In the magazine BiotechNEWS & Life Sciences, the following article recently appeared about the anniversary and the upcoming LIFE Science Conference in September 2024. Board members Ton Vries and Johannes Wolters reflect on a decade of collaboration and growth, during which the number of members grew from 20 to over 60 companies. The LIFE Cooperative has helped local companies achieve international success, with the annual conference as a highlight that promotes innovation and collaboration. Read on to learn more about their achievements and future plans!
Founders and board members Ton Vries and Johannes Wolters vividly recall how it all began ten years ago. Companies and organizations merged to form the LIFE Cooperative, driven by the power of collaboration. About 20 SMEs in Northern Netherlands joined forces in the Life Cooperative, motivated by the desire to collaborate, lobby more effectively, and launch new projects together. Now, ten years later, there are over 60 member companies, ranging from SMEs and startups to partner members within the network. The board has embraced and witnessed the growth of many companies.
There are plenty of examples of players in the LIFE Cooperative who used Northern Netherlands as a springboard to the rest of the world. Pharmaceutical research company ICON (formerly PRA Health Sciences), the world's largest scientific service provider Thermo Fisher, molecule producer Symeres, and tech pioneer Demcon are just a few organizations that are globally active, rooted in the LIFE Cooperative, and have their origins in Northern Netherlands, a region rich in talent and entrepreneurship, which thrives thanks to the cooperative model.
For instance, Polyganics, now known as Regenity after its acquisition by Collagen Matrix. Or Brains Online, which became part of the American Charles River Laboratories. ABL, which merged into the internationally operating Ardena. All born and bred in the region.
Flagships such as QPS, Certe, Lode Holding, Spark, and Ofichem, promising startups, and many long-established companies together form a united force. “We all have the same goal,” says Ton Vries, one of the cooperative’s founders. “We want to elevate the health sector in Northern Netherlands. All the ingredients are here to make a real impact, to significantly improve healthcare, to truly help more people. That’s what it’s all about. Not just for Northern Netherlands, but for the entire world. By joining forces, we are stronger as a partner in discussions. It enables us to attract funds, investments, and projects that would be out of reach for individual parties.”
LIFE Cooperative assists established names with the internationalization of their markets, knowledge sharing, and providing space, personnel, subsidies, and investments. Startups use the cooperative to open markets, seek advice, collaborate, attract investors, and improve business plans. They can access all these services at a “one-stop shop.” This is how the LIFE Cooperative facilitates innovation; efficiently moving from idea to impact.
To further highlight this impact and foster new collaborations, the LIFE Cooperative organizes the LIFE Science Conference. This year it will be held on September 24, 2024. “It’s becoming a real tradition; every year on the fourth Tuesday of September, our conference takes place in Groningen,” says Johannes Wolters, director of Lode Holding and board member of LIFE Cooperative. “In addition to a substantive program with keynote sessions and ample networking opportunities, there is also an encouragement award for startups. This is the Innovation Award, which is given to the innovation with the most impact in the field of life sciences & health, originating in Northern Netherlands.” This year marks the third time the conference is held and the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative. Interested parties can register for the conference at www.lifecooperative.nl.
Source: BiotechNEWS & Life Sciences
Image Source: LIFE Cooperative
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.
A unique collaboration for an urgent problem Pharmaceutical residues in groundwater and surface water pose a growing problem. Due to population ageing and the rise in chronic conditions, medication use is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. This creates an increasing threat to environmental and human health, particularly in Northern Netherlands as one of the most rapidly ageing regions. What makes this project unique is that parties from the water technology sector, the Life Science & Health sector, and the healthcare sector jointly work with SMEs to develop innovative solutions. Under the leadership of lead partner TCNN, these domains are brought together, resulting in a powerful acceleration of both knowledge development and the actual implementation of innovative solutions.Project objectives Under the guidance of work package leaders Water Alliance, LIFE Cooperative, CEW, and UMCG, the partners focus on elaborating existing problem areas. For each problem area, SMEs will be sought that can provide solutions across four interconnected pillars: • Advanced water treatment: development and application of new technologies to effectively remove pharmaceutical residues from water. • More sustainable medicines and administration: innovation in pharmaceutical products and delivery methods that reduce environmental impact. • Improved prescribing behaviour and medication adherence: awareness-raising and training to prevent unnecessary medication use. • Active knowledge sharing: intensive collaboration, communication, and dissemination of best practices within the region and beyond.Impact after three years During the kick-off, participants emphasised the shared ambitions they aim to achieve: • A structural connection between the water, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors• Measurable reduction in medication use through more conscious prescribing• Sustainability as an integral and self-evident part of medication use and policy In addition to these societal benefits, the project aims to create 75 new jobs and to provide targeted support to at least 30 companies. The developed solutions can also be applied nationally and internationally. This integrated approach positions Northern Netherlands as a national and international frontrunner in tackling pharmaceutical residues in water.Partners The project is a collaboration between: TCNN (lead partner), LIFE Cooperative, Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis Assen, Martini Ziekenhuis, Isala Ziekenhuis, University of Groningen, UMCG, Frisius MC, Water Alliance, Centre of Expertise Watertechnology (CEW), Wetterskip Fryslân, Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, Province of Groningen, Province of Drenthe, Province of Fryslân, SNN, and Medicijnresten uit Water Noord-Nederland. Together, we are building a healthy, sustainable, and economically strong Northern Netherlands.
