Turning plans into results: that is the central focus of the fifth LIFE Science Conference, taking place on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 at Forum Groningen. The LIFE Cooperative will bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers from the life sciences and health sector around one key question: how do we translate vision into concrete impact? The keynote speaker will be Peter Wennink, former CEO of ASML and one of the most influential leaders in the Dutch technology sector. In 2025, he presented his advisory report ‘The Road to Future Prosperity’, in which he advocates targeted investments in innovation to strengthen the Netherlands’ long-term earning capacity.
Ronald Hesse, Director of the LIFE Cooperative: “With this five-year milestone, the LIFE Cooperative marks an important step in strengthening the life sciences and health sector in the Northern Netherlands. This year, we focus on a key shift in our sector: from vision to execution, from policy to economic growth. Plans and reports, such as our Industry Agenda, are essential, but they only create impact when we put them into action. Over the past ten years, we have demonstrated that collaboration works. Now it is time to scale that impact.”
Peter Ketelaar, Chair of the LIFE Cooperative, adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Peter Wennink as keynote speaker at this anniversary conference. Economic impact will be a central theme, closely aligned with the key message of his report.”
The LIFE Science Conference has grown into the leading meeting point for professionals from life sciences, health, medtech, government and academia. The event showcases regional strengths and stimulates new collaborations, with the aim of further strengthening the Northern Netherlands as an innovative health region.
As of today (4 May 2026), registration for the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference is open via www.lifescienceconference.nl.
The day begins with an invitation-only morning programme in a smaller setting, focused on the LIFE Cooperative’s Industry Agenda. In the afternoon, the Municipality of Groningen will officially open the plenary programme, followed by the keynote by entrepreneur and government adviser, Peter Wennink.
One of the highlights is the LIFE Science Innovation Award, recognising groundbreaking initiatives within the sector. The award (€10,000) is open to companies, knowledge institutions and projects originating in the Northern Netherlands. Nominations can be submitted by individuals or on behalf of others.
12:00 – 13:00 | Registration & lunch
13:00 – 14:30 | Opening & keynote by Peter Wennink, including panel discussion on moving from policy to economic growth
14:30 – 15:45 | Innovation Award ceremony
16:00 – 17:00 | Closing & networking reception
The conference is organised in collaboration with Health~Holland, the Municipality of Groningen, the Municipality of Assen, NV NOM and Bedrijvenvereniging WEST, and is co-financed by the European Union, SNN and other partners.
The LIFE Cooperative is the Northern Netherlands partnership for life sciences and medical technology. It aims to strengthen regional innovation by fostering effective collaboration. The cooperative represents more than 60 companies — from startups and SMEs to international players — accounting for 4,750 FTE and a combined turnover of over €500 million. More information: www.lifecooperative.nl
MimeCure heeft een investering van 3 miljoen euro binnengehaald voor de ontwikkeling van een regeneratief geneesmiddel voor de behandeling van chronische longziekten, zoals longfibrose. Dankzij deze financiering kan MimeCure de afronding van de preklinische fase versnellen en beginnen met de voorbereidingen voor klinische proeven, die volgens planning eind 2027 van start zullen gaan. De investeringsronde wordt geleid door Addington Investment Group en ondersteund door mede-investeerder Apsara Investments.
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.
