The goal behind the establishment of the Open Diagnostics Ecosystem (ODE) was crystal clear in the spring of 2020: to bolster and market the position of North Netherlands as a global player in the field of (medical) diagnostics. As the project draws to a close in December 2023, the initiators reflect upon an exceedingly successful journey. Ton Vries, Chairman of the LIFE Cooperative and initiator of ODE, states, "In a relatively short period, we've successfully shepherded nine projects from eight different companies within ODE. The results of these companies speak volumes: the network infrastructure and substantive financial support have led to tremendous achievements in diagnostics. We take exceptional pride in this."
The Northern region has proven itself within the project as an exceptionally suitable hub for developing innovative diagnostic products. One of ODE's aims was to entice a leading diagnostic player like Roche to establish itself in the region. While this hasn't occurred yet, alliances were forged at various international leading expos such as BIO in Boston and Leipzig, attracting a significant number of startups from the UK to Groningen to foster collaboration and learning.
The eight startups that successfully underwent a learning journey within ODE include Reyedar, Protyon, Neolook, Sabiad, SG Papertronics, Detact Diagnostics, Tagworks Pharmaceuticals, and CC Diagnostics. From bacterial imaging enabling early infection detection at Sabiad to utilizing AI to detect anomalies in premature babies by Neolook, these companies have leveraged the Open Diagnostics ecosystem to boost their innovations. The startups recognize the potency of the ODE network, its accessible approach, and funding as pivotal ingredients for their success. View all projects in the Open Diagnostics Video here.
The learning projects conclude their journeys at ODE in December, marking the successful closure of this initiative. Peter Ketelaar, Director of ODE, emphasizes that the experiences from ODE hint at more opportunities: "From the outset, it was clear this was a journey with a defined beginning and end. However, the positive experiences of participating companies and the successful innovations hint at more. We're proud of the international impact achieved. Therefore, we're currently exploring the prospects of a follow-up to this ecosystem. There's interest from the industry, and we're seriously considering options for a sequel to ODE, in the form of a Life Sciences & Health Portal, not limited to diagnostics but for the entire sector."
""The network infrastructure and substantive financial support have led to tremendous achievements in diagnostics. We take exceptional pride in this.""
Ton Vries Chair of the LIFE Cooperative
Protyon, a medtech startup from Groningen, aims to enhance the quality and prolong the lives of people with cancer, specifically lung cancer. Within ODE, they've developed a prototype of their innovative software technology, Voythea. This technology provides physicians an automated tool for personalized treatment options based on molecular modeling of unknown cancer mutations. The objective is to enhance treatment effectiveness through better analysis of mutations in cancer proteins. Protyon's software generates 3D models of mutated proteins, enabling more precise treatment proposals. Named to capture the essence of the company - a blend of 'Procyon' and 'protein' - Protyon serves as a 'navigator' for physicians, based on the pioneering work of UMCG's Molecular Tumor Board. Their efforts showcase promising results, significantly extending lifespans and improving the quality of life for patients, garnering national and international interest in their technology.
Reyedar focuses on developing preventive diagnostic tools for visual and neurodegenerative conditions. Within ODE, Reyedar furthered its diagnostic tool, contributing, among other things, to early detection of changes in eye movements. By combining swift oculography with artificial intelligence, Reyedar offers medical insights into the nervous system and visual functions. This non-invasive, painless method rapidly gathers extensive information, alleviating pressure on physicians and catering to diverse age groups. They aim to promote telemedicine by developing a system to remotely collect and analyze eye data, enhancing healthcare accessibility. Participation in ODE has propelled Reyedar significantly, as stated by Alessandro Grillini, CEO of Reyedar: "We began the ODE project with a prototype essentially being a bundle of cables holding various components together, and we ended the project with a complete device that has made headlines multiple times in the Dutch optics market."
Source article: ODE
In the North, and in Groningen in particular, there are dozens of companies working on innovations in the fields of life sciences and health. There are many hidden gems among them, says Ronald Hesse, director of the LIFE Cooperative partnership. “Millions of patients worldwide have already benefited from innovations developed here in Groningen,” he says.
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.
