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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.

In September, NoordZ magazine published a wonderful article about the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative, in which we share our growth, collaborations, and future plans. The article highlights how LIFE brings companies together and fosters innovation in the Life Sciences & Health sector. Read the full article below (in Dutch)!

Third edition of the LIFE Science Conference a great success A completely sold-out venue, inspiring keynotes, the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative, and a thrilling conclusion to the Innovation Award with winner Neolook . This proved to be the perfect recipe for a vibrant edition of the LIFE Science Conference on Tuesday, September 24. This year's conference revolved around the theme 'Data Science for Life Science,' emphasizing the integration of data and artificial intelligence in the life sciences and health sectors. Over 200 entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers gathered to exchange knowledge and network about the future and ambitions of the sector. The conference, held at Forum Groningen, was opened by the chairperson of the day, Renée van der Sluis, followed by the official kickoff of the event by Carine Bloemhoff, alderman of the municipality of Groningen, and Peter Ketelaar, director of the LIFE Cooperative. "For the third year in a row, we are organizing the conference on the fourth Tuesday of September. It’s becoming a real tradition, and I’m proud that we can once again showcase our innovative cooperative in life sciences and health, celebrate our 10th anniversary, and toast to it afterward. I encourage everyone to continue networking, searching for new collaborations and ideas," said Peter Ketelaar. AI makes healthcare more personalized Wiro Niessen, Captain of Science for the Top Team Life Sciences & Health and specialized in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, gave a captivating first keynote. He envisions a significant role for creating a data-driven infrastructure in healthcare. With the right data, healthcare can become more precise and personalized. After a short break, the audience returned for the second keynote, delivered by physician, administrator, and professor of medicine Marcel Levi. In his keynote, he discussed the broader societal implications of AI and data science and their role in healthcare, business, and science. Marcel Levi emphasized that there is great potential for using data and AI in healthcare, but that human involvement remains indispensable and cannot be replaced by computers. Celebration of innovation and collaboration A highlight of the afternoon was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative. This milestone was marked by an interactive panel discussion with several members of the LIFE Cooperative, such as Symeres and Ardena, who are rooted in the region but have a global impact. The panel discussion highlighted future ambitions and reflected on the past decade. This was also the moment when two esteemed board members of the LIFE Cooperative, Ton Vries and Johannes Wolters, bid farewell. Their years of voluntary dedication and leadership have played a crucial role in the development of the life sciences sector in the Northern Netherlands.

The G2Solutions project, led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Floris Foijer from the UMCG – ERIBA Research Institute, has received funding from PharmaNL under the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure program for their five-year project. G2Solutions focuses on developing infrastructure for new drug development. “This project demonstrates that we can make unique technologies, such as single-cell sequencing and stem cell and organoid production, available to the world, creating new opportunities for drug development,” says Peter Ketelaar, director of LIFE Cooperative. The project involves close collaboration between UMCG/ERIBA, UMCG/Genetics, LIFE Cooperative, GenomeScan, and Pivot Park Screening Centre.

Drumroll! The finalists for the third edition of the LIFE Science Innovation Award have been announced. With pride, the LIFE Cooperative presents the three finalists: Enatom, Neolook Solutions, and Ivy Medical. On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, these three startups will pitch their innovations at the LIFE Science Conference, with this year's theme being "Data Science for Life Science." This conference is organized annually by the LIFE Cooperative and its partners, with the Innovation Award being a key component. The award is presented to the innovation with the greatest impact in the field of life sciences & health, originating from the Northern Netherlands. The jury will decide on September 24 at the Forum Groningen who among the three finalists will receive the prize.

Het project ‘G2 Solutions’, door de LIFE Cooperative geïnitieerd, is in augustus officieel gehonoreerd door PharmaNL in hun programmalijn Shared Development Infrastructure. Dit is de tweede subsidie die we dit jaar van PharmaNL ontvangen, na de toekenning in februari 2024 voor de LIFE Academy in de programmalijn Human Capital Growth.

Maak kennis met de Compact MBA, dé cursus die jou een stevige introductie biedt in de wereld van Business Administration. Deze training in het najaar van 2024 is specifiek samengesteld voor leden van de LIFE Cooperative: grijp dus nu je kans!