, catheters, and intraocular lenses. Our technology helps them achieve better designs faster and reduce complications such as rejection or infection. In this way, we contribute to a higher quality of life for patients worldwide. (www.biomacs.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/
Biotrack/NL-Lab are specialized in microbioligical research. We develop tools for gutmicrobiome analyses, antibiotics susceptibility testing using our patented C-FISH technology. Our technology focuses on function and activity of micro-organisms. We work from our own, fully equipped microbiological laboratory in Leeuwarden with a BSL 2 and 3 level.
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
Researchers at the UMCG and their spin-off CC Diagnostics, located on Campus Groningen, have developed a new test that could make cervical cancer screening more efficient and user-friendly.
A full house, sharp discussions, and an afternoon in which science and industry visibly strengthened one another. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon demonstrated that Groningen is not only a strong geographical spot, but also a substantive force within the Dutch life sciences landscape. The event, organized by FIGON (Federation for Innovative Drug Research Netherlands) in collaboration with LIFE Cooperative, brought professionals from across the Netherlands to the north. Researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, and clinical experts gathered around one shared ambition: to bring innovative medicines to patients faster, smarter, and better.Klaas Poelstra, Chair of FIGON, looks back positively on the event: “It was great to see local businesses in the health sector and leading academic scientists engaging in conversation with one another. They have so much to gain from each other.“From what to how What became particularly clear during the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon was how rapidly the field of drug development is evolving, and how essential collaboration has become. At a time when therapies are increasingly targeted, complex, and costly, the focus is shifting from only what we develop to how we do so: more intelligently, more sustainably, and better aligned with patient needs. This broader context was already reflected in the opening remarks by Klaas Poelstra, who emphasized the importance of continued innovation for the Netherlands’ competitive position and patient care. On behalf of the LIFE Cooperative, Robert Hof highlighted that regional collaboration is a decisive factor: by bringing science, entrepreneurship, and clinical practice closer together, real acceleration can be achieved. The first substantive contributions made it clear that innovation today is not only about new molecules, but also about new delivery methods. Rob Steendam demonstrated how long-acting microspheres can improve treatment adherence and reduce patient burden. Jaap Wieling showed how inhalation technology is evolving into a platform for both local and systemic therapies. Through her research on polyelectrolyte coacervates, Marleen Kamperman placed these innovations within a fundamental scientific framework. After the break, the discussion shifted to clinical translation and advanced nanomedicines. Flávia Sousa illustrated how polymer-based nanomedicines contribute to targeted brain delivery. Ad Roffel underscored the importance of robust pharmacokinetic studies in an era where the demands for evidence continue to increase. Erik Frijlink reflected on innovation within both existing and new delivery systems, while Helder Santos outlined the potential of RNA delivery via nanotechnology for cardiac tissue repair.More than a program During the closing networking reception, it became clear what participants had gained from the afternoon. As Robert Hof, Board Member of the LIFE Cooperative, put it: “The FIGON Winter Afternoon was an excellent event with distinguished speakers and strong engagement. We look forward to the next edition and extend our sincere thanks to Klaas Poelstra and FIGON for hosting the event in the Northern Netherlands.” The common thread throughout the afternoon was therefore unmistakable: the future of medicines does not lie within a single discipline, but in the connections between them. In a time of increasing healthcare pressure, rapid technological advancement, and international competition, such collaboration is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon showed that this collaboration is firmly rooted in the Northern Netherlands and that Groningen is positioning itself emphatically as a breeding ground and accelerator for innovative drug development.
Innovation in medicines takes center stage on Thursday, 26 February during the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon, an inspiring event organized by FIGON (Federation for Innovative Drug Research Netherlands) in collaboration with the LIFE Cooperative.
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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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