Leiden Bio Science Park core cluster in Wennink report

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.