Our knowledge region offers plenty of opportunities for SMEs. Thanks to strong knowledge clusters and educational institutions, much expertise is available, and the region is developing rapidly in the field of technology and innovation. These developments offer opportunities to make companies smarter, more sustainable and more competitive. The question is: how can you, as an entrepreneur, make the most of this? Key Region Leiden helps you do just that. We bring you into contact with a relevant network, so that you get access to the knowledge and cooperation that will help your company move forward. This opens new doors and puts you on the map regionally. By strengthening your network in the region, you will be better prepared for the future. Therefore, hook up. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about all developments.

From drawing board to practice

Innovation is not only important for large companies or top SMEs. The presence of innovation also has positive effects on broader SMEs, the nurturing economy. They often act as a schanierpunt, because many SMEs are the link between knowledge and the market. How that works. Large companies and knowledge institutions often develop new technologies, but SMEs provide application, production, service and distribution. In short: without SMEs, innovations often don’t get from the drawing board to practice.

Key Region Leiden is unique because of its various knowledge clusters and cooperation with education and entrepreneurs; innovation is key here! One of our three knowledge clusters is Unmanned Valley (UMV), in addition to the NL Space Campus in Noordwijk and the Leiden Bio Science Park in Leiden, Oegstgeest and, in the near future, Katwijk.

In and outdoor testing

Unmanned Valley (UMV) is located on the former naval airbase Valkenburg in Katwijk. The infrastructure of airstrips and large hangars without pillars is ideal for indoor and outdoor testing of drones and autonomous vehicles. With the knowledge, training and activity present, UMV forms the heart of Dutch drone and aviation innovation. The cluster is a good example of how working together, driving and integrating contributes greatly to society and thus the region.

Sustainable cultivation thanks to drone and satellite data

Practical applications make autonomous tech highly relevant. For example, smart use of drones in growing flowers and crops makes it possible to investigate whether plant diseases are present. Unmanned Valley has set up exactly this project in the region. By taking drone images and analyzing them by AI, it can be determined exactly which crop is affected and needs attention from the grower. This method makes early intervention very precise and effective. Since January 2025, this Remote Sensing for Floraculture project has been running at Landgoed Tespelduyn in Noordwijkerhout in cooperation with the Economic Board Duin- en Bollenstreek, Greenport, NL Space Campus, software companies and growers.

The involvement of the Spacecluster and the NL Space Campus focuses on the collection and analysis of downstream data that will enable even better predictions. This is a great example of a cross-over between both knowledge clusters where AI and/or software development and space and drone technology manage to find each other for a concrete a valuable application.

Drones and beach safety

Another application is carried out by the Katwijk and Noordwijk rescue teams. Together with UMV, they are deploying drones as a coast guard. With the knowledge of Unmanned Valley, the rescue teams are now being trained so that they can start next summer season. The drones are used for monitoring mussels and swimmers where there is also a link to communication via loudspeakers. A great example of Science for life!

Unique test facility for autonomous flights

National security also benefits from a facility for testing autonomous flights over the North Sea. Unmanned Valley has been chosen as the takeoff and landing site for this purpose. This knowledge cluster is now the only location in the Netherlands designated as a test area for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights. These flights will take place on the North Sea in the area between Katwijk and Rotterdam. This test area serves as a pilot for strengthening the safety of the Dutch coast. It will be used for monitoring, military applications, but also in inspecting offshore wind farms. A great example of dual-use.

New applications

Through the driving role of Unmanned Valley, many social applications have already been found for the use of autonomous tech that help with safety, recreation and agriculture. Through collaboration within Key Region Leiden, together with UMV, we can link autonomous tech innovations even better to the life science and space tech sectors. Think of cross-overs applications such as transporting organs faster via drones or analyzing crops in combination with satellite data.

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A few days after the presentation of the Wennink report, Minister Bruijn of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport received the report ‘The Netherlands in the vanguard: red biotech as key to global competitiveness; a growth strategy for economy, society and patient’ at the Leiden Bio Science Park, near Leiden University Medical Center. The minister received the report from Annemiek Verkamman (hollandbio) , Carla Vos (Verenging Innovatieve Geneesmiddelen), and Esther Peters (Leiden Bio Science Park) on behalf of the entire sector.

Red Biotech

The report came about at the request of Peter Wennink, as part of the national investment agenda, and represents the joint input of the Dutch red biotech sector. Leiden Bio Science Park was asked by Wennink to take the lead in developing the plan and did so together with hollandbio, in close cooperation with partners in Leiden as well as with the other Dutch science parks, including Campus Groningen, Health & Innovation District Amsterdam (HID), Utrecht Science Park, Pivot Park, Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus and the Vereniging Innovatieve Geneesmiddelen. The economic analysis and modeling underpinning the report were conducted with the involvement of KPMG. A number of onepagers were created as an appendix.

Joint choices

The Netherlands has strong clusters, high-quality infrastructure and internationally recognized knowledge institutions. Exploiting this potential requires joint choices:

• better access to capital and talent,
• secure and shared access to (bio)data,
• faster and predictable procedures for licensing and clinical research, and
• sufficient space for research, scale-up and production.

Minister Jan Anthonie Bruijn of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport said, “Biotechnology brings us drugs that are truly groundbreaking. The further development of this sector is therefore important for the Netherlands, not to mention the patient. I am actively committed to this and will, among other things, represent our interests in Europe to achieve good legislation through the European BioTech Act. I thank all those involved who have worked to produce this report. I am going to read it with great attention.”

Biotech Nexus

In the report, the industry proposes, among other things, the creation of a national, cross-policy and cross-ministry program: Biotech Nexus. This program should accelerate knowledge valorization, support companies in scaling up, and jointly work on better infrastructure and faster procedures.

“Red biotech makes it possible to recognize diseases earlier and treat patients more precisely and effectively,” said Esther Peters, director of Leiden Bio Science Park. “That means better care and better lives. We as Leiden and as a sector, together with the ministry, want to move now and use what is already possible today to bring innovations to patients faster. By working together as science parks, companies, knowledge institutions and government, we can make a difference. For care, for the patient and for the future prosperity of our country.”

Crossovers

As Key Region Leiden, we are proud to contribute to this national movement dedicated to strengthening the future earning capacity of the Netherlands. The resulting innovation offers our region pre-eminently many opportunities in terms of crossovers between the knowledge clusters Leiden Bio Science Park, NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley. It is also our mission to strengthen this knowledge axis. This is not only good for the knowledge economy, but also for the local economy. It offers many opportunities for broad-based SMEs, service providers and suppliers.

Samen maken we de kenniseconomie waardevol voor iedereen

On December 15, together with the Province of South Holland, the Economic Board South Holland and more than 90 partners, we launched the Acceleration Program South Holland. In doing so, we are working to put the preconditions in place to unleash investment in the province of South Holland. Accelerate, Simplify and Connect is the advice.

Beneficial effects

The Acceleration Program helps to accelerate the expansion of energy infrastructure, organize space for sustainable and innovative business activity, attract and train talent, improve permitting and enable strategic investments. By accelerating together, projects can get off the ground sooner and we strengthen the economy, strategic autonomy and broad prosperity of Zuid-Holland.

Building bridges

Key Region Leiden is driving and building bridges between the knowledge economy and the region’s broad-based SMEs, the engine of our broad-based prosperity. We embrace the acceleration program because we see the importance of making targeted choices so that all the right preconditions are in place for innovation and entrepreneurship in Key Region Leiden. Together we are making South Holland ready for the future!

Joint approach

The Acceleration Program Growth Agenda South Holland is the joint approach of the province of South Holland, the Economic Board South Holland, governments, businesses and knowledge institutions to get the preconditions in place so that investments in our beautiful province will be released again. By working together faster on energy infrastructure, space, talent and strong investment proposals, among other things, we are ensuring that important projects actually get off the ground. In this way, South Holland makes a large and concrete contribution to the national goals for climate, housing, productivity and strategic economic growth.

How do we ensure the health and prosperity of the Netherlands in the coming decades? The answer lies in cooperation, innovation and boldness. Today, the Wennink Plan was published: an independent strategic advice that outlines how the Netherlands can remain economically resilient and socially strong. One of the key points? The crucial role of the red biotechnology sector as an engine for structural growth and better health. Leiden Bio Science Park had an important role in the development of this advice.

Red biotechnology could create 20,000 new jobs and provide a structural boost of 1.2 percentage points to GDP. The master plan proposes the creation of Biotech Nexus, a national program with high economic leverage: each public euro of investment leads on average to 2.5 euros of private investment and almost 2 euros of additional economic activity.

‘The Netherlands has a unique concentration of knowledge, companies and talent,’ says Esther Peters, director of the Leiden Bio Science Park. ‘Red biotechnology is a sector in which we can excel internationally. But then entrepreneurs need access to capital, space and modern procedures. If we organize these preconditions well, the sector can make an enormous contribution to our future economy. This is the time to push forward to prevent us from falling behind in the competition from the US and China.’

Strong advice

The advisory report of Peter Wennink (former top executive ASML), commissioned by the Cabinet, makes it clear that investing in innovation is necessary and that knowledge and vital innovation campuses are crucial in this. Leiden Bio Science Park was closely involved in providing valuable input for the report. In collaboration with partners from science, business and government with special thanks to Hollandbio and the Association for Innovative Medicines. Together they made clear what is needed to further strengthen the Dutch biotechnology sector.

The Wennink Plan emphasizes that a national approach is needed to position the Netherlands as the place where companies invest and where research is successfully transformed into innovations. The national proposal, BioTech Nexus, was explicitly mentioned by Peter Wennink as a strong and concrete example of this ambition.

Crossovers

As Key Region Leiden, we are proud to contribute to this national movement dedicated to strengthening the future earning capacity of the Netherlands. The resulting innovation offers our region pre-eminently many opportunities in terms of crossovers between the knowledge clusters Leiden Bio Science Park, NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley. It is also our mission to strengthen this knowledge axis. This is not only good for the knowledge economy, but also for the local economy. It offers many opportunities for broad-based SMEs, service providers and suppliers.

Samen maken we de kenniseconomie waardevol voor iedereen

‘The Netherlands has a strong Life Sciences & Health ecosystem with a lot of potential, but the home market remains the weak link,’ says Carla Vos, general director of the VIG. ‘The strategic growth plan will only work if innovations developed here are also made available here. Now spending on innovative drugs is low and access for patients often takes too long. If that improves, the Netherlands can maintain its position and even grow substantially.’

Unique opportunity

Why is this so important? Red biotechnology opens doors to treatments that were previously unattainable. It offers the Netherlands a unique opportunity: a sector that develops innovative medicines, therapies and diagnostics, contributes to a healthier society and creates high-quality employment, which in turn creates additional jobs for graduates of universities of applied sciences and intermediate vocational schools, in suppliers and in SMEs.

‘It is good to read that Wennink underlines the importance of Life Sciences & Biotech in his report,’ said Luc Sels, chairman of Leiden University’s Executive Board. ‘The Leiden Bio Science Park is the largest innovation district in the Netherlands in these fields. So with the wealth of knowledge and expertise we house in Leiden, we can not only continue to make a major contribution to Life Sciences & Biotech itself, but also contribute significantly to the further economic growth of the country. Good news for Leiden, for our region and for the Netherlands!

Global impact

The plans do not land in our region by chance. The Leiden Bio Science Park ranks among the top European universities and is the second largest campus in the Netherlands after Brainport Eindhoven. Start-ups, scale-ups, multinationals, education and healthcare come together here: from innovative mbo to a leading university college, university and academic hospital. The park has everything needed to realize groundbreaking solutions. But the Netherlands is too small to do this alone. That is why Leiden Bio Science Park works intensively with strong regional clusters such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Oss, Delft, Groningen and Maastricht. Together they form a powerful economic network that makes an impact worldwide.

‘The advice identifies four crucial economic sectors, including life sciences & biotech. From Leiden, together with Amsterdam and Utrecht, among others, we have worked on a proposition. The Leiden Bio Science Park is among the top European parks and by acting together we can maintain and strengthen that position as the Netherlands,’ said Peter Heijkoop, mayor of Leiden.

Ready for the future

The required course is clear: invest in knowledge, talent and innovation to maintain and strengthen the international position of the Netherlands in life sciences & biotech. We do this not only for economic growth, but especially for people: for better healthcare, sustainable solutions and a society that is ready for the future. And this fits perfectly with Leiden Bio Science Park, the future of health and Key Region Leiden: Science for life!

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗲𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗼𝗺𝘁. Thank you to all the people who provided input to our agenda 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼 during our working workshop.

Key Region Leiden has a solid foundation of (inter)nationally leading knowledge institutions, innovative companies in bioscience, aerospace and autonomous systems (drones) as well as an entrepreneurial community that wants to keep developing.

This existing strength makes our region a place where knowledge, talent and entrepreneurship naturally find and strengthen each other. With the partners from the Key Region Leiden, we are building on this together.

In a well-attended working workshop, we laid the foundation for the agenda of our Key Region Leiden Innovation spearhead. The starting point was one shared ambition: 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗲𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗷𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼.

This requires room to continue developing, on:
✨ Talent development and entrepreneurship
✨ Connection between SMEs and knowledge clusters
✨ Cross-overs between bioscience, autonomous tech and space
✨ Meeting, visibility and a strong network

It is precisely in that connection that new energy is created, ideas blossom and new projects emerge that contribute to a future-oriented region.

The foundation has been laid. Now we continue to build. With joint steps, focus and a network that continues to strengthen each other. Will you join us?

To measure is to know

Therefore, we are also going to investigate the Leiden – Katwijk – Noordwijk knowledge axis. This is a project from the Regional Investment Agenda of the Holland Rhineland Region.

The research project consists of four parts; one overarching study on the Knowledge and Innovation Axis and three sub-studies on the individual clusters Leiden Bio Science Park, NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley.

The studies map the preconditions in areas such as infrastructure, space and energy. Central to this is cooperation within the triple helix: governments, knowledge institutions and companies work together on a single regional approach.

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To meet the challenges of our time, the Holland Rijnland Region and Key Region Leiden are taking an important step together with the research project Strengthening and Connecting Knowledge and Innovation Axis. With this we are building a powerful economic region around the Leiden-Katwijk-Noordwijk axis.

Mapping opportunities

Holland Rijnland Region is in the midst of major social and economic changes. Whether it concerns health, safety, sustainability or technological innovation. The knowledge clusters in our region play a crucial role in this. With the Leiden Bio Science Park, the NL Space Campus and Unmanned Valley, we have three unique, internationally operating ecosystems. Key Region Leiden will now investigate these knowledge clusters and map the opportunities.

Great potential requires greater consistency

Holland Rijnland Region and specifically Key Region Leiden have all the ingredients for a strong knowledge region. The knowledge clusters individually perform well and are among the best in the Netherlands and Europe. But the economic growth figures as a whole lag behind other regions that are catching up. Research by RaboResearch (2022) showed that the region needs more focus and stronger connections between sectors in order to take a step forward. The Holland Rijnland Economy Course Document has now provided that focus. With the start of the research project, we are now really getting down to work.

This project from the Regional Investment Agenda (RIA) of the Holland Rhineland Region focuses, among other things, on the connection between strong sectors. The central question is: How can we strengthen and connect the knowledge-intensive ecosystems around Life Science & Health, Unmanned Systems and Space in such a way that innovation and crossovers are stimulated and that these ecosystems contribute effectively to the development of SMEs, the local economy and regional sectors such as the Greenports?

Four parts, one approach

The research project consists of four parts; one overarching study of the Knowledge and Innovation Axis and three sub-studies of the individual clusters. As mentioned, large parts of the axis already function well, but each cluster has its own challenges. By tackling these tasks together, we strengthen both the clusters themselves and the connection between them.

The studies map the preconditions in areas such as infrastructure, space and energy. Central to this is cooperation within the triple helix: governments, knowledge institutions and companies work together on a single regional approach.

International leading by 2035

By 2035, the Knowledge and Innovation Axis must have grown into a leading international ecosystem. The three clusters will then work together integrally as drivers of innovation, economic earning power, social impact and talent development. This network stimulates technological progress and contributes to broad prosperity for residents in the region.

The Strengthening and Connecting the Knowledge and Innovation Axis program is designed as a long-term project, with a phased approach. Thus, the first phase consists of four studies. We expect the results of the studies in the third quarter of 2026, after which decision-making of the follow-up phase can take place.

Want to know more?

For more information, please contact Region Holland Rijnland, team Economy at ria@hollandrijnland.nl. Or contact us using this form.

• Also check out the Heading the Economy document.
• And the Holland Rhineland Region economy page.
• You can follow our approach soon on this project page.

Het Comité voor Ondernemerschap, inclusief koningin Máxima, was in november te gast bij Unmanned Valley op voormalig marinevliegkamp Valkenburg in Gemeente Katwijk. Voor de presentatie van het Jaarbericht ‘Staat van het mkb 2025 – Doorbraken voor het mkb’. De boodschap uit dit elfde en laatste jaarbericht is: pak de teruglopende arbeidsproductiviteit aan en zorg voor doorbraken die goed zijn voor het mkb.

State of SMEs

Chairman Jacco Vonhof of MKB Nederland accepted the report, stating: “The committee calls for a national plan for the business climate, fewer rules, more space and services for SMEs that are better aligned with practice. We wholeheartedly endorse those conclusions. It is dire necessity, because labor productivity and profitability are under pressure while entrepreneurs want to invest in their people, sustainability, digitalization and innovation.”

The Ministry of Economic Affairs is now continuing the “State of the SME” and says it will embed the SME perspective in the newly established Productivity Council. Figures and insights can be found in Statistics Netherlands’ SME Dashboard.

Working visit

In addition to the presentation of the Annual Report, there was also time for a working visit to Unmanned Valley. Here, entrepreneurs, dozens of startups, educational institutions and governments work together in an innovative ecosystem to develop, test and apply unmanned and autonomous technology, including robots and drones.

Entrepreneurs in action

During the presentation and tour, the Committee met, with admiration as they indicated, a few entrepreneurs:
👍 Rutger van Duijn, Remote Visual Inspection (rvi.tools) (underwater robots).
👍 Richard de Jeu, Transmissivity BV (sensors for water balance soil and vegetation).
👍 Remco Koemans and Frank van der Hulst, Stormcatch Robot Authorization (testing reliability of robotics).
👍 🧑‍💻Tom Rijntjes and Caspar Lusink, Trusk Technology (autonomous drone detection and neutralization).

The Committee was impressed with Unmanned Valley. And would like to see this fieldlab at this location given the space to develop further, in harmony with the housing challenge.

Rush course

Queen Máxima and Jacco Vonhof of MKB-Nederland received a crash course in drone control from simulation trainers Walter Kort and Alexander Meij. The program was thus a nice introduction to the knowledge cluster, its innovations and the enthusiastic entrepreneurs who have their incubators there.

Dutch Review pays attention to Leiden Bio Science Park and the innovative companies operating here in a recent article. The article highlights how Leiden is developing into a major European science hub, with companies recently attracting new investment.

In het artikel komen drie innovatieve bedrijven aan bod:

• LeydenJar: develops 100% silicone battery anodes for smaller, more powerful batteries.
• Meatable: pioneer in cultured meat, with a beautiful pilot facility at the Leiden Bio Science Park.
• Rapidemic: builds ultra-fast molecular tests for infectious diseases, recently supported by a Gates Foundation grant.

In addition, the large investment of Eli Lilly called, which is building a new manufacturing facility near the Bio Science Park.

Complete ecosystem

This attention is no coincidence: the Bio Science Park is the beating heart of this development. It is much more than a cluster of companies and knowledge institutions; it is a complete ecosystem where science, entrepreneurship and talent come together to create solutions that have global impact. This concentration of knowledge and innovation not only strengthens Leiden’s international position, but also attracts parties working on the future of life sciences. For the city and region, this means more than economic growth: it increases the appeal to (international) talent and stimulates cooperation between companies, education, government and other knowledge clusters.

Building on position

Key Region Leiden wants to build on this position. We are therefore starting a program to put our region even more strongly on the map as an innovation region. We will attract a program manager and start a study of the knowledge clusters and their mutual coherence. The goal: to strengthen each other and thus profile the region as the place for innovation and collaboration.

Read the full article on Dutch Review.

Eli Lilly and Company is to build a new €2.6 billion production facility in Katwijk to increase its drug manufacturing capacity in Europe. This new facility, which will be part of the Leiden Bio Science Park, will create 500 manufacturing jobs and 1,500 construction jobs in the Netherlands. Lilly’s production in the Netherlands strengthens the global drug supply chain.

Innovative medicines

The Katwijk facility will use advanced manufacturing technologies to meet the needs of Lilly’s growing portfolio of oral solid drugs in the areas of cardiometabolic health (e.g., diabetes and obesity), neuroscience, oncology and immunology.

“Along with the significant investments already underway in the U.S., our planned expansion in Europe strengthens our ability to deliver medicines to patients worldwide. Local manufacturing allows us to respond quickly to regional demand and accelerate distribution within Europe,” said David A. Ricks, chairman and CEO of Lilly.

“The Leiden Bio Science Park offers access to a skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure and proven pharmaceutical production capacity. We look forward to working closely with the EU, national and local governments to create favorable and predictable policies that leverage innovation and give patients faster access to innovative medicines.”

Jobs at all levels

Lilly expects to create about 500 jobs in the province of South Holland, including positions for highly skilled engineers, scientists, operations personnel and laboratory technicians. They will work with state-of-the-art technologies for the production of innovative medicines. About 1,500 additional jobs will also be generated during the construction phase, which is expected to start later this year. Lilly’s final investment depends on the successful completion of regular licensing procedures and local decision-making.

“I am really proud that Lilly has chosen the Netherlands, Katwijk and the Leiden Bio Science Park out of many opportunities in Europe,” said Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs. “The arrival of Lilly not only means new jobs and investments, but it also gives a boost to cooperation in the field of innovative medicines, allowing us to work together on solutions that really mean something for people’s health and lives.”

Life sciences ecosystem

Lilly already has a strong presence in Europe with four existing manufacturing sites in France, Ireland, Italy and Spain. To meet the growing demand for Lilly drugs, we have shared plans for three additional EU sites since 2020, including new sites in Ireland, Germany and now the Netherlands. In a recent global benchmark of 32 countries, the Netherlands ranked in the top in terms of favorable business climate for life sciences companies. Lilly’s investments in the EU create operational synergies and supply chain flexibility, support the life sciences ecosystem and strengthen relationships with universities and governments.

Close to communities

“At Lilly, we are investing globally in next-generation manufacturing facilities to ensure that our medicines are made and distributed closer to the communities and patients we serve. Expanding our capacity in Europe strengthens our global supply chain and reflects our commitment to getting innovative treatments to patients who need them,” said Edgardo Hernandez, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly Manufacturing Operations. “In addition, as we build each new facility, we find ways to put our environmental goals first – aiming for carbon neutrality in our operations and reducing to zero the waste we send to landfills. For this site, for example, we aim to generate about 15 percent of the energy on site from renewable sources.”

Even during this growth in production, Lilly’s sustainability goals remain unchanged. The company is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and has set global environmental targets for 2030, including energy and water use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste management in all business operations.

Response Gerard Mostert, Municipality of Katwijk

The company will open in the Valkenburg Lake area. And this is good news for our municipality! With this, the company invests 2.6 billion euros! That means more jobs, more housing and economic growth for our entire region!

We are delighted to welcome Eli Lilly to Leiden Bio Science Park, strengthening our position as a leading Life Sciences & Health hub in Europe, working on the future of health!

Their new facility in Katwijk will become part of our growing ecosystem and add significant value to the entire life sciences value chain; From research and development to large-scale production. Red biotech and life sciences & health need this end-to-end strategy. Strengthening this value chain will keep us attractive for new investments, such as the arrival of this new production facility.

The arrival of this Ei Lilly facility therefore confirms this end-to-end structure, making Leiden an even more mature, internationally competitive ecosystem. Recent research by the European Patent Office shows that Leiden University Medical Center is a leader in transferring knowledge from science to the market. Together with the announcement of Eli Lilly, it highlights Leiden’s strong contribution to innovations that reach patients and society.

Response from Alderman Veltman, Leiden municipality

The economy of the future is within reach. In our region we can contribute to the health of the Netherlands, Europe and worldwide. Biotech already contributes 1% to our GDP and that can double. New drugs and therapies also contribute to longer good health.

Lilly’s arrival is good news for Leiden Bio Science Park and Key Region Leiden. Especially at this time, it is a good signal that international cooperation in research is one of the reasons for them to come to the Netherlands and Katwijk.

The arrival of Eli Lilly shows what we need in Key Region Leiden for further growth:

• Strong regional cooperation between governments, businesses, education and science;
• Focused investment in talent, with high-quality teaching and research at all levels;
• Rapid adoption of innovative therapies that are better than existing treatments;
• Joining forces within the Netherlands to form one powerful biotech cluster;
• Easier collaboration within Europe to accelerate cross-border innovation;
• Making investing in Europe more accessible by removing barriers for European investors.