'Collaboration is key'

Award

The LIFE Science Innovation Award rewards the innovation with the most impact in life science and health, with an origin in the Northern Netherlands. The prize is a check to the value of €5.000,-. Out of more than twenty applications and nominations four finalists were selected: Detact Diagnostics, TRACER, ICON and Sulfateq. These four companies pitched their innovation during the exciting final of the Award during the conference. The jury, represented by, among others, people from the municipality of Groningen, NOM and Pharma Connect Capital, choose unanimously for Detact Diagnostics.

They developed the VIPER® technology (Visualization by Infrared PEptide Reaction), with which bacteria and viral infections can be detected quickly and easily. This technology is used for various applications including the RenoTact and SynoTact tests. Dialysis is a treatment for patients with kidney failure. By means of hemodialysis in the hospital or peritoneal dialysis at home, waste products are filtered from the blood. RenoTact with VIPER® technology enables patients to test their dialysis fluid easily and quickly at home. In this way, an infection of the peritoneum (peritonitis) can be detected at an early stage.

'Looking for a bigger room'

That the conference meets a need, has become clear by the many registrations, up to the point that a stop to the registrations was necessary. The first LIFE Science Conference brought together 180 regional and national players in the life sciences and health sector and local authorities. On the agenda were panel discussions,  keynote speaker prof.dr. Ben Feringa, several pitches of companies in the life science and health sector, the award ceremony of the first Innovation Award and lots of opportunity for networking. The result was a lively and successful event for visitors and organisor, the LIFE Cooperative. Ton Vries, chair of the LIFE Cooperative: “It was our ambition to organise a valuable event for our sector in the Northern Netherlands, that grows faster every year by the way, than the national average. We also wanted to put the success of the cooperation in the spotlights and encourage new collaborations. Considering the overwhelming interest and the inspiring day, we can say that we succeeded in our intent and I am proud of that. We better go look for a bigger venue for our next edition."

Future

Content, attendance and impact of the first LIFE Science Conference and Innovation Award leave one wanting more. The first palns for a second edition are therefore already in the making. Additionally, the LIFE Cooperative is currently working on a  Human Capital Agenda.The aim of this is to identify the specific problems regarding talent in the life science sector in the Northern Netherlands and then to come up with sensible interventions. The presentation of this agenda is expected in the fall of 2022.

The LIFE Science Conference and Innovation Award 2022 are sponsored by NV NOM, municipality of Groningen, Bsuniness Association WEST, the province of Groningen, Campus Groningen and the LIFE Cooperative.

About the LIFE Cooperative

The LIFE Cooperative is the northern collaboration in the fields of life sciences and medical technology. The cooperation, established in 2015, strives for the strengthening of innovation power by effective and efficient collaboration. The impact of the LIFE Cooperative on the Life Sciences & Health sector in the Northern Netherlands is large. Over 45 companies – including startups, SME's and international players -, 4.250 fte and 450 million in revenue is represented in the cooperation.