Report: key role for Leiden in Dutch earning capacity
Leiden University and the Leiden Bio Science Park can make a significant contribution to the earning capacity of the Netherlands. This is the finding of the National Investment Agenda presented today. The Life Sciences & Biotech sector is given an important key role in the report.
In the report 'The route to future prosperity - A strong Netherlands in a relevant Europe’ (in Dutch), which was commissioned by the outgoing Schoof cabinet and compiled by former ASML chief executive Peter Wennink, a crucial role is assigned to research and the development of new medicines. Input for the report was collected from researchers and companies on the Leiden Bio Science Park (LBSP).
Good for Leiden, the region and the Netherlands
Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board of Leiden University, was present at today’s presentation of the report in The Hague. He is delighted with the recommendations. ‘It is good to read that Wennink emphasises the importance of Life Sciences & Biotech in his report. The Leiden Bio Science Park is the biggest innovation district in these fields. With the wealth of knowledge that is held in Leiden we can continue not only to deliver a major contribution to Life Sciences & Biotech, but also to play a significant part in the country’s further economic growth. This is good news for Leiden, as well as for the region and for the Netherlands!’
Highly innovative
Thomas Hankemeier is professor of Analytical Biosciences and is affiliated with the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR). He provided input for the advisory committee and conducts research using a high-tech robot, the Exposome scan. This makes it possible to trace clinical indications at an early stage. Hankemeijer: ‘In Leiden and in the Netherlands, we are highly innovative in the area of molecular diagnostics, organ-on-a-chip technology, system pharmacology and biology, AI and translational molecular biomarkers.’ (These are substances in the body, such as proteins or genes that help us discover sicknesses earlier, Ed.)
These innovative techniques use living cells to test how medicines or diseases work in the human body. By looking at how a disease behaves at molecular level, scientists can gain a better understanding of how they function and trace them more rapidly. ‘We can make personalised treatments based on precision diagnostics and implement new therapies more quickly. This way we can enable companies to bring promising medicines from concept to the test phase more quickly.’
Red biotechnology
Within Life Sciences & Health a lot of attention is currently being paid to what is known as ‘red biotechnology’. This relates to the functioning and application of living cells: how can you influence these cells to enable medicines to work more effectively or to discover new medicines for certain diseases. Companies like Crucell (now part of J&J), Galapagos and Pharming started on the LBSP. This knowledge sector combines knowledge from the fields of maths, chemistry, physics and biology.
Other companies on the Leiden Bio Science Park with which there is close cooperation include Myriagon, Rapidemic, StemX Bio and Mimetas. Some are promising start-ups while others have been working for longer with the university, LUMC and other relevant partners.
Leiden Bioscience Park ecosystem
The Leiden Bio Science Park (LBSP) is the largest innovation district in the Netherlands in the field of Life Sciences & Health. Leiden University, the LUMC, and national and international biotech companies on the Campus are working every day to promote health and innovation. This clustering of high-level education, research, healthcare and working life attracts students, researchers and entrepreneurs from all parts of the world to Leiden, city of knowledge. The LBSP is the very place where science and entrepreneurship come together to develop pioneering solutions in healthcare, with red technology as the key theme.
Leiden University and the LUMC are committed to making a strong contribution to the Dutch biotech economy, and, since the establishment of the Leiden Bio Science Park, have been the primary supplier of new drug and treatment developments and innovative technologies for start-ups that evolve to become impressive and innovative companies. In recent years, technological developments at the university and the LUMC have played a role in the advancement of numerous companies on the park.