A completely sold-out venue, inspiring keynotes, the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative, and a thrilling conclusion to the Innovation Award with winner Neolook. This proved to be the perfect recipe for a vibrant edition of the LIFE Science Conference on Tuesday, September 24. This year's conference revolved around the theme 'Data Science for Life Science,' emphasizing the integration of data and artificial intelligence in the life sciences and health sectors. Over 200 entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers gathered to exchange knowledge and network about the future and ambitions of the sector.
The conference, held at Forum Groningen, was opened by the chairperson of the day, Renée van der Sluis, followed by the official kickoff of the event by Carine Bloemhoff, alderman of the municipality of Groningen, and Peter Ketelaar, director of the LIFE Cooperative. "For the third year in a row, we are organizing the conference on the fourth Tuesday of September. It’s becoming a real tradition, and I’m proud that we can once again showcase our innovative cooperative in life sciences and health, celebrate our 10th anniversary, and toast to it afterward. I encourage everyone to continue networking, searching for new collaborations and ideas," said Peter Ketelaar.
Wiro Niessen, Captain of Science for the Top Team Life Sciences & Health and specialized in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, gave a captivating first keynote. He envisions a significant role for creating a data-driven infrastructure in healthcare. With the right data, healthcare can become more precise and personalized.
After a short break, the audience returned for the second keynote, delivered by physician, administrator, and professor of medicine Marcel Levi. In his keynote, he discussed the broader societal implications of AI and data science and their role in healthcare, business, and science. Marcel Levi emphasized that there is great potential for using data and AI in healthcare, but that human involvement remains indispensable and cannot be replaced by computers.
A highlight of the afternoon was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the LIFE Cooperative. This milestone was marked by an interactive panel discussion with several members of the LIFE Cooperative, such as Symeres and Ardena, who are rooted in the region but have a global impact. The panel discussion highlighted future ambitions and reflected on the past decade. This was also the moment when two esteemed board members of the LIFE Cooperative, Ton Vries and Johannes Wolters, bid farewell. Their years of voluntary dedication and leadership have played a crucial role in the development of the life sciences sector in the Northern Netherlands.
The inspiring afternoon concluded with the reveal of the Innovation Award. Three innovative startups, Enatom, Neolook Solutions, and IVY Medical, took the stage and presented their groundbreaking innovations through powerful pitches. After the jury deliberation, the well-considered choice was announced: Neolook Solutions walked away with the prize money and the unique rotating trophy. Marco D’Agata, CEO of Neolook Solutions, proudly shared their plans for the prize money: “We will largely allocate the prize to the people for whom we are developing this tool – the nurses, who do the real hard and very important work.”
The Life Sciences & Health sector is thriving in Northern Netherlands, with global impact. During the annual conference, the LIFE Cooperative aims to highlight this impact, establish new collaborations, and facilitate meetings. The LIFE Science Conference is held annually on the fourth Tuesday of September.
The event is made possible by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, Municipality of Groningen, WEST Business Association, NV NOM, ICON, Innocore, Kadans Science Partner, ThermoFisher Scientific, BOOM Lab, Symeres Lode Holding, and Ofichem Group.
Source article: LIFE Cooperative
Photo's: Casper Maas Fotografie
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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