Download 2024 programme pdf.

The organisation keeps the right to make changes to the programme at any time.

  • 08:00

    Investors forum part 1 - breakfast session -

    Hosted by Johnson & Johnson Innovation

    The investors forum is an exciting opportunity for those companies looking for equity capital and/or partnerships with companies and institutes across the life sciences value chain, from biotech, medtech and pharma companies to financiers and universities. The forum offers excellent opportunities for presenting your company or university to Venture Capitalists, corporate- and regional investment funds and to discuss your business strategy.

  • 08:30

    Exhibition

    Present your company, products, technology or service. Open from 08:30 till 18:30 hours.

  • 09:15

    Plenary opening programme

    Hosted by Leiden Bio Science Park

    Welcome by our moderator Suzanne Spliethoff MSc. and official opening.

    • Opening

      by Esther Peters, Director Leiden Bio Science Park

    • Keynote: The power of mRNA: transforming healthcare beyond COVID-19

      by Jolanda Crombach, Managing Director at Moderna.

      In this presentation, Jolanda Crombach, Managing Director of Moderna Netherlands, will discuss how Moderna has evolved from over 12 years of R&D and the success of its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine into a multi-product company at the forefront of innovation. The foundation of Moderna is built on a key principle: if mRNA works as a medicine for one disease, it has the potential to work for many others. Jolanda will explain how mRNA technology —by instructing the body to create its own medicines— has the potential to address not only infectious diseases like COVID-19 and RSV but also cancer, rare diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Jolanda will provide a comprehensive overview of mRNA technology and its production process, illustrating how its rapid and flexible development capabilities are revolutionizing healthcare. She will also explain the pivotal role AI plays in driving innovation and e?iciency across Moderna’s R&D and wider operations. Additionally, Jolanda will touch on incorporating new technologies into the Dutch healthcare system. Finally, she will showcase how Moderna’s pipeline and strategic collaborations, including the mRNA Access program, are shaping the future of healthcare and amplifying the impact of mRNA technology.

      Followed by a panel discussion with
      ▪ Jolanda Crombach, Managing Director at Moderna
      ▪ Annemiek Verkamman, Managing Director at hollandbio
      Sahar van Waalwijk van Doorn-Khosrovani, Pharmacist / Member of National Funder's Committee for Evaluation of Specialised Medicine & MDx at CZ

    • Venture Challenge

      Hosted by Health~Holland

      The winner of the Venture Challenge Fall 2024 will be announced!

  • 10:40

    Break

    Time for networking and to visit the exhibition.

  • 11:30

    Parallel morning sessions

    Impact Investing: How it helps the value proposition of entrepreneurs

    Hosted by Axon Lawyers

    Presentations by

    Dr. Rachel Abbott, Chief Executive Officer at Pan Cancer T
    Eleanor Price PhD, Associate at Thuja Capital
    Dr. Stephanie Mooij, Head of Responsible Investment at Gilde Healthcare

    Should you stay independent as a medical device company, or not?

    Hosted by QbD Group

    Presentations by
    Luc Segers, Division Head, Business & Communications at QbD
    Prof. Dr. Wiro Niessen, Dean Faculty Medical Sciences, University of Groningen; Board Member UMCG / Founder Quantib
    Bram Schermers, CEO/CTO Sirius Medical Systems

    Cell therapy: The investment landscape and clinical insights

    Hosted by Progress - Experts in Life Sciences

    Presentations by
    Dr. Jan De Kerpel, Managing Director - Head Life Sciences & Healthcare at Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Banking
    Chantal van Litsenburg, Manager - translational effectiveness LUMC
    Dr. Frank van Engelenburg, Managing Consultant at Progress - Experts in Life Sciences

  • 12:45

    Lunch

    Time for networking and to visit the exhibition.

  • 14:00

    Parallel afternoon programme

    Strategies to extend runway and lowering costs in life sciences

    Hosted by QAD

    Presentations by
    ▪ Dr. Hans Preusting, CEO Synerkine Pharma
    ▪ Ronald van der Geest PhD, Managing Partner 3D-PharmXchange
    Peter Jones, Principal Business Consultant at QAD

    Meeting the sustainability challenge in life sciences

    Hosted by Thermo Fisher Scientific

    Presentations and panel discussion with
    Prof. Dr. Schelto Kruijff, Professor of sustainable surgical oncology at UMCG/University of Groningen
    Samuel Aleman, Sr. Director Commercial Strategy EMEA - Clean Energy & Sustainability at ThermoFisher Scientific
    Bram de Moor LLM MBI, Project leader Urimon study

    The road to IPO

    Hosted by PwC

    Presentations and panel discussion with:
    ▪ Lena Takehana, Director at PwC - Capital Markets & Accounting Advisory
    ▪ Pepijn Holst, Manager Capital Markets at PwC
    ▪ Louise Kooij, Chief Accounting Officer at NewAmsterdam Pharma
    ▪ Sander Slootweg, Co-owner at Forbion

  • 15:15

    Break

    Time for networking and to visit the exhibition.

  • 16:00

    Plenary closing programme

    • Wrap up conference

      Wrap up the conference, together with feedback from the audience.

    • Announcement winner Investors Forum

      The winner of the Investors Forum will be awarded a partnering ticket (value EUR 2,500) and a half day Booster Session offered by PwC. Furthermore, the winner will present their pitch.

    • Keynote: A refreshing look at technology, innovation, and our future

      by Deborah Nas, Speaker | Author | Innovator

      Digital technologies are changing industries faster than ever, but not everyone is on board. People, company processes, and regulations often slow down innovation. In her keynote, Deborah will dive into why some resist new technologies and why startups are so important in pushing progress forward. She’ll also share examples of how AI and quantum technologies are set to spark the next big breakthroughs in life sciences.

      Deborah captivates every audience with her inspiring presentations filled with easy-to-understand yet surprising examples. By placing technological developments in both a societal and business context, she illustrates what is already happening today and what we can expect in the future. Deborah is renowned for her bespoke presentations.

      She is a technology enthusiast, professor, keynote speaker and active participant in the tech innovation space. Being an entrepreneur, consultant and non-executive board member, she knows what it takes to make innovation happen.

  • 17:00

    Reception

    Hosted by V.O. Patents & Trademarks

    Drinks, bites, networking and visit the exhibition!

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