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
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Recently, the LIFE Cooperative, together with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), has been working hard on submitting projects to PharmaNL.
From 2026 onwards, SpringBoard, the industry association for medical technology, will continue as part of LIFE Cooperative. This is a logical step, as both organizations pursue the same goals for their members. With this integration, the knowledge, experience, and network of SpringBoard will become part of LIFE Cooperative — the cooperative of more than 60 Northern Dutch Life Science companies. This marks an important step toward strengthening and further growing the Life Science & Health sector in the Northern Netherlands. “We complement each other perfectly and are even stronger together. By joining forces in this way, we increase the effectiveness of the solutions developed to contribute to sustainable healthcare. In doing so, we create economic opportunities for our members!” — Ronald Hesse, Director of LIFE Cooperative Joint ambition Since its founding in 2014, LIFE Cooperative has worked closely and enthusiastically with SpringBoard. On behalf of SpringBoard, Jan Thalens has played an important role in this collaboration by contributing to the further development of the cooperative as a member of LIFE Cooperative’s board. In 2025, SpringBoard decided it was time for the next step. LIFE Cooperative shares this ambition and will further expand its activities in the field of Enabling Technologies & Medical Devices starting in 2026. “Together, we are creating new opportunities for our members and strengthening the ecosystem around medical technology,” says Jan Thalens, board member of SpringBoard . About LIFE Cooperative LIFE Cooperative promotes innovation in the life sciences by facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors. Through various programs and events, LIFE fosters the development of technologies that improve health and well-being. The cooperative represents more than 60 companies in the Northern Netherlands — from ambitious startups and innovative SMEs to international players. Together, they account for approximately 5,000 FTEs and a turnover of €500 million. About SpringBoard SpringBoard is an independent industry association for medical technology, founded in 2008 as an initiative by former employees of Cordis Roden. The network has grown to about 65 members and promotes innovation and knowledge sharing, supports entrepreneurs, and assists in setting up new companies. SpringBoard has contributed to the creation of seven new companies and around 100 jobs. Through workshops, networking events, and an open innovation platform, SpringBoard strengthens the MedTech sector and the development of human capital in the Northern Netherlands.
Peter Ketelaar, Chair of the LIFE Cooperative Board: “We are incredibly proud of Johannes and Ton. Their dedication has truly shaped the Life Sciences, Health & MedTech sector, not only in the Northern Netherlands. Their commitment, expertise, and entrepreneurship have strengthened our cooperative and had a major societal and economic impact—both nationally and internationally!” Johannes Wolters: connector and inspirer For most of his career, Johannes Wolters has been committed to advancing the Life Sciences, Health & MedTech sector in the Northern Netherlands, with a strong focus on societal and economic impact. From 2000 until his retirement earlier this year, he was the sole owner of Lode Holding—a more than 75-year-old company that flourished under his leadership. With subsidiaries Lode, ProCare, aXtion, Umaco, and Omnium, the group annually produces hundreds of medical devices and software solutions that contribute to health and rehabilitation worldwide. Almost every Olympic athlete improves their performance with equipment from Lode Holding. Johannes initiated the Wenckebach project and other large-scale collaborative initiatives, invested millions in innovative medical ideas for diverse target groups, and helped establish numerous spin-offs. His work has directly supported thousands of patients every day. Until recently, he was active in regional initiatives such as SSIG (Sport Science & Innovation Groningen), the LIFE Cooperative (as co-founder), and the Campus Trail, while also mentoring young entrepreneurs and startups. The next generation has since taken over the family business. Annelies Wolters, CEO of Lode Holding and daughter of Johannes: “My father has always dedicated himself to society and the well-being of others. Whether it’s medical innovation, supporting vulnerable groups, or inspiring young people in technology and science, his efforts have always been driven by responsibility, vision, and a deep sense of community.” Ton Vries: international innovation from Groningen For more than 35 years, Ton Vries has been a driving force in the Life Sciences & Health sector. From 2000 to 2020, he served as CEO of Syncom BV, which under his leadership grew into a successful spin-off of the University of Groningen. In 2017, he co-initiated the merger of Syncom and Mercachem, creating Symeres, a leading European contract research organization with over 600 employees worldwide. Ton is the inventor of the Dutch Resolution, a method for efficiently separating chiral compounds. This breakthrough resulted in patents, publications, licensing agreements with DSM, and four PhD theses—solidifying the Netherlands’ international leadership in pharmaceutical crystallization technology and green chemistry. He is also co-founder and CEO of BioBTX, a Groningen-based company with global impact that gives plastic waste a second life. Using its proprietary technology, residual waste streams are converted into valuable, circular building blocks for the chemical industry. The company is now preparing to build the world’s first circular aromatics plant in Delfzijl. Ton co-founded the LIFE Cooperative, guided young entrepreneurs, and realized numerous groundbreaking projects. Personally, he is known for his no-nonsense attitude, boundless energy, and popularity among colleagues. Robert Hof, former colleague at Symeres and LIFE Cooperative board member: “Ton is a true go-getter. When Syncom ran into trouble in 2008, he brought in new investors and rebuilt the company into the great success that Symeres is today. Ton is no-nonsense, not one for status or pretense. He doesn’t wear a suit—not even when Prime Minister Rutte or Queen Máxima visits. His company car? For years it was a 15-year-old Opel Astra, shared with the neighbor. With Ton, it’s always what you see is what you get . That directness and authenticity make him so beloved.” Short CV’s Career and Impact – Johannes Wolters Roles & Organizations 1985: Joined Lode as Controller 1992: Conducted a management buyout with a partner from the then-American owners of Lode 2000: Became 100% owner and CEO of Lode; shortly after, founded additional companies and Lode Holding as the parent company. Between 2000–2025, led multiple acquisitions and participated in various ventures 2023: Next generation joins the company, solidifying Lode Holding as a family business 2025: Retired on May 1, passing leadership to daughter Annelies (CEO) and son Freek (CFO) 2014–2024: Co-founder & board member of LIFE Cooperative Impact & Innovation Produced over 1,000 medical devices , benefiting millions of patients worldwide Projects spanning rehabilitation, sports, ADL equipment, prehabilitation & perioperative care Co-initiated the Campus Trail running event with Campus Groningen (since 2017) Sponsored scientific research and involved in initiatives such as Girls’ Day and student excursions Societal Engagement Mentored young entrepreneurs ( >40 start-ups/year ) Volunteer at SSIG (Sport Science & Innovation Groningen) , ~12 hours/week Advisor and board member for RVO , Smitfonds , and juror in entrepreneurship competitions Career and Impact – Ton Vries Roles & Organizations 2000–2020: CEO of Syncom BV , growing the company from 30 to over 100 employees 2017: Merged Syncom and Mercachem to create Symeres , now with over 600 employees worldwide Co-initiator of InnoLab Chemie , Cliq Swiss Tech , and BioBTX 2014–2024: Co-founder & Chair of LIFE Cooperative 2014–present: Board member of Campus Groningen Current: Board member of PharmaNL Innovation & Science PhD in Organic Chemistry, 1996, University of Groningen under Professor Hans Wijnberg Inventor of the Dutch Resolution method for separating chiral compounds Patents, publications (e.g., Angewandte Chemie ), DSM licensing, 4 PhDs supervised Impact: more efficient and sustainable pharmaceutical production, strengthening Dutch expertise in pharmaceutical crystallization technology Societal Engagement Mentor and coach to young entrepreneurs and colleagues Delivered notable projects within LIFE Cooperative Personal reputation: no-nonsense, energetic, determined, highly respected by peers Athletic: maintains daily long-distance running
