Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of hosting Leiden's new Mayor, Peter Heijkoop at Leiden Bio Science Park. The visit was an outstanding opportunity to showcase our work and discuss how to strengthen the business and investment climate for our organizations. From morning coffee to lively discussions, here's how the day unfolded.
We began with a warm welcome at Kadans Science Partner’s Plus Ultra where Leiden Bio Science Park's director, Esther Peters introduced the Leiden Bio Science Park ecosystem and its significant role in shaping the future of health.This was followed by a tour of the building, which included a visit to Leyden Labs
There, CEO Koenraad Wiedhaup shared insights into their health technology focused on developing accessible antiviral solutions designed to prevent respiratory infections, aiming to empower people globally with proactive health measures.A short bike ride brought us to the Science of Faculty at Leiden University where prof. Thomas Hankemeier and vice-dean Bart de Smit led a tour of the (new) building and of the ExposomeScan research facility. This facility pioneers research on how environmental exposures affect health outcomes, providing essential insights into the environmental factors that influence disease risk. We continued through NeCEN and the Gorlaeus labs, which feature advanced imaging facilities that support a wide range of research projects.At BioPartner Leiden, Rebekah Bikker and Thijs De Kleer introduced us to the lively startup community, where we heard pitches from three companies:
- Willemijn Vader from VitroScan which specializes in cell-based drug screening. Their platform helps researchers test how drugs interact with human cells, providing critical data that inform drug development and efficacy.
- Ester Weijers from NTrans Technologies BV focusing on DNA-based therapeutics. NTrans is developing innovative delivery systems that facilitate the targeted insertion of genetic material into cells. These systems have the potential to treat genetic disorders and other complex diseases.
- Rob Heetebrij from ZoBio combining biophysics and molecular insights to identify new compounds, focusing on developing precise therapeutic solutions for hard-to-treat diseases.
Our day concluded at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the LiveScience hall with "Stier Herman." Under the bull's watchful eye, exhibited right above us, Nick Veringmeier presented a five-minute overview of biomedical sciences—a fitting end to an inspiring day.
The Mayor departed with a good sense of the park's vision and potential. Our shared enthusiasm for supporting the research, businesses, and investment opportunities that are shaping the future of Leiden Bio Science Park has sparked a dialogue on potential collaborations.
A big thank you to Rijk van Walsem from Gemeente Leiden, who helped make this visit a success!
