FULL-BOOKED: The maximum number of participants has been reached.

The event is fully booked. It is no longer possible to register. Would you like to stay informed and receive the retrospective? Then sign up for our newsletter below this page or send an email to info@keyregionleiden.nl o.v.v. Business with Defense.

On June 18, VNO-NCW Rijnland, Key Region Leiden and Rabobank are jointly organizing the Defense Summit: Doing Business with Defense – Strong, Smart and Together. Led by chairman of the day Alex de Vries, crisis advisor and former journalist, we will explore the opportunities created by the rapidly changing geopolitical situation and the growth of the defense budget. These developments offer entrepreneurs new opportunities to contribute to security, resilience and economic growth with innovative solutions (dualuse).

Our region has a strong starting position here, where innovative strength meets the growing importance of the defense and security sector. During the meeting we will discuss how entrepreneurs can take advantage of these opportunities and how the cooperation between business, knowledge institutions and government can be further strengthened.

You will gain insight into Defense’s strategic priorities, discover how to apply innovations, and meet relevant network partners from the region.

Program

2:30 p.m.	Walk-in meets the innovation ecosystem
15:00	Opening and welcome by Tino Meijn, chairman VNO-NCW Rijnland Brief explanation about Unmanned Valley by Theo de Vries, director
3:10 p.m.	Hugo Leyte, Head of ODIN (Orchestrating Defense Innovation), MinDef. Christine Foekens, Program Manager National Defense Industry and Innovation Program, MinDef
15.30 uur	Siete Hamminga, CEO Robin Radar
15.50 uur	Rob Postma, CEO Airbus Netherlands
4:10 p.m.	Yorick Cramer, Rabobank industry and defense sector manager
4:30 p.m.	Opportunity for questions
4:40 p.m.	Break
5 p.m.	Break-out sessions
5:45 p.m.	Brief summary of breakout sessions by moderator
6 p.m.	Networking drinks
7 p.m.	End

 

Notes on main program

Guest speakers: Hugo Leyte, Christine Foekens, Siete Hamminga, Rob Postma, Yorick Cramer.

Hugo Leyte, ODIN

Hugo will provide insight into how the Department of Defense is trying to strengthen collaboration with the market, thereby shortening innovation cycles now and in wartime. He himself was in the military for 8 years until an accident forced him to choose a different path. After several successes including setting up PROJAXION, which provides e-commerce solutions, he returned to Defense in 2019. Here he now leads the department that manages a public-private partnership in which at regional and national level Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, ROMs, provinces and industry act together in the dual-use innovation domain.

Christine Foeke

Christine Foekens is program manager of the new National Defense Industry and Innovation Program. She will explain the operation and design of this program. She has worked at the Ministry of Defense for three years at the Policy Directorate of Industry and Innovation. Before that, she worked for the Province of South Holland for 8.5 years as team manager of Knowledge and Innovation Policy.

Siete Hamminga

Siete Hamminga is the CEO and founder of Robin Radar Systems, a technology leader in radars for small, short-range objects such as birds and drones. He received his Master of Science from the University of Twente and completed his studies in Silicon Valley. He then founded several high-tech companies, before corporatizing TNO’s radar technology into the commercial company Robin Radar in 2010.Under his leadership, Robin Radar’s focus shifted from preventing bird collisions at airports such as Schiphol Airport to protecting against drones within defense and security. A winner of several prestigious entrepreneurial awards, he won the Martin Schröder Entrepreneur Award on behalf of the Netherlands Air and Space Fund, Hamminga has grown the company to more than 250 employees and revenues of more than €100 million.Driven by the changing landscape of defense and security, he recently completed the Leadership in National Security (LNV) course. He is the author ofBeyond the Hype, a board member at the NIVD and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of TNO Industry.

Rob Postma

Rob Postma is Managing Director of Airbus Netherlands BV, the largest aerospace company in the Netherlands. He leads the Leiden-based company with about 265 engineers in Leiden, Oegstgeest and Eindhoven. Airbus Netherlands develops solar panels, launch structures and technology for earth observation and optical communications, among other things, and is also active in sustainable aviation, safety, cybersecurity and helicopters.

Yorick Kramer

Due to geopolitical tensions, the urgency to make Europe more resilient is growing. This leads to a strong increase in defense spending, also in the Netherlands. This creates new opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs in industry. More and more companies are directly or indirectly involved in this development. What does this mean for your company? In my role as Sector Manager Industry & Defense at Rabobank, I share my knowledge and network with both clients and colleagues and share responsibility for Rabobank’s policy towards the defense industry. On behalf of Rabobank, I am active within Defport and the Expert Committee Defense of VNO-NCW. I also fulfil the role of chairman of the NVB Defense Working Group. During the session, I will take participants through my vision of the defense industry and discuss recent developments within Rabobank in this area. Topics covered:

• The strategic direction of Defense and what opportunities this presents for your business;
• How you as a company can benefit from growth in the defense sector;
• How Rabobank supports entrepreneurs working with Defense;
• Practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to start or scale up in this sector.

Break-out sessies

PLEASE NOTE: At the end of May, all participants will receive an email in which you can indicate a preference for one of the following breakout sessions.

• Digital Resilience & Cyber. Speakers: Harm Teunis, Cybersecurity Evangelist, ESET and Jamil Sosa, Lead Security Analyst, ESET
  This session will cover some of the public-private collaborations ESET contributes to, why we think these collaborations are so important, and what it has contributed to digital security in the Netherlands and far beyond. We will zoom in on a number of cases.
  

• Products & Services (dual use): Jos Maccabiani, senior business developer Innovation Quarter
  How do you take dual-use innovations from concept to an initial commercial application at Defense? In this session we will discuss which routes are realistic and how to accelerate as a company towards funding, pilots, orders and sales.

• Employees & The Reservist: Erwin Kwakkel and Martijn van Galen, advisors AReS (Reservist and Society)
  How can entrepreneurs contribute to a resilient Netherlands while investing in strong employees? During this session, AReS speakers Erwin Kwakkel and Martijn van Galen will show what role reservists play within Defense and what this means for employers in practice. We discuss the opportunities, arrangements and cooperation between business and Defense, supported by concrete examples from practice. An inspiring session for entrepreneurs and HR professionals who want to contribute to “strong, smart and together.”

Sign up

The event is fully booked! Would you like to stay informed and receive the retrospective? Then sign up for our newsletter below this page or send an email to info@keyregionleiden.nl o.v.v. Business with Defense.

Creating sensor-based impact

On June 18 we will be guests at Unmanned Valley in Valkenburg, municipality of Katwijk (next to the hangar of the musical Soldaat van Oranje). This is the Netherlands’ largest field lab for drones and autonomous tech on former naval airbase Valkenburg. Here, high-tech applications are literally getting off the ground.

• Unmanned Valley, Marinevliegkampweg 356, 2236 ZZ Katwijk aan Zee

 

Are you an innovative entrepreneur? Then this is your chance! The SME subsidy of the province of South Holland for feasibility studies into innovations will soon reopen. This MIT subsidy (MKB Innovatiestimulering Topsectoren) is intended for medium and small companies to investigate whether new ideas and plans (innovations) are technically and economically feasible. This year’s budget is: €2.7 million!

For what purpose?

With this grant you can investigate whether your innovative idea really works, both technically and financially. Think of a new technology, a smart product or a better service that contributes to challenges such as sustainable energy, health or food safety. The Province of South Holland will contribute up to € 20,000 (or up to 35% of your costs).

Who can apply for it?

Are you an SME entrepreneur with a branch in South Holland? If so, you may be eligible. You can make one application per company per year.

When applying, think of innovations that contribute to:
🔋 𝗞𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁 & 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗲: less CO₂, more renewable energy, energy efficiency.
♻️ 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗲: resource conservation, reuse, recycling, life extension.
🌾 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘄, 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 & 𝗩𝗼𝗲𝗱𝘀𝗲𝗹: biodiversity, sustainable cultivation, water management, food security and protein transition.
🏥 𝗚𝗲𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱 & 𝗭𝗼𝗿𝗴: prevention, smart tools, home care, labor savings.
🛡️ 𝗩𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗱: cyber resilience, maritime innovations, aerospace, high-tech operations.
🔧 𝗦𝗹𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗲𝗻: such as AI, photonics, quantum, mechatronics, semiconductors and biotechnology.

In short: innovations that link technology to social issues.

As of April 7

Do you have ideas and could use a helping hand? Then prepare your application now. You can apply from April 7 at 9 a.m. until September 15, 2026. More information can be found on the website of the Province of South Holland. Also read the assessment framework.

Effective February 1, 2026, Els Frankhuijzen started in the combination position of Program Manager / Strategic Advisor Knowledge and Innovation at the Leiden Bio Science Park and Key Region Leiden. This strengthens both organizations’ clout at the intersection of strategy, program development and collaboration within the regional knowledge and innovation system. Her arrival ensures coherence, pace and realization power.

Knowledge-intensive environments

Her natural science background (Environmental Health and Toxicology, Wageningen University), complemented by an education in Business Administration (Haagse Hogeschool), together with extensive experience in various sectors (including Life Sciences, Engineering, Chemical Industry, and Oil & Gas) forms a strong basis for building and directing complex projects and programs. As a natural connector, she established successful partnerships between companies, knowledge institutions and governments, focused on common goals and innovation.

Efficiency, synergy and continuous innovation run as a thread through her career. In thirty years, she moved smoothly between strategy, tactics and execution. In doing so, she frequently worked in and with knowledge-intensive environments including Leiden Bio Science Park itself.

Momentum for growth and development

Els’ start coincides with an important momentum for the Leiden Bio Science Park and Key Region Leiden. Both are explicitly mentioned in Peter Wennink’s advisory report The Route to Future Prosperity (December 2025). The report emphasizes that the Netherlands must strengthen its future earning power in a number of high-tech fields. Life Sciences & Biotechnology is among the four strategic key areas essential for broad prosperity, international competitiveness and geopolitical relevance.

The Key Region Leiden plays an important role in this, with a strong and internationally recognized ecosystem in terms of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Powerful ecosystem

“The recognition of the Leiden Bio Science Park and Key Region Leiden in report Wennink underlines the strength of this ecosystem. In this position I can turn this into concrete impact for the innovation campuses, for education and business,” Els says enthusiastically. “Very nice also that I can now contribute to the region where I have lived for thirty years.”

Business development

“With her experience, connecting ability and strategic outlook, I am very pleased that Els is starting with us. She quickly recognizes opportunities in the Leiden Bio Science Park and translates them into concrete plans and programs in the field of knowledge and innovation. By bringing the ecosystem together in a focused way, she stimulates new collaborations from which companies in the park directly benefit. In addition to business development, it is about seizing opportunities in regional and (inter)national networks, so that funding lands in our region,” says Esther Peters (director Leiden Bio Science Park).

Everyone benefits

“There is a lot of work ahead that requires a concrete approach, precisely at the scale of the region. That is why we are looking forward enormously to working with Els. She helps our innovation region move forward by connecting the knowledge-intensive and local economy. In this way, as a triple helix cooperation, we are building a strong, future-proof region from which everyone benefits,” adds Leonie Hussaarts (director Key Region Leiden).

Want to meet or collaborate? Feel free to connect with Els on LinkedIn.

With the report The route to future prosperity former ASML top executive Peter Wennink sounded the alarm about Dutch earning capacity. According to Wennink, it is “two minutes to midnight”: without large-scale investments and better framework conditions, the Netherlands is at risk of losing its economic and technological lead. The report received wide attention in national media and serves as a reference point in the debate about innovation, investment climate and strategic sectors. Leiden, and in particular the Life Sciences and Biotech sector in our region, receives due attention. Important task for the new cabinet. We list it again.

Biotech Nexus

Both Wennink himself and various opinion makers and industry organizations point to Leiden as a core cluster within the national biotech strategy, including through the Biotech Nexus program. This emphatically puts the Leiden ecosystem in the picture as a potential growth engine for the economy, healthcare and innovation and as a region where national ambitions and local preconditions converge.

Investment and preconditions

Biotech and Life Sciences are crucial to the affordability of healthcare and food security, according to Wennink. The investment potential is €37.9 billion. According to top advisor Wennink, a future cabinet should focus on four lines of investment, including life sciences and biotechnology.

The report lists needed investments of 151 to 187 billion, which must come mainly from the private sector. In addition, the government must provide the right framework conditions within five years. Consider:

• simplified rules and faster permits
• sufficient talent,
• affordable and reliable energy
• strong physical infrastructure.

Biotech Nexus as multiplier

Leiden Bio Science Park took a leading role for the entire red biotech sector in the Netherlands with Biotech Nexus. This sector can become a cornerstone of the Dutch economy if its recommendations are adopted. The project proposes a boost to the entire development chain of medical biotech which could provide a GDP boost of 1.2 percentage points with 20,000 new jobs. This should ultimately ensure faster access to innovations for patients. A lot of investment is needed, but this will also pay off. Indeed, the Leiden Bio Science Park states that, on average, each public euro of investment leads to 2.5 euros of private investment and almost 2 euros of additional economic contribution.

Other proposals of the Biotech Nexus plan include a nationwide system of regional command centers, aiming at better coordination and data sharing in the healthcare sector, bio- and process technology for new ingredients, and a new generation of image-guided therapies.

Young companies

Wennink mentioned Biotech Nexus by name during his presentation. In addition, Annemiek Verkamman, managing director of Hollandbio, mentioned that Biotech Nexus drives the growth of young companies. These include:

• Improving access to growth capital,
• strengthening the utilization of scientific knowledge,
• Support of young companies by experienced entrepreneurs and investors.

Demo plants

Wennink’s opinion also emphasizes the role of biotech in the success of the agri-food and biobased sector. Among other things, he argues for:

• investments in scale-up facilities and so-called First Of A Kind (FOAK) demo plants for new ingredients,
• investment in new breeding techniques,
• investeringen in kunstmatige intelligentie en
• the further development and valorization of knowledge.

Capitalizing on opportunities

To further develop the opportunities for our innovation region, Els Frankhuijzen has started in the combination position of Program Manager / Strategic Advisor Knowledge and Innovation at Leiden Bio Science Park and Key Region Leiden. Keep following us to stay informed about her approach.

Read also: Minister Bruijn accepts Biotech Nexus report.

In Key Region Leiden, we work daily on innovations that prove their value in practice. The region is in full swing and forms a powerful breeding ground for solutions that contribute to the future. With three strong knowledge clusters, the Leiden Bio Science Park (biotech), NL Space Campus (space technology & data) and Unmanned Valley (autonomous technology), Key Region Leiden is among the most innovative regions in the Netherlands.

First edition of Pioneers Capital Day

A great example is the first edition of Pioneers Capital Day, which will take place on April 8 at Unmanned Valley. This new event is organized by Unmanned Valley in cooperation with InnovationQuarter, Rabobank and Hogeschool Rotterdam.

Pioneers Capital Day focuses on the fast-growing market for drones, software and autonomous technology. This sector is on the eve of strong growth in the coming years. To realize Dutch ambitions in safety, agritech and logistics, more investment opportunities and a higher level of investor readiness are essential.

The program

The program (April 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) offers, among other things:

• Inspirational speakers from the world of technology and finance;
• Extensive networking opportunities at Unmanned Valley’s unique test site;
• Dragon’s Den-style pitch sessions, with a financial award for the best pitch;
• Speed dating sessions for direct exposure to various forms of financing.

The event is designed for start-ups and scale-ups, industry incumbents and investors.

Key Region Leiden is proud of initiatives such as Pioneers Capital Day, which further strengthen the innovative power of the region. Find more information on Unmanned Valley’ s channels. Interested? Sign up via eventbite.

Want to know more about everything happening at Unmanned Valley? Visit the website or contact us via email.

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.

Do you see a contribution or application for your company, industry or network? Then contact us using the button below. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to not miss any news.

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!