On October 1 the Autumn Call from imec.istart.nl opens up, allowing you to apply to the worlds number 1 business accelerator program.
The 12-month Imec.istart.nl program offers tech startups tailored support, a great business network and €100.000 funding to succeed and grow globally. They prep you and your product for the market, growth, and investors.
Want to know more? Join one of imec.istart.nl’s online Info Session and get up to speed with the in’s and out’s of the program. Sign up here: https://imecistart.nl/en/services/startups/
There are limited spots available for the Autumn Call, so act fast!
Bringing a precision medicine solution to patients, comes with a unique set of challenges, especially for early-stage life sciences companies. A key question is who is going to pay for your innovation and which business model supports the execution of such a revenue structure. Additionally, you may have to navigate complex collaborations between pharma, academia and government. Join startups, established companies, key opinion leaders as well as J&J experts in precision medicine as we discuss these unique challenges.
Early innovators, academic researchers, and entrepreneurs are welcome to register here https://jji.jnj/3ZxErKL. We also welcome stakeholders supporting these startups.
The European Packaging, Assembly, and Test Workshop 2023 took place on September 6-7 in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Organized by Sencio BV, Oliver Maiwald and Steffen Kröhnert the event aimed to foster collaboration and mutual engagement across the semiconductor packaging supply chain. Key discussions included market trends, industry capabilities, and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the European semiconductor packaging ecosystem.
An exhibition space offered companies a platform to showcase their innovations and services. Alongside the technical sessions, attendees had opportunities for networking and business development, capped off by a social evening event for more informal interactions.
With a range of registration options, including special packages for ESiPAT-TC members, the event was accessible to professionals at various stages of their career. Keep an eye out for future editions of this increasingly significant European workshop.
You carry trillions of bacteria with you, which is even more than the amount of human cells. Most of them are living in the gut, with everyone having their own personal mixture. Although bacteria may have a negative connotation, your gut microbiota lives in symbiosis with your body. They not only help you digest food, the microbiota can influence your cognition through the gut-brain axis. This axis communicates in two ways; from your gut to your brain and vice versa. The communication goes via hormones, metabolites and the immune system. But exactly how does this bidirectional connection work?
In the Science Café on Monday the 9th of October, we will explore the gut-brain axis in health and disease with neuroscientist Esther Aarts (RU) and microbiologist Clara Belzer (WUR). The research of Aarts focuses on the brain end of the axis. She explores how cognitive and motivational functions are mediated through this axis in diseases such as ADHD and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. She is also interested in the neural mechanisms underlying eating behavior. At the gut end of the axis, Belzer studies the role of gut microbiota and their composition in the maintenance of health throughout life. Moreover, she investigates health interventions using pre- or probiotics in ADHD, obesity and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In symbiosis with the speakers, the Epoxy Quartet will charm us with their lyrical melodies and improvisational skills. So, follow your gut feeling to this edition of the Science Café!
scientists /8pm Esther Aarts (RU) and Clara Belzer (WUR)
music /7.30pm Epoxy Quartet
moderatorSijbrand de Jong
timeMonday October 9th 2023, 7.30/8 – 10 pm venueThe Shamrock, Smetiusstraat 17 in Nijmegen
Wethouder John Brom nodigt iedereen van harte uit en doet een oproep: “Omdat samenwerking van cruciaal belang is, vraag ik u om voor deze editie een ‘young potential’ mee te nemen uit uw netwerk.”
Welcome to the Kadans Innovation Summit: a unique event dedicated to fostering collaboration within the Life Sciences & Health, Agri & Food, Energy, and Digital Economy. Our lineup of Kadans community members, all experts in their field, will take you on a journey of their success stories within Science Clusters. These clusters are more than just locations – these are ecosystems brimming with opportunities, driving progress in innovation.
Kadans connects ambitions with resources, connecting you to talent, research and capital within these thriving ecosystems. During the Kadans Innovation Summit, we will showcase inspiring examples of companies flourishing within Science Clusters. Because at Kadans, we believe in empowering your journey within the heart of innovation.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and ignite your innovation journey.
Program November 8, 2023
12:30 – 13:00 Walk-in afternoon programme
13:00 – 14:30 Start plenary programme
14:30 – 15:30 Afternoon subsessions
15:30 – 15:45 Short break
15:45 – 16:45 Plenary closing programme
16:45 – 18:00 Drinks
Location: At the Park Rijswijk. Kessler Park 1 | 2288 GS Rijswijk | The Netherlands | +31 (0)411 625 625 |
After years in the corporate life sciences sector, Marco de Boer felt the urge to take the entrepreneurial plunge. With a PhD from VU Amsterdam and a first startup in 2015 focusing on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Marco was already making waves. But the tide really turned in 2019 when he met William Leenders. United by a vision to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, they co-founded Predica Diagnostics.
The duo tapped into the networks of Briskr and BANN to kick-start their business. “We soaked up insights from meetings on everything from Intellectual Property to Market Access,” Marco says. “The networking was a game-changer, introducing us to advisors, companies, and investors.”
William, with 25 years of research at Radboud University Medical Center, brought his ciRNAseq technology into the mix. This allows for early cancer detection by measuring gene expression with targeted RNA sequencing. “Our first roll-out is an early detection test for cervical cancer, and that’s just the beginning,” Marco adds.
But why cervical cancer? Marco is blunt: “The current system is flawed. The HPV virus, which is the main cause, has loads of variants, but only 15 are actually risky. This leads to a lot of unnecessary stress and inflated healthcare costs.”
Predica’s technology is designed to shake things up. “We can tell you which HPV variant you have, whether it’s active, and if it’s integrated into your DNA. We also keep tabs on oncogene activity. So, it’s not just more accurate but also more efficient,” Marco explains.
While their test, CervicaDX, can’t prevent cervical cancer, it’s a crucial tool for early detection. “Vaccines cover some ground but aren’t the be-all and end-all. Accurate and early detection remains our best shot at containing severe cervical cancer,” Marco concludes.
Despite being a lean team of just five, Predica Diagnostics is a small giant with outsize aspirations. They’re not just stopping at one game-changing cervical cancer test; they’re already laying the groundwork to make it market-ready. “We’re punching above our weight here, aiming to revolutionize oncology one test at a time,” Marco notes.
But don’t think they’re stopping at cervical cancer. Marco is quick to add, “Early detection can be a lifesaver—literally. Too many people have lost the fight against cancer simply because it was caught too late. That’s a huge motivator for us. We want to up those survival rates.”
As for the future? Predica Diagnostics is eyeing a broader landscape. “Look, there are awesome advancements like immunotherapy that can kick cancer’s butt, but for that to work best, you need precision. You need to know what you’re targeting,” Marco says. “Our tech can do that. It can show which receptors are active, helping doctors to make informed treatment decisions.”
Marco wraps up with a vision: “Imagine walking into a clinic for cancer treatment and our tests are standard protocol. That’s the dream. We aim to make precision diagnostics the norm, enabling doctors to ‘test before they treat.’ That’s where we’re headed.”
The Business Angels Network Nijmegen (BANN) is an initiative from Briskr and OostNL to connect angel investors with promising startups in health and hightech in the metropole region Arnhem-Nijmegen. In three events per year 12 startups in total are giving the opportunity to pitch their business idea and investment opportunity to an audience of interested investors. The normal range of investment is between 50K to 300K but in some cases a combination can be made with other investment channels. The event is invite only.
The meetings are held a Slot Doddendael in Ewijk (next to Nijmegen), start around 16:00 and are combined with dinner until 20:00.
For investors
The BANN is a network of 100+ investors interested in health and hightech sectors. Of these normally around 40 investors are present during the meetings. Before the meeting you will receive information about the startups to determine if a visit is justified. Beside the investment opportunities the BANN is also a social gathering including plenty of opportunity to network with other angels during dinner.
The BANN is supported by the partners of Briskr: BDO, Briskr, Catalyze, EP&C, Nijmegen, JLABS, Oost NL, Poelmann van den Broek, Qserve, Rabobank Rijk van Nijmegen and The Economic Board
Nijmegen is the city of Health and Hightech. Of course in many cases these are seperate sectors but in some cases they strengthen each other. Hightech has a lot of new potential for healthcare by using photonics in diagnostics, organ on a chip models and lab on a chip test.
Our SMB-network meeting on 2nd of November will show some interesting examples of the crossover between Health and Hightech. Ourobionics.com creates bio engineered skin tissue through a 3D printing technique that can be used as models in testing leading fewer animal testing. Surfixdx.com created a photonics sensor and assay to detect specific biomarkers, for example in relation to testing for cancer.
Surfixdx and Ourobionics will give a presentation on their technology during the meeting. After the program there is ample opportunity to network and create net links between the health and the hightech sector.
Live event This event will be organized in a live setting at Noviotech Campus in Nijmegen (building M, Mee&Greet area). A few days before the event we will send an email with practical information on directions/parking (sender = smb@radboudumc.nl). You might have to check your spam box.
Good to know Presentations are in English & the entrance is free (registration upfront is needed though). We welcome new guests, so please feel free to pass on this invitation to relevant people in your network!
Discover insights, strategies, and solutions to navigate the complex landscape of EU MDR. Engage with industry experts both in-person and virtually, as we decode challenges and pave the way for success. Secure your spot today!
Fundamentals of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR)
What is MDR?
Why was it implemented?
When did it come to force and what are the transition timelines?
Topics:
An overview of the challenges for manufacturers
Increased scrutiny for pre-market approval
The impact on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Solutions to navigate the new MDR requirements.
Conclusion and our recommendations
In-person participants:
GCP-Service International HQ office, Bremen, Germany
