The goal behind the establishment of the Open Diagnostics Ecosystem (ODE) was crystal clear in the spring of 2020: to bolster and market the position of North Netherlands as a global player in the field of (medical) diagnostics. As the project draws to a close in December 2023, the initiators reflect upon an exceedingly successful journey. Ton Vries, Chairman of the LIFE Cooperative and initiator of ODE, states, "In a relatively short period, we've successfully shepherded nine projects from eight different companies within ODE. The results of these companies speak volumes: the network infrastructure and substantive financial support have led to tremendous achievements in diagnostics. We take exceptional pride in this."
The Northern region has proven itself within the project as an exceptionally suitable hub for developing innovative diagnostic products. One of ODE's aims was to entice a leading diagnostic player like Roche to establish itself in the region. While this hasn't occurred yet, alliances were forged at various international leading expos such as BIO in Boston and Leipzig, attracting a significant number of startups from the UK to Groningen to foster collaboration and learning.
The eight startups that successfully underwent a learning journey within ODE include Reyedar, Protyon, Neolook, Sabiad, SG Papertronics, Detact Diagnostics, Tagworks Pharmaceuticals, and CC Diagnostics. From bacterial imaging enabling early infection detection at Sabiad to utilizing AI to detect anomalies in premature babies by Neolook, these companies have leveraged the Open Diagnostics ecosystem to boost their innovations. The startups recognize the potency of the ODE network, its accessible approach, and funding as pivotal ingredients for their success. View all projects in the Open Diagnostics Video here.
The learning projects conclude their journeys at ODE in December, marking the successful closure of this initiative. Peter Ketelaar, Director of ODE, emphasizes that the experiences from ODE hint at more opportunities: "From the outset, it was clear this was a journey with a defined beginning and end. However, the positive experiences of participating companies and the successful innovations hint at more. We're proud of the international impact achieved. Therefore, we're currently exploring the prospects of a follow-up to this ecosystem. There's interest from the industry, and we're seriously considering options for a sequel to ODE, in the form of a Life Sciences & Health Portal, not limited to diagnostics but for the entire sector."
""The network infrastructure and substantive financial support have led to tremendous achievements in diagnostics. We take exceptional pride in this.""
Ton Vries Chair of the LIFE Cooperative
Protyon, a medtech startup from Groningen, aims to enhance the quality and prolong the lives of people with cancer, specifically lung cancer. Within ODE, they've developed a prototype of their innovative software technology, Voythea. This technology provides physicians an automated tool for personalized treatment options based on molecular modeling of unknown cancer mutations. The objective is to enhance treatment effectiveness through better analysis of mutations in cancer proteins. Protyon's software generates 3D models of mutated proteins, enabling more precise treatment proposals. Named to capture the essence of the company - a blend of 'Procyon' and 'protein' - Protyon serves as a 'navigator' for physicians, based on the pioneering work of UMCG's Molecular Tumor Board. Their efforts showcase promising results, significantly extending lifespans and improving the quality of life for patients, garnering national and international interest in their technology.
Reyedar focuses on developing preventive diagnostic tools for visual and neurodegenerative conditions. Within ODE, Reyedar furthered its diagnostic tool, contributing, among other things, to early detection of changes in eye movements. By combining swift oculography with artificial intelligence, Reyedar offers medical insights into the nervous system and visual functions. This non-invasive, painless method rapidly gathers extensive information, alleviating pressure on physicians and catering to diverse age groups. They aim to promote telemedicine by developing a system to remotely collect and analyze eye data, enhancing healthcare accessibility. Participation in ODE has propelled Reyedar significantly, as stated by Alessandro Grillini, CEO of Reyedar: "We began the ODE project with a prototype essentially being a bundle of cables holding various components together, and we ended the project with a complete device that has made headlines multiple times in the Dutch optics market."
Source article: ODE
With the launch of LIFE Capital, the Northern Netherlands gains a powerful collaboration platform that brings together companies, talent, and knowledge institutions in the fast-growing Life Sciences & Health sector. During a special launch dinner on Tuesday, November 25 at LIFE Cooperative member Polyvation on the Groningen Campus, not only was the new brand unveiled, but an ambitious vision for the future was also presented. LIFE Capital, formerly LIFE Academy, marks the next phase of the LIFE Cooperative: shifting from a focus on training alone to a broadly supported collaboration platform for human capital. “With LIFE Capital we are taking the next step in strengthening our sector,” says Melloney Dröge, board member of the LIFE Cooperative. “We are bringing companies, talent, and knowledge together into one ecosystem where growth, learning, and innovation go hand in hand. We are aiming for a joint approach to the human capital challenges of our sector. In this way, we are building a region where you can truly move forward for a lifetime, literally and figuratively.”From LIFE Academy to LIFE Capital The transition from LIFE Academy to LIFE Capital is more than a name change. The new brand reflects the organization’s growth and its ambition to look beyond training alone. LIFE Capital will become the linchpin of human capital in the Life Sciences & Health sector: it connects talent, companies, and knowledge, accelerates collaboration, and strengthens the position of the Northern Netherlands as a breeding ground for innovation and talent. A long and healthy life: that is ultimately what Life Sciences & Health is all about. Thanks to innovations from companies in this sector, diseases are detected sooner, treated more effectively, and sometimes even prevented. From breakthrough therapies to keeping healthcare affordable and accessible, the business community acts as the engine behind life-changing progress. LIFE Capital aims to strengthen that foundation by investing in people, knowledge, and collaboration. “LIFE Capital helps companies move forward, but also strengthens the image and visibility of our sector,” says Sven Stielstra, Manager of LIFE Capital. “In this way, we show what Life Sciences & Health truly stands for and make the sector attractive to new talent and innovative companies. Over the next ten years, we will attract €50 million for human capital. In this first year alone, we have already realized €6.6 million through regional and national funds.”Looking ahead: recruitment campaign and pilots in 2026 Today, the day after the launch dinner, LIFE Capital’s recruitment campaign begins. This campaign focuses on attracting participants for the first pilot modules, which will start in spring 2026. These modules were developed thanks to an intensive and unique collaboration between Hanze, UMCG, and various companies within the sector. By combining knowledge and practical experience, top-notch programmes have been created that will be tested in the coming period. After the pilot phase, the modules will be further developed and made more widely available later in 2026 to everyone in the Northern Netherlands who wishes to contribute to a strong Life Sciences & Health ecosystem.About LIFE Capital LIFE Capital is the collaboration platform of the LIFE Cooperative, a network of more than 60 companies in the Life Sciences & Health sector. The platform connects organisations around shared human capital challenges and develops solutions that attract, develop, and retain talent. What started ten years ago as separate initiatives within the cooperative has grown into a strategic programme in which companies, knowledge institutions, and governments work together on a structural basis. With activities ranging from joint training and HR networks to new educational programmes and labour market research, LIFE Capital works towards one goal: a strong, agile region in which talent in life sciences & health can continue to grow with the right skills. Move people forward.About LIFE Cooperative The LIFE Cooperative stimulates innovation in the life sciences by facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors. Through various programmes and events, LIFE promotes the development of technologies that improve health and well-being. The cooperative represents more than 60 companies in the Northern Netherlands, ranging from ambitious startups and innovative SMEs to international players. Together, they represent approximately 5,000 FTEs and a turnover of €500 million.
Accelerating Sustainability in Healthcare Paulina Snijders, member of the UMCG Executive Board, and Bart Volkers, director of the Circular Groningen Drenthe Association (VCGD), opened the executive network meeting. They emphasized the importance of cooperation between all partners. Artist Maria Koijck delivered an inspiring keynote on visualizing hospital waste. UMCG Chief Green Officer Schelto Kruijff outlined opportunities to accelerate sustainability in healthcare, sharing inspiring examples such as the use of a washable, reusable insulation gown. Project leaders Sven Jurgens and Femke van der Zant described how the consortium has significantly developed in recent times.Various Work Packages The executives exchanged extensive experience and knowledge, and the Care2Change work package leaders presented posters. The work packages focus on areas such as redesigning single-use healthcare products and mapping the CO₂ emissions of products. Sven Jurgens said: “Care2Change is the starting point for continued collaboration on making healthcare more sustainable. How valuable it would be if, through this collaboration, we could provide a blueprint for others to inspire them to go green as well.”Northern Netherlands as an Example Hanneke Bouwsema, secretary to the special government representative for the circular economy at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, emphasized the importance of starting small and recognizing the sustainable initiatives that are already working well. She described the Northern Netherlands as a “role model” for The Hague when it comes to making healthcare more sustainable.About the Care2Change Consortium Care2Change is a collaboration between UMCG, University of Groningen, Martini Hospital, Sterinoord, GS1/EAN Netherlands, Boikon, Ommelander Hospital, Treant, Frisius MC, NHL Stenden, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Circular Friesland Association, LIFE Cooperative, Circular Groningen Drenthe Association, Green Chemistry Drenthe Business Network (SUSPACC), Milieuplatform Zorg, Nij Smellinghe, Pezy Product Design, 8D Games, House of Design, Antonius Hospital, NOM, Menzis, De Friesland, Ecoras, BBENG, the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, and the municipalities of Groningen, Assen, Leeuwarden and Emmen. The project is partly funded by SNN’s ERDF resources, with co-financing from the participating organizations.More Information Want to know more about Care2Change and the consortium? Read: UMCG trots op nieuwe samenwerking die uitstoot terugdringt: Care2change Source article: Care2Change
Recently, the LIFE Cooperative, together with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), has been working hard on submitting projects to PharmaNL.
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