The Netherlands' BioPharma Sector Intensifies Through Innovation

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced it would relocate its headquarters from London to Amsterdam. The move solidifies the Netherlands' position as a European leader in biopharma innovation.

With world-class research institutions, a highly educated workforce and a strong distribution network, the Netherlands is a hub for biopharmaceutical companies. Top multinationals including AstraZeneca, Janssen, MSD, Amgen and Teva rely on Dutch operations for both R&D and distribution activities. Key Dutch logistics partners like DHL, pharma supply chain manager Movianto and HealthLink Europe provide logistics outsourcing for more than 130 life science manufacturing companies.

"The Netherlands has one of the top healthcare ecosystems in the world, which has fostered a rich network of biopharma innovation," said Sandra de Wild-Chardonnens, Life Sciences Sector Specialist at the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). "The relocation of the EMA reinforces the Netherlands' position as a desirable location for bioscience companies."

Dutch companies and researchers are known particularly for their expertise in the fields of immuno-oncology, infectious diseases, regenerative medicine and stem cells. Holland is home to diverse companies developing cancer therapeutics and immunotherapy techniques, including Genmab, Kite Pharma, Janssen and MSD. Cell therapy CMO Lonza has nearly 70,000 sq. ft. of Dutch facilities.

The Dutch pharma ecosystem also supports drug discovery companies, like OcellO and Ncardia, and manufacturers like Synthon and Aspen. PRA also has a state-of-the-art facility in Groningen. At Hubrecht Institute, a Dutch team led by molecular geneticist Hans Clevers is pioneering "organoids" aka mini organs―including livers, lungs and intestines―grown from stem cells to test specific drugs outside the body.

The Netherlands' network of research parks and university hospitals contribute to biopharma innovation. For example, Holland's Pivot Park in Oss features a new medicines Screening Centre with two fully automated robotic systems, while the Rotterdam Science Tower is home to an incubator called LabHotel. Leiden Bio Science Park ranks as one of Europe's most successful science parks. These research parks are examples of the Dutch's rare triple helix ecosystem, which combines academics, industry and government to grow business and support innovation.

NFIA helps North American companies expand to the Netherlands from its regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. To learn more, visit: investinholland.com.

SOURCE Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency

Related Links

http://www.investinholland.com