Targeted investments in red biotechnology will lead to a structural GDP boost of 1.2 percentage points, 20,000 additional high-quality jobs, and faster access to innovations for patients. This is evident from an economic analysis by KPMG. This allows red biotechnology – innovative medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and advanced therapies – to become a cornerstone of the Netherlands as a whole. The analysis was prepared in the context of Peter Wennink's national investment agenda presented today.
KPMG demonstrates that targeted investments in Biotech Nexus – the national program proposed by the biotech sector – have significant economic leverage: every euro invested in public funds leads to an average of €2.50 in private investment and almost €2 in additional economic activity. Biotech Nexus coordinates and allocates public funds based on transparent criteria. It aims to unite regional strengths, accelerate knowledge valorization, and support companies in scaling up. This also enables the Dutch biotech ecosystem to take on an international leadership role.
"This initiative will serve as our national engine for red biotechnology," says Annemiek Verkamman, director of Hollandbio. "It will stimulate the growth and continued development of young companies by improving access to growth capital, strengthening the professional application of scientific knowledge, and supporting young companies with experienced entrepreneurs and investors." Furthermore, in its own growth strategy – compiled in a report – the sector proposes three illustrative national projects that contribute to business growth, attracting capital, and the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and solutions for the treatment of infectious diseases.
"Targeted investments in red biotech not only offer opportunities for the pharmaceutical sector but also strengthen the manufacturing industry, sustainability, and our social agenda."
Peter Ketelaar Chairman LIFE Cooperative
The Netherlands boasts strong clusters, high-quality infrastructure, and internationally recognized knowledge institutions. To fully utilize the biosector's growth potential, strengthened preconditions are needed. These include access to capital and talent, shared and secure access to (bio)data, predictable and efficient permitting procedures, clinical research, rapid market access for innovations, and sufficient physical space for research, scaling, and production.
Peter Ketelaar, voorzitter LIFE Cooperative
Peter Ketelaar (Board, LIFE Cooperative):
“Targeted investments in red biotech not only create opportunities for the pharmaceutical sector, but also strengthen manufacturing, sustainability, and our broader societal agenda. It’s about strategic autonomy: the Netherlands must be able to produce essential medicines itself.”
Wiro Niessen (Executive Board, UMCG):
“The strength of the Netherlands lies in the collaboration between its regional hotspots, strong biobanks such as Lifelines, the expertise of university medical centers, and facilities like the Dutch AI Factory in Groningen. By linking reliable data and expertise to the innovative power of companies in our biotech sector, we create an innovation ecosystem that will significantly boost economic activity and exports — enabling biotech to become one of the cornerstones of the Dutch economy.”
Edward van der Meer (Director, Campus Groningen, and Chair, NCO – National Campus Council):
“For the campuses of national importance, this masterplan brings concrete new opportunities for research, education, and collaboration with industry. Students and researchers can contribute to groundbreaking innovations while gaining experience in an ecosystem focused on sustainable and strategically important biotechnology.”
Wiro Niessen, Raad van Bestuur UMCG
Who is developing the most impactful innovation in Life Sciences & Health in the Northern Netherlands? Five companies are in the running for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2026: Flux Robotics, Limosa Immunodiagnostics, SPCTR, MimeCure and GlycanScan International. The nominees will present their innovations on Tuesday 22 September during the fifth edition of the LIFE Science Conference in Groningen. An independent jury will select the winner, who will receive a €10,000 cash prize.
A much-loved tradition The Campus Trail has become a much-loved tradition on campus. Students, employees and professionals from companies and organisations across the campus ecosystem lace up their running shoes for a sporty 6.4-kilometre route through buildings and past some of the campus’s unique labs. The rapid growth in registrations shows just how much the Campus Trail has become part of the campus community. The combination of sport, meeting others and the unique campus setting makes the run a great opportunity to connect with people outside the usual work and study environment. And there’s no need to head home as soon as you cross the finish line. During the after-party, hosted by Contini Catering, participants can relax together, enjoy a drink and celebrate the afternoon. There’s still time to join: those who want to take part can register online until 3 September, or sign up on the day itself using the PIN Campus Trail 2026 | Campus Groningen.
ZonMw is expected to open the final call for proposals within the PharmaNL Shared Development Infrastructure (SDI) program line. This program line focuses on strengthening the infrastructure for the development, upscaling, and production of innovative medicines in the Netherlands.
