Life Sciences in the Netherlands - LIAA

Industrial Biotechnology Value ChainSource: TNO, 2004PharmaceuticalsAgricultural(by) productsBiochemicalsBiomaterialsBiofuelsFood componentsand dairy etc.Textile and LeatherPulp and PaperEnergy…….CONSUMERSpecialistic and supporting products and servicesTraditionally, the Netherlands has a strong foothold in this value chain, given the presence of manyimportant and international players in the agribusiness, food and chemical industry. Today the primefocus of the Dutch industry lies in the second part of the value chain, namely the fermentative and/orenzymatic production of biochemicals.The most important universities and knowledge institutions in the industrial biotechnology domainare:• Technical University Delft (Centre of Biotechnolgy, Kuyver Centre);• University Groningen (Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnolgy Institute);• Wageningen University (Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences –WCFS, Agrotechnology andFood Innovations –A&F;• University of Leiden (molecular genetics and cell biology);• University of Utrecht;• Radbout University Nijmegen;• NIZO food research in Ede;• TNO;• Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI).4. Dynamic innovation system in the NetherlandsInnovation is regarded as the essential factor in the motor driving sustainable growth, and that is whyinnovation policy has been given significant political and substantive impetus over the last few years.Life Sciences is considered as a key-technology in the road towards a knowledge economy. In theanalysis and policy framework for innovation policy, the emphasis is shifting increasingly towards theinteraction between the players (market, government, intermediairies) in the dynamic innovationsystem and an integral system approach, particular in the field of work of Life Sciences. After all,innovation, and certainly the long-term development processes in Life Sciences, do not occur inisolation, but in mutual interaction between many players and environmental conditions. Theinnovation chain is characterised less and less as a linear development model (from knowledge tomarket) but increasingly that of a cyclic model with feed-back mechanisms from application tofundamental research and the other development phases. These developments result in the creation ofsuccesful concentrations of companies and knowledge institutions such as the BioScience Park inLeiden.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 6

Systematic diagram of the dynamic innovation systemSource: adaptation of technolpolisDemandConsumers (final demand)Producers (intermediate demand)Companies Intermediairies Universities andKnowledge institutionsBankingVenture capitalInfrastuctureInnovation andBusiness support systemStandardsand NormsInnovation is only possible if the necessary environmental conditions are present, such as anefficiently functioning capital market, optimum protection of intelectual property rights, regulations onstandardisation and normalisation, an attractive fiscal climate, propensity to innovation andentrepreneurship, a physical infrastructure that facilitates mobility, public perception and a levelplaying field. The functioning of the dynamic innovation system is determined by the quality of itscomponents and their mutual relations and interaction. This quality is affected by the presence (orlack) of market, system and government imperfections in and between the variuos components of theinnovation system.Regional distributionMapping the location and intensity of Life Sciences activity in the Netherlands, it provides a view onwhere the dedicated Life (highly innovative) Sciences companies, incubators and science parks,genomics centers of excellence and other important Life Sciences industry participants are located. Inthe Netherlands 9 biotechnology clusters can be indentified in the following regions:• Amsterdam region;• Delft/Rotterdam region;• Groningen region;• Leiden/The Hague region;• Lelystad region;• Maastricht region;• Nijmegen region;• Utrecht region;• Wageningen/Ede region.If we look at the current numer of highly innovative Life Sciences companies, the region of Leidentakes the lead with 49 companies, followed by the regions of Utrecht (44), Amsterdam (40),Groningen (25), Arnhem/Nijmegen (22) and Wageningen (21). By splitting the regional distributioninto subsectors, it can be determined in which areas the concentration of the various subsectors lies.There is a high-concentration of agro-food companies in the regios of Wageningen and North East ofNorth-Brabant. The majority of general biotechnology companies are located around Leiden, Utrecht,Groningen and Amsterdam. Human health is concentrated around Utrecht, Leiden and Amsterdam.The development of new companies appears to be closely related to the presence of knowledgeLife Sciences in the Netherlands 7

institutions. Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR) and the University of Groningenhave generated the highest number of Life Sciences spin-offs to date.5. Economic and technological trends in Life Sciences in theNetherlandsEconomic trendsLife Sciences is generally acknowledged as the next step after ICT towards a knowledge-intensiveeconomy, with which new opportunities are created for the economy and society. At this moment theEuropean Life Sciences market is estimated to amount to more than € 100 billion.Expectations for the pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals area of application are very positive. Thefigures show a clear trend: substantial growth. The global market for pharmaceuticals will growcontinuously: more than a doubling in 2010 compared to the market in 2000. The share ofbiotechnology-related products will rise relatively sharply. The ambition of a number of Dutchcompanies is high. The estimates for the impact (use of biological processes) of Life Sciences in thechemical industry for 2010 are between 10 and 20%. In 2010 the estimated share in the turnover of theDutch pharmaceutical industry of biotech nature is 34%. In the chemical industry an estimated shareof 27% of the turnover will be of biotech nature in 2010.Market expectations for agrifood – Life Sciences related food (including genetic modification) varywidely. Market acceptance is the determining factor here. The production volume of the food marketin the OECD countries is expected to remain more or less the same, but the share of products with ahigh added value such as new foods (functional foods) will rise by about 10% a year. In 2010 theestimated share in the turnover of the Dutch agrifood sector of biotech nature is 30%.Biotechnology already forms an important part of the environmental market. The Dutch position inthis international market has always been strong and, in view of the expectations of the companies inthe sector itself, will be able to reinforce itself further. In 2010 the estimated share in the turnover ofthe Dutch environmental market of biotech nature is 18%.There is little market information on the tools and equipment sector in relation to Life Sciences.Interviews with Dutch companies in this sector indicate that these companies may be able to benefitfrom a 10 to 15% growth in turnover.Technological trends and areas of innovationThe trends in Life Sciences affect the above-mentioned sectors in different ways. After a briefexplanation of the generic and cross-technological features of Life Sciences, this chapter will deal withthe economic applications per sector in terms of new products and processes.The most important technological trend in Life Sciences is genomics, in particular transcriptonomics(the functioning of genes), proteomics (the functioning of proteins), metabolomics (metabolism in thecell) and systems biology. Systems biology is the combination of these functional genomicstechniques. New knowledge based on genomics research, combined with advances in areas oftechnology that were already being used in the last century such as high throughput analysistechniques and other biotechnology techniques (cloning, cell and tissue culturing, geneticmodification) will have a far-reaching effect on various economic and social sectors in the comingdecades.In addition, future technological development in Life Sciences is characterised above all by theintegration of developments in biosciences with developments in three other generic technologies:ICT, nanotechnology (microsystems, nanosystems and molecular systems) and materials technology.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 8

The figure below shows how these four generic technologies combine and integrate with each other,thus producing new technological systems and applications.This integration can lead to results in three different areas: scale, processing and function. Smartsystems such as a lab-on-a-chip, for example, are the result of the integration between nanotechnologyand information technology, whereby complex processes can be organised on a nano scale. Smartmaterials are the result, for example, of the integration between biosciences and materials technology,with new materials that possess new, special functions.The integration of information technology in Life Sciences is extremely important. In bio-informationtechnology, methods are being developed to manage and analyse large volumes of genomics dataquickly and efficiently. Combined with the increasing use of user groups and virtual networks ofpatients, doctors, hospitals, and other parties, this produces above all major breakthroughs indiagnostics and research into medicines. Identifying new drug targets, undertaking clinical trials, butalso developing mass-customised medicines will be realised much more efficiently and effectively as aresult.Bionanotechnology uses biological components and principles at nanometre scale. It is being used,among other things, for surface treatment and making scaffolds (frameworks to which tissue structurescan attach themselves), medical implants and biomedical systems at nanometre scale.Bionanotechnology, in combination with the rapidly growing knowledge of the human body, will leadto major breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illnesses and disorders.Materials technology offers many opportunities in combination with the three other generictechnologies. By using biological principles and concepts, smart, ‘intelligent’ materials can bedeveloped with multifunctional properties.Cross technological developments at the interfaces of four technologiesSource: TNO STB, adaptation of a figure from Anton, P et al 2001NanotechnologyNanoscaled machinesRapid prototypingtechnologyInformationTechnologyBioinformaticsBiosensorsIntelligent systems(Lab-on-a-chip)BiotestingBiologicalcomputingCellularfenotypingNutriceuticalsMolecular breedingScaleProcessingLife SciencesPersonal medicinesBiocatalysisFunctionBionicsBiomaterialsXenotransplantationBiomimeticsTissue-engineeringGenetic modificationMaterialsScienceThe combination of knowledge in Life Sciences and other technologies such as ICT will ensure newdevelopment opportunities and innovations in a wide variety of sectors. The four most important areasof application are pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, agrifood, the environment and tools. Belowfollows a discussion about the expected sector-specific developments.Innovations in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical sectorThe detailed mapping of the sequence of the human genome has recently been completed. This willlead to far-reaching developments in the biomedical and biopharmaceutical sciences in the coming twoLife Sciences in the Netherlands 9

decades. Life Sciences knowledge in this sector is also known as ‘red’ biotechnology. Innovations arenumerous and comprise the following areas of application:- Diagnostics;- Medicines;- Gene therapy;- Tissue and organ engineering;- Biomedical materials;- Fine chemicals;- Personal care.Innovations in the agrifood sectorThe developments in functional genomics and systems biology may well have a significant impact onagriculture and the food and luxury goods sector. We already know that various foods such asvegetables contain certain chemicals that have a beneficial effect on health. If gene passports becomeavailable in the future, nutritional advice can be given to suit the person (personalised nutrition), andthere may even be a role for personalised food. This development is in fact already underway with thedevelopment of food for specific groups of patients.Diagnostic systems (biosensors and biotests), partly developed on the basis of functional genomics,will contribute to increasing the safety and quality of foods. Biosensors can be used throughout theentire production process to register contamination, pathogens and signs of decomposition.Another important development is that of crops with a high added value. This involves, for instance,the plant as a means of production for such products as vaccines, new types of proteins, raw materialsfor medicines, biopolymers and bioplastics.Finally, genomics research is used for agronomic plant and animal breeding. The new geneticproperties discovered through functional genomics research can be incorporated in the breedingprocess both with classic methods and with genetic modification techniques.Innovations in the environmental sectorLife Sciences knowledge is used increasingly for developing clean production processes and designingnew products that are more environmentally friendly. Examples of the latter are bioplastics, potatoeswithout amylase and trees with less lignin. Environmental biotechnology also focuses on thedevelopment of new sources of energy to replace fossil fuels. Research is concentrated above all onthe reduction of environmentally harmful raw materials and on shortening the production process byusing bacteria and enzymes. In addition, the raw materials themselves are modified in such a way thatprocessing time and environmental impact is reduced.Innovations in the equipment and tools sectorManual processes in technical and scientific research are becoming more and more automated and arebeing taken over by machines. Proteomics is a hot item in the development of tools; tool producers areentering into all kinds of joint ventures aimed at developing integrated systems. During the last fewyears we have therefore seen a growing and ever more specialised sector producing laboratory toolsand equipment specifically for Life Sciences.An important spin-off from genomics research is the development of analytical methods that can beused in scientific research, the industrial production of medicines, food and during the storage andtransport of biomaterials. An example is the DNA microchip, an important analytical tool in genomicsresearch, for which other applications have been found too such as in food quality control, food safetyand water quality.Another development in this area is biological computing, such as nano-electrical circuits built fromprogrammed DNA molecules. These are long-term developments and it will be some time beforebiological computers will supersede our present computers. Biological computing is based on theaction of DNA and the brain (neural networks).Life Sciences in the Netherlands 10

6. Selection of Players in the Dutch Life Sciences sectorName and contact information‘Dedicated’ Life Sciences companiesAMGEN BV (Breda)www.amgen.nlAvantium (Amsterdam)www.avantium.nlCrucell (Leiden)www.crucell.nlPharming Group N.V (Leiden)www.pharming.comGalapagos NV (Mechelen, Belgium)/Leidenwww.glpg.comKeygene NV (Wageningen)www.keygene.comIsoTis SA (Lausanne Switzerland; Bilthoven)www.isotis.comFornix BioSciences (Lelystad)www.fornix.nlApplikon Biotechnology BV (Schiedam)www.applikon.comGenencor International B.V. (Leiden)www.genencor.comField of activityAmgen is a leading human therapeutics company inthe biotechnology industry. For 25 years, the companyhas tapped the power of scientific discovery andinnovation to dramatically improve people’s lives.Avantium provides innovative, high value-added R&Dservices and tools to the pharmaceutical and chemicalindustries.It is Crucell’s goal to improve healthcare throughoutthe world by fighting infectious diseases. Crucell doesthis by discovering, researching and developingtechnologies, vaccines and antibodies, using its ownfully integrated infrastructure for in-housedevelopment, production and marketing and, whereuseful or necessary, by forging partnerships with othercompanies and organizations.Pharming strives to develop outstanding therapies fora range of medical needs based on our unique scienceand technology. Pharming specializes in theproduction of human proteins with healthcarepotential, highly pure and in large quantities.Healthcare applications vary from treatment of geneticdisorders, to repair of tissue damage during surgeryand beyond.Galapagos is a genomics based drug discoverycompany, that has drug discovery programs based onproprietary disease modifying drug targets. Theirvision is to bring novel drugs to the market in selecteddiseases areas for which there is a need for effectiveand safe medicines.Keygene is a private cooperation that provides geneticand genomic research. Keygene works for leadingvegetable and animal breeders, universities, hospitalsand the fermentation and food industry. Keygene is aservice provider in the genetic analysis of plants,animals and micro-organisms.IsoTis OrthoBiologics has a product portfolio withseveral innovative and proprietary natural andsynthetic bone graft substitutes on the market andothers in development, an established North Americanindependent distribution network, and an expandinginternational presence.Fornix BioSciences is a profitable Biotechnologycompany involved in the development, manufacturingand marketing of Biopharmaceuticals and relatedproducts. Fornix BioSciences was established inOctober 1999 as a result 'reversed takeover' of DrFisher Farma B.V. by Artu Biologicals N.V.Applikon Biotechnology is a privately owned Dutchcompany whose purpose is to develop, manufactureand supply on-line process analyzers and bioreactorsystems for both research and production use.A different kind of biotechnology company, Genencortraces its roots to 1982 when a joint venture wasestablished between Genentech and Corning to exploitthe industrial applications of protein engineering.Genencor delivers over 250 diverse products tocustomers around the world. To serve those markets,we operate eight manufacturing centers in UnitedStates, Argentina, Belgium, China, and Finland. OurLife Sciences in the Netherlands 11

Nutreco (Boxmeer)www.nutreco.comNedalco (Bergen op Zoom)www.nedalco.nlRodenburg Biopolymers (Oosterhout)www.biopolymers.nlSolvay Pharmaceuticals B.V.www.solvay.comGovernmentMinistry of Economic AffairsDirectorate-General for InnovationMarket and InnovationCluster Life SciencesPO Box 201012500 EC The HagueThe Haguewww.lifesciences.ez.nlMinistry of Health, Welfare and SportPostbox 203502500 EJ Den Haag+31 (0)70) 340 79 11www.minvws.nlNetherlands Ministry of Housing, SpatialPlanning and the EnvironmentPO Box 209512500 EZ The HagueThe NetherlandsTelephone: +31 (0)70 339 39 39www.vrom.nllactic acid/lactates and gluconic acid/gluconates. CSMBiochemicals is a division of CSM and operates in themarketplace under the name PURAC. The principalproduct groups are lactic acid and lactic acidderivatives, gluconic acid and gluconic acidderivatives, lactic acid-based biomaterials and lactitol.Nutreco is a global food and animal nutrition companyinspired by consumer demands, creating value throughsustainable modern aquaculture and agriculture.Royal Nedalco, a subsidiary company of the Dutchsugar producer Cosun, is a leading producer of ethanol(ethyl alcohol) of agricultural origin inEurope.Together with our production location in Sasvan Gent, our sales unit Belgalco our joint venturewith Brüggemann Alcohol in Germany we havereached a strong position in the European alcoholmarket.Rodenburg Biopolymers is a member of theRodenburg Group which offers a uniqueinfrastructure. Rodenburg Biopolymers upgrade byproductsof the food-processing industries towardsbioplastics using state of the art technologies andenvironmentally friendly processes.Solvay is an international chemical andpharmaceutical Group. It employs more than 30 000people in 50 countries.Improved treatment of disease, food that is safer andhealthier and a cleaner environment are just a few ofthe applications for Life Sciences. Put simply, LifeSciences consists of a collection of techniques inwhich living organisms, or parts thereof, are used tomake improved products or new processes.LifeSciences is an important supplier of innovativeproducts and innovation is the engine that drives thesustainable growth of the Dutch economy. EconomicAffairs has decided to work together with otherministries in order to promote Life Sciences. But thiscan only be achieved if we are able to put in placecertain guarantees with regard to safety, transparencywithin the decision-making process, ethicalacceptability and the freedom of choice for all of ourfellow citizens.Medical biotechnology is set to play an increasinglyimportant role in preventing, diagnosing and treatingdisease. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport ishighly enthusiastic about medical biotechnology andits applications, and supports research in the field ofLife Sciences. To develop policy on the issue, theMinistry set up the Dutch Forum for Biotechnologyand Genetics, together with other Dutch ministries,scientists and practitioners.The Netherlands is a densely populated country whereissues concerning space have to be consideredcarefully. The aim of VROM is to make living,working, recreation and moving inside the Netherlandspleasant. The Ministry wants to stimulate inhabitantsand companies in the Netherlands to approach issueson nature, environment and raw materials in aresponsible way. VROM establishes conditions for theabove in agreement with citizens, interest groups andsocial organisations. It creates regulations anddistributes subsidies for improving the country's livingenvironment.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 13

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and FoodQuality (LNV)Bezuidenhoutseweg 732594 AC Den HaagPostbus 204012500 EK Den HaagT (070)3786868www.minlnv.nlOCW (Dutch Ministry of Education, Cultureand Science)Ministry of OCWPO Box 163752500 BJ Den HaagT: 003170 412 34 56www.minocw.nlScience Park AmsterdamKruislaan 404;1098 SM AmsterdamP.O. Box 946041090 GP AmsterdamPhone: +31 20 525 7990Fax: +31 20 525 7675www.scienceparkamsterdam.nlLeiden Bio Science Parkwww.lifemeetsscience.nlUniversities and Knowledge InstitutionsRUL (University of Leiden)www.leidenuniv.nlSee also: www.bodl.bt.tudelft.nlThe Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality(LNV) considers this to be of prime importance andtherefore ensures that the necessary biotechnologyfacilities are available in the Netherlands. There aretwo reasons why LNV places such importance onbiotechnology. The first is that the agriculture andfood industries are vital to the Dutch economy. Thesecond is that the government believes thatbiotechnology can make a huge contribution to solvinga number of intractable societal and social problems,such as environmental problems and food shortages indeveloping countries. The advent of geneticallymodified crops (gm crops) is a hot topic in theNetherlands and the rest of Europe. The question iswhether conventional and organic agriculture can coexistwith the cultivation of genetically modifiedorganisms (GMOs). Through mixing and crossfertilisation,the cultivation of gm crops can lead to thecontamination of non-gm products with gmsubstances. Currently no gm crops are growncommercially in the Netherlands and there are only alimited number of small-scale field trials.The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science makespolicies, drafts legislation and appropriates publicfunds on behalf of Dutch citizens. It serves 3.5 millionpupils, students and their parents, as well as artists,curators and teachers. And it serves everyone else inthe Netherlands affected by the activities in its remit.Science Park Amsterdam is a significant terrain nearthe centre of Amsterdam. It will be developed intoEurope’s largest high-tech location over the next tenyears. At this moment the science park houses theFaculty of Science of the Universiteit van Amsterdam,several large Dutch national research institutes andabout 80 high-tech companies. Science ParkAmsterdam is historically known as a centre ofexcellence for computer-science and life-sciences. Ithouses the world’s largest internet hub (AMS-IX), thebest network and is home to many research institutesand companies which are pushing the frontiers of gridtechnology,artificial intelligence and supercomputing.The large life-science community in thepark, with its focus on medical biology, genomics andproteomics is uniquely positioned, particularly asmany opportunities exist to exploit synergies with thescience park’s computing community.Leiden is a centre of innovative life sciences research,and is the front runner in biomedical life sciencesactivities at national level. The aim of the partnersinvolved in the collaboration is to promote thecontinued development of Leiden as the centre forinnovative biomedical life sciences where the wealthof knowledge acquired can be used to benefit thewellbeing and prosperity of society.The University consists of nine faculties, a School ofManagement and a School of Education. TheUniversity houses faculties of Archaeology, Arts,Creativeand Performing Arts, Law, LUMC (Leiden UniversityMedical Center), Mathematics and Natural Sciences,Philosophy, Social and Behavioural Sciences, andTheology. Biotechnology Studies Delft Leiden is ajoint initiative of Delft University of Technology andLife Sciences in the Netherlands 14

DPI (Dutch Polymer Institute)P.O. Box 9025600 AX EindhovenT +31 40 247 56 29www.polymers.nlRIVM (National Institute for Public Health andthe Environment)PO Box 13720 BA BilthovenThe NetherlandsTel: +31 (0)30-2749111www.rivm.nlNWO, Division for the Chemical SciencesDr Yvonne van der MeerTel. +31 (0)70 3440758www.nwo.nlGenomics Centres of ExcellenceKluyver Centre for Genomics of IndustrialFermentationManagement OfficeJulianalaan 672628 BC DelftThe NetherlandsTel: +31 (0)15 278 6990Fax: +31 (0)15 278 2355info@kluyvercentre.nlwww.kluyvercentre.nlCentre for Medical Systems Biology (CMSB)Leidenwww.csmb.nlThe Centre for BioSystems Genomics (CBSG)Wageningenwww.biosystemsgenomics.nlThe Cancer Genomics Centre (Amsterdam)www.cancergenomics.nlmarket innovations. The development and applicationof innovative knowledge: that’s what we’re all about.DPI is a foundation funded by industry, universitiesand government set up to perform exploratory researchin the area of polymer materials. DPI operates at theinterface of universities and industry, linking thescientific skills of university research groups toindustrial need for innovation. DPI performs precompetitiveresearch projects to add value to thescientific community through scientific publicationsand to the industrial community through the creationof intellectual property. DPI provides an uniqueplatform for new technology awareness in whichparticipating industrial companies, commerciallycompetitors in the market place, communicate on apre-competitive basis to trigger innovation.RIVM’s activities focus mainly on carrying outresearch tasks commissioned by the Dutchgovernment, with statutory responsibilities in publichealth, nutrition and the environment. We alsocooperate with such international bodies as theEuropean Union and United Nations organisations,including WHO, FAO and UNEP. Reports on theseactivities can be accessed from Internet, either fromthis website or via links to other websites.Sixteen research organisations from twelve Europeancountries have joined forces inthe area of industrialbiotechnology. The network will be coordinated fromtheNWO (Netherlands Organisation for ScientificResearch) office in The Hague.The Kluyver Centre for Genomics of IndustrialFermentation is a consortium of Delft University ofTechnology, Wageningen University and ResearchCentre, Leiden University, Nijmegen University,Utrecht University, TNO, Wageningen Centre forFood Sciences, Agrotechnology and Food Innovationsand NIZO food research. It employs microbialgenomics to improve microorganisms for use inindustrial fermentation processes. Fermentation isused in the production, from renewable feedstocks, offood products and ingredients, beverages,pharmaceutical compounds, nutraceuticals, and fineand bulk chemicals. The research covers sixprogrammes: yeast fermentation, fungal fermentation,lactic acid fermentation, biocatalysis, genomics toolsincluding bioinformatics and society and genomics.The Centre for Medical Systems Biology (CMSB) is ajoint activity of Leiden University Medical Center,Leiden University, Free University Medical Centerand Free University Amsterdam, Erasmus MCRotterdam and TNO Leiden, aiming to applyinnovative multidisciplinary genomics andbioinformatics approaches to improve diagnosis,therapy and prevention of common and rare diseases.The Centre for BioSystems Genomics (CBSG) isbeing established as a Centre of Excellence under theauspices of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative. Thenetwork of scientists now spans four universities, tworesearch institutes and fifteen industrial parties in theNetherlands.The mission of the Cancer Genomics Centre is toimprove diagnosis, therapy and cure rates for cancerpatients. Genomics offers new promising opportunitiesfor cancer research, with realistic expectations forLife Sciences in the Netherlands 16

Centre for Society and Genomics (Nijmegen)www.society-genomics.nlNetherlands Toxicogenomics Centre(Maastricht)www.toxicogenomics-centre.nlNetherlands Bioinformatics Centre (Nijmegen)www.nbic.nlThe Netherlands Proteomics Centre (NPC)(Utrecht)www.netherlandsproteomicscentre.nlBioPartner CentersBPC Amsterdamwww.asp.nlBPC GroningenSee: www.technopartner.nlBPC leidenwww.biopartnerleiden.nlBPC Maastrichtwww.bpcm.nlBPC UtrechtE-mail: g.vanstrien@holdings.uu.nlBPC Wageningenwww.biopartnerwageningen.nltherapy improvement in the coming decade. Forinstance, the genomics signature of the cancer and thatof the patient may serve in the near future as a basis onwhich to choose the most effective therapy for theindividual patient (‘personalized medicine’) toimprove cancer patients chances of recovery and theirquality of life.CSG’s mission is to be a leading centre forunderstanding and stimulating the interaction betweensociety and genomics, both nationally andinternationally.It is the mission of the Netherlands ToxicogenomicsCentre that the toxicogenomics approach should beused to take the unique opportunity of developinghighly predictive screens based on gene expression orprotein/metabolite fingerprints, to be used for in depthevaluation of chemical safety for human health,thereby replacing/reducing/refining animalexperiments, and improving the scientific basis ofchemical risk assessment.Foundation NBIC initiates and coordinates research,education and support activities to stimulate thedevelopment of the field of bioinformatics.Bioinformatics is a new discipline that combinesinformatics and mathematics with the life sciences. Itis closely related to genomics, which analyses genomeinformation. The genome governs the functioning andbiological processes of the organism. These studiesgenerate enormous amounts of data and information,and huge computer capacities are needed for furtherprocessing and analysis. Bioinformatics provides theknowledge, applications and analytical tools to handlegenomics data, and is crucial to achieve results in thelife sciences.The Netherlands Proteomics Centre (NPC) is astrategic collaboration of research groups from sixuniversities, three academic medical centres andseveral biotech companies.Initiated by the Municipality of Amsterdam, the Dutchorganization for Scientific Research (NWO), theRabobank and the University of Amsterdam (UvA),ASP was founded in 1989 to promote transfer ofknowledge from educational institutions to small andmedium-sized businesses.In April 2001 BioPartner Center Leiden was the firstBioPartner Center in The Netherlands to locate biotechstart-ups. It resides in the BioScience Park in Leiden.BioPartner Center Maastricht offers businessaccommodation to life sciences start-ups. Its mainmission is to increase the chance of success for LifeSciences start-ups. Through its three tissue incubatorsand GMP cell therapy clean rooms, the Center offers acomplete range of facilities from laboratory scale toGMP production for Life Sciences companies active inthe fields of cell therapy and cell culturing.The business incubator BioPartner Center Wageningenoffers a unique environment for life sciences start-ups,a place where facilities and knowledge can be shared.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 17

Food Valley (Wageningen)www.foodvalley.nlBioMedCity (Groningen)www.biomedcity.nlBiomedbooster (Maastricht)www.biomedbooster.comCompetence Centre Life Sciences (CCLS)www.ccls.nlIntermediairiesNiabaRob T.A. Janssen (Managing Director)P.O. Box 4432260 AK LeidschendamThe NetherlandsTel.: (+31) 70 337 87 64Fax: (+31) 70 337 87 65E-mail: niaba@niaba.vnci.nlwww.niaba.nlNBVNetherlands Biotechnological Societyp/a Dr. J.W. ChapmanUnilever Research & DevelopmentPostbox 1143130 AC VLAARDINGENT.+-31-10-4605247www.nbvsite.nlEFB Central Office (ECO)Christian Suojanen, Secretary GeneralThis accommodation package is also available to nonlifesciences start-up companies.The Dutch ambition to create excellence in food isreflected in the name Food Valley. It is the science andinnovation region of The Netherlands for agrofood,life sciences and health. Nationally, the annualturnover in agrofood exceeds 40 billion euro. Hollandis proud to have a great history in food and agriculture- not only in R&D and production but also inmarketing, trade and logistics.Groningen presents itself as BioMed City, and forgood reason. The presence of several prominentbusinesses, the excellent research institutes,opportunities for knowledge transfer, and theavailability of business incubators ensure thatGroningen can offer a highly advantageous businessclimate for companies in this sector.BioMedbooster is a valorization company. The goalof Biomedbooster is to identify new ideas andtechnologies, analyse their market potential and assistwith further commercial exploitation. For this,BioMedbooster has been granted the unique rights ofthe University of Maastricht (uM) and the AcademicHospital Maastricht (azM) to facilitate theexploitation of all new inventions in life sciences.CCLS is the Life Sciences network for the regionSouth-Holland. With more than 90 Life Sciencescompanies, incubator facilities, research institutes,world leading Universities and Medical CentresSouth-Holland is the most dense area of Life Sciencesactivities in the Netherlands. CCLS guides you toexcellent business and research opportunities presentin the Life Sciences Cluster of South-Holland.Niaba is the Netherlands' Biotech IndustryAssociation. With more than 60 members it representsthe majority of the Dutch biotechnological companiesand related organisations in human and animalhealthcare, food, feed, agriculture and environment.Among its members are not only large multinationalscompanies such as Unilever and Akzo Nobel, but alsosmall biotechnological companies, major researchinstitutes and associations in related sectors. Niaba isactive in the fields of lobbying and advisinggovernments, but also on issues such as research anddevelopment. Furthermore Niaba focuses oncommunication with the general public onbiotechnology.Niaba also works on improving other aspects of thebusiness climate. One issue is the fact that Dutchuniversities do not patent their inventions as often asrequired. At the same time scientists still face toomany problems when they want to start their owncompany.The aim of the NBV is to promote the development ofbiotechnology in its broadest sense.The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) wasestablished by European scientists in 1978. Theobjective of EFB is to promote safe and ethicallyLife Sciences in the Netherlands 18

Anna Alsina, Communications CoordinatorAlexandra Castells, Office CoordinatorPg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona - SpainTel +34 93 268 77 03Fax +34 93 268 45 00E-mail: efb@efb-central.org, register@efb-central.orgwww.efb-central.orgSBNNetherlands Biotechnology FoundationDr. J. SikkemaFriesland Coberco Dairy Foods, Corporate ResearchPostbus 87, 7400 AB DeventerFax: 0570-695986E-mail: j.sikkema@fcdf.nlB-BasicJulianalaan 672628 BC DelftThe NetherlandsT: +31 15 278 2342F: +31 15 278 2355E: info@b-basic.nlwww.b-basic.nlACTS (Advanced Chemical Technologies forSustainability)www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOA_6P69LYTechnopartnerwww.technopartner.nlHolland Biotechnologywww.hollandbiotechnology.nlABONwww.bio-ned.nlErnst & Young Health SciencesP.O. Box 78831008 AB AmsterdamThe NetherlandsTel. +31 (0)20 5497245www.ey.nlacceptable biotechnology for the better use of Nature'sresources. EFB also wishes to expand collaborationsbetween academic and industrial researchersthroughout Europe to increase competencies,strengthen education, promote innovation and increasethe benefits of biotechnological research to society atlarge.Netherlands Biotechnology Foundation was foundedin 1986 with the aim to stimulate biotechnology intheNetherlands, with special focus on supporting youngresearchers, biotechnological events and facilitatingthe participation of Dutch biotechnologists ininternational activities.B-Basic is a consortium of universities, researchinstitutions and industry. The programme focuses onthe development of new bio-based productionconcepts for the chemical (and energy) industry whichare rooted in the current explosive increase infundamental insights in molecular biology through thegenomics revolution, combined with advancedbioprocess technology and existing chemicalknowledge. Research in the B-Basic optimally benefitsfrom the latest breakthroughs in genomics research byusing the new insights to develop processes that canconvert biomass into chemicals using biocatalysts asmicroorganisms and enzymes.B-Basic is an independent NOW-ACTS programme.The scientific and business director are provided bythe Delft University of Technology.ACTS is the Dutch platform for pre-competitiveresearch in chemistry and chemical technology inwhich catalysis plays a pivotal role. In ACTSgovernment, industry, university and knowledgeinstitutes cooperate in public-private partnerships. It isthe mission of ACTS to initiate and support thedevelopment of new technological concepts for thesustainable production of materials and energycarriers, essential for the supply of food, comfort,health, shelter and mobility to the inhabitants oftomorrow's world. Through its activities ACTS willcontribute to the sustainable economic growth and tothe knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands, andattract young talent to a career in science andtechnology.TechnoPartner concentrates on helping technostartersin Holland.Portal site for Biotechnology in the Netherlands.ASSOCIATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTRESIN THE NETHERLANDS.University medical centres and other academic bodiesare a source of many biotechnology start-ups. Theirdevelopment of new drugs and equipment has had asignificant influence on business processes in thehealth sector. At the same time, the industry is rapidlyinternationalizing and rolling back national and marketboundaries.To be of even greater service to the organizationsoperating in this dynamic world, Ernst & Youngrecently combined its many years’ know-how andexperience in this area to create a Health SciencesSector Group.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 19

7. References1. Beyond Borders; Global Biotechnology Report 2006; Ernst & Young.2. Life Sciences Monitor; Ministry of Economic Affairs, december 2005.3. Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Astrategy for Europe; EuropeanCommission, 2002.4. Industrial (White) Biotechnology; Position Document on industrialbiotechnology in Europe and the Netherlands; DSM.5. Climbing the helical staircase; A survey of biotechnology; The Economist,march 29 th 2003.6. Holland Biotechnology, Science Based Business and Valorisation; 8 th Edition2005.7. Life Sciences, A pillar of the Dutch knowledge economy; Ministry of EconomicAffairs, November 2003.8. The Netherlands Life Sciences Sector Report 2005; BioPartner Network.9. Life Sciences in the Netherlands: Economic Relevance, Technological Trendsand Scenarios for the Future; TNO Strategy, Technology and Policy; july2002.10. Industrial Biotechnology in The Netherlands: Economic relevance and trendsfor the future; TNO, October 2004.11. Action Plan Life Sciences; Minstry of Economic Affairs; March 2004.Life Sciences in the Netherlands 20