Medicine shortages are still increasing in the Netherlands. Doctors and pharmacists have been sounding the alarm for some time now because crucial medicines are increasingly unavailable to patients. The need for medicine production in the Netherlands is indisputable, but how do you start and strengthen this process? This issue was central during the second edition of the LIFE Sciences Conference on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, led by chairperson Rosanne Hertzberger, in a sold-out Forum Groningen. During this conference, the LIFE Cooperative, together with partners, once again brought together the players of the Life Science & Health sector in (Northern) Netherlands, this year under the theme 'Bringing Back Drug Manufacturing to the Netherlands'.
“I am convinced that in the Netherlands, we can work together towards a strategy that reduces our dependence on foreign countries when it comes to drug development and production. Collaboration is embedded in all of our DNA, and today’s event at Forum Groningen has proven this once again. It’s fantastic to be part of this informal and innovative community in Northern Netherlands,” said keynote speaker Hans Schikan, Top Team Member Life Sciences & Health at Health~Holland.
After Hans Schikan’s keynote session, participants divided into three breakout sessions to gain further inspiration. Among the speakers were Weite Oldenziel, CEO of Ofichem Group, as well as Marieke Meulemans and Brigitte Drees representing PharmaNL, and Ton Rademaker from HTRIC.
In addition to the development and availability of medicines, the advancement of innovative medical equipment is also a key focus within the LIFE Cooperative. This Northern collaborative network of companies and organizations in the Life Science & Health sector in the Northern Netherlands aims to drive innovation and enhance the sector's societal impact through synergy and knowledge sharing.
During the conference, the cooperative’s ambitious goals were clearly outlined. “It is evident that the return of medicine production to the Netherlands is no longer merely a wish but a necessity. The life sciences sector in the North is well-equipped to play an active role in this, focusing on development and production in collaboration with Dutch and European partners,” said Ton Vries, chairman of the LIFE Cooperative.
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The second part of the conference centered on the LIFE Science Innovation Award, which recognizes innovations with significant impact in life sciences and health originating from Northern Netherlands. The award includes a €5,000 prize. From all submissions and nominations, Protyon, Griphingo Pharmaceuticals, XVIVO, and PureIMS were selected as the four finalists. Following an exciting round of pitches, PureIMS emerged as the winner. They received the rotating trophy, specially designed for the LIFE Science Innovation Award by Woodewide Cities.
The LIFE Cooperative is the Northern collaborative network in life sciences and medical technology. Established in 2015, the cooperative strives to strengthen innovation capacity through effective and efficient collaboration. The LIFE Cooperative has a significant impact on the Life Sciences & Health sector in Northern Netherlands, representing more than 50 companies—from startups and SMEs to international players—5,000 FTEs, and €500 million in revenue.
Learn more: www.lifecooperative.nl
The Life Science Conference 2023 was made possible thanks to:
Municipality of Groningen, NV NOM, Health Holland, BOOM, Open Diagnostics, HTRIC, Ofichem, TalentMark, ICON, Campus Groningen, and Kadans Science Partner.
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.
