The impact of true connection: working together in Life Science, Health, and MedTech.

Sustainability goes beyond the environment; it is also a vital part of the future of our healthcare system. During the fourth edition of the LIFE Science Conference , the theme 'Sustainability in Health(care)' takes center stage—a topic that evokes both urgency and inspiration within the life sciences and healthcare sector. On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, Forum Groningen will transform into a meeting place for professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers from the life sciences and health sector. The LIFE Science Conference is organized by the LIFE Cooperative, in collaboration with Health~Holland, the Municipality of Groningen, and NV NOM. The conference offers attendees an afternoon filled with networking opportunities, sharp pitches, the presentation of the Innovation Award, interactive panel discussions, and keynote speakers exploring the impact of innovation and the urgency of sustainability. Inspiring speakers and current challenges "In recent years, the LIFE Science Conference has welcomed top speakers to highlight current themes, innovations, and challenges. Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa, Special Envoy Hans Schikan, Professor Marcel Levi, and Captain of Science Wiro Niessen have taken the stage at the conference over the past few years. 'For the fourth edition, new big names will be announced soon,' says Ronald Hesse, Director of LIFE Cooperative. Participants can expect impact makers from both within and beyond the region. Additionally, they will be inspired by surprising collaborations that redefine sustainability, along with fresh ideas that serve as the starting point for tomorrow's innovations." Registration and nominations This year, the program of the LIFE Science Conference will once again conclude with the presentation of the now-renowned LIFE Science Innovation Award. This award is the ultimate recognition for groundbreaking northern innovations in the life sciences & health sector. Along with the opening of conference registrations, nominations for the Innovation Award have also begun. The Innovation Award is presented to the innovation with the greatest impact in the field of Life Sciences & Health, originating from the Northern Netherlands. Companies, (knowledge) institutions, and projects can nominate themselves or others. "Do you know an innovation that deserves recognition? Or are you involved in a groundbreaking project within the sector? Nominate it and get a chance to win the Innovation Award, which includes a €7,500 cheque," adds Ronald Hesse. Nominations for the Innovation Award can be submitted via http://www.lifescienceconference.nl About the LIFE Cooperative The LIFE Cooperative is the northern collaboration in the field of life sciences and medical technology, created by, for, and with the regional business community. The cooperative focuses on strengthening the region's innovative capacity through effective and efficient collaboration. The impact of the LIFE Cooperative on the Life Sciences & Health sector in Northern Netherlands is significant: more than 55 companies – ranging from startups and SMEs to international players – are members, accounting for 4,750 FTEs and a combined revenue of 450 million euros. Picture: Casper Maas

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.