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
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.
