The Innovation Competition is a training programme organised by Mercator Launch. Researchers will follow a programme in which they get to pitch their business idea. During the Grande Finale, the researchers will pitch this idea to an expert jury. In addition to the top prize of €10.000, there will also be a runner-up and audience award of €5.000 each. With this pre-seed capital, the researchers can bring their innovation closer to the market and create impact. In addition, they receive extra support from Mercator Launch to make their startup successful.
Eerder vertelden we al over de nieuwe innovatie PIKO zodat een baby altijd op een vertrouwde plek kan slapen, ook al is dat buiten de deur. Lees hier het artikel over Francien Mels die deze innovatie ontwikkelde.
Nu is deze innovatie genomineerd voor de Innovation Baby Awards. Help je haar mee in deze verkiezing? Breng dan je stem uit via deze link.
The programme of the Health Valley Event Transition in Healthcare is reaching its final stages. We zoom in more closely on affordable and accessible healthcare of today and tomorrow, supported by technological innovations.
Ernst Kuipers, Minister of health, wellfare and sport opens the Health Valley Event
Keynote speaker: Sietske Rozie will talk about ‘Transition of intelligence in healthcare’
Keynote speaker: Maroeska Rovers will talk about ‘The importance of technology’
Value-driven care, what does it actually mean: Together with our partner TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) you will explore the world behind the term value-driven care. A term you see everywhere these days but what does it actually mean and how to measure value-driven care in practice?
Employee and technology, upscaling best practices: In this session UoAS Arnhem/Nijmegen (HAN) and WZW as employer organisation will discuss how technology can optimize effectiveness and deployability.
Create your own session!
Interested in presenting your business or organisation in your own session or do you want to make use of our HVE profiling options in another way, on our exhibition floor for example? Check out the full range of profiling options.
Order your ticket!
Only pay €375 for your ticket. The ticket includes lunch, dinner and full access to all sessions, the exhibition floor and 1-on-1 matchmaking options.
Science meets Business (SMB) is op zoek naar een programmamanager die fungeert als dagelijks aanspeekpunt en zorg draagt voor de acquisitie, de exploitatie van de ruimtes en de inhoudelijke programma- en community ontwikkeling van de SMB Health Incubator. Ook de communicatie en de marketing van de Health Incubator en de belangrijkste regionale stakeholders zijn onderdeel van deze functie. Kom jij ons team versterken?
Als programmamanager ben je verantwoordelijk voor de volgende kernactiviteiten:
Verhuurders- en huurdersbelangen
Verhuren van ruimtes aan bedrijven binnen de Health Incubator.
Verzorgen van de financiële exploitatie van de Health Incubator.
Verlenen van diensten (faciliteren services) aan bestaande huurders.
Verder onderhouden en uitbouwen van het bestaande SMB netwerk.
Via business-support begeleiden van spin-off ondernemingen van Radboudumc.
Community building middels bijeenkomsten
De programmering richt zich op het inhoudelijk verbinden van de interne Radboudumc activiteiten met de bedrijven middels thematische SMB netwerkbijeenkomsten waarbij naast de inhoud, het netwerken en verbinden centraal staat.
Door het organiseren van evenementen, workshops e.d. die bijdragen aan de ontwikkeling van de Health Incubator.
Opzetten en onderhouden van een alumni netwerk van spin-off ondernemingen van Radboudumc.
(beter) Ontsluiten van kennis en informatie over beschikbare onderzoeksfaciliteiten op de campus ten behoeve van het bedrijfsleven.
Daarnaast ben je(mede)verantwoordelijk voor de volgende ondersteunende activiteiten:
Acquisitie
Opstellen en levendig houden van de leadlijst van potentiële huurders (binnen een SharePoint omgeving).
Voeren van acquisitiegesprekken met potentiële huurders en het toepassen van relatiebeheer met bestaande leads en regionale stakeholders.
In het kader van “Campus Nijmegen” opstellen, onderhouden en toepassen van een gezamenlijk afwegingskader ten aanzien van nieuwe en bestaande huurders. Met als doel om met de andere regionale campussen te komen tot een doorgroeistrategie voor bedrijven, waarbinnen voor elke bedrijfsfase van een onderneming ruimte aanwezig is binnen de Lifeport regio.
Profilering en Marketing
Ontwikkelen van een eigen Health Incubator profiel; o.a. door middel van uitdragen (succes) verhalen waarbij de inhoud leidend is.
Ontwikkelen van communicatiemateriaal ten behoeve van de SMB Health Incubator.
Opmaken en versturen van 2-maandelijkse nieuwsbrieven.
Ontwikkelen en opmaken van content voor de SMB-website.
Bezoeken van beurzen/conferenties.
Opmaken en versturen van (kennis)artikelen over het Nijmeegse ecosysteem.
Deze activiteiten dienen te worden geconcretiseerd in een op te stellen marketingplan waarbij de aanwezige verschillende in de regio worden benut.
Scouten & Screenen.
Het continu op zoek zijn naar potentiële (startup) bedrijven waarmee het Radboudumc samen werkt of kan gaan werken.
Voeren van intakegesprekken waarin wordt gediagnosticeerd wat de status van een startup bedrijf is en welke ondersteuning er (mogelijk) vanuit SMB/Valorisatie/Radboudumc Holding/Briskr kan worden gegeven.
Verzorgen (of laten verzorgen) van 1-op-1 coaching ten behoeve van spin-off bedrijven.
Meer informatie en direct solliciteren via deze link.
Radioactive medication is a hopeful solution for many cancer patients, but poses major waste management problems for hospitals. The medication makes patients’ urine radioactive and hospitals are obliged to prevent it to be discharged to the sewer, therefore need to store it, often for a long time. ZerEau has spent the past two years working hard to find a solution in the form of a filter that removes the radioactivity from urine making storage needs smaller and simpler, allow more patients to be treated and prevent harmful chemicals (radioactive or decayed products) enter into the environment.
“We all know that water is extremely precious and that we need to use it sparingly and carefully”, says Mattijs Maris, one of the four founders of ZerEau. “Our whole team has a background in water treatment, especially for medical institutions. We are specialized in reducing water volumes and prevent medical residues to spread into the environment. Capturing radioactivity is the next level.” So, how do you turn 120 litres of radioactive flush water per patient into less than 1 litre of radioactive solid waste? ZerEau has the solution.
Solution for contaminated water ZerEau was hired to design a filter to purify radioactive contaminated water from hospitals. ”After six months of lab testing the filter, we offered to develop the toilet to match the filters as well. In the summer of 2021, the first prototype of the system was ready for the first patients. There are currently 2 working prototypes in Belgium, 3 others will be installed early 2023.”
Grant brings roadshow ZerEau had many questions they wanted to answer with field testing; How good are the filters in real life? Do the filters work outside the lab? And how do the filters work with patients who are no longer perfectly healthy? “The data from the study provided us with new research results, which we used to create new prototypes. We applied for an EU-grant that was awarded early 2022.”
That grant kickstarted the development of three new prototypes. These are used in Dutch hospitals, as showcases. “Hospitals get to use the filter for a few months, then we move onto the next hospital. By testing in multiple hospitals, we get a lot more data. As data is key at this stage, this roadshow really is an opportunity for us.”
Changing healthcare Working with Briskr brought ZerEau a lot of information on legal and financial matters. They also learned more about subsidies, certifications and gained access to provinces and business angels. “Briskr supported us with many of our questions about a new, complex product. The coming year is all about field testing. That should eventually lead to a production series and a design we can officially launch. It’s good to know Briskr and its partners will remain available for help & support.”
ZerEau also wants to develop filters for multiple types of therapies. “The focus is still on radioactive therapies, but many more applications are possible, such as the removal of contrast media. We are already talking with several Dutch hospitals to explore these other fields.”
Causing change in healthcare is no easy task. “It takes a lot of convincing. In addition, the Netherlands lacks good legislation about water conservation at the healthcare level. We have an international focus, because the issue we’re solving is world-wide. There is still a world to win, and we are happy to dedicate ourselves to that!”.
Heb jij een businesscase ontwikkeld die bijdraagt aan gelijke kansen in de samenleving? Voor een gezond leven, welzijn en toegang tot de arbeidsmarkt? En waarbij preventie en financiële gezondheid vooropstaan? Dan zijn wij op zoek naar jou! Of jouw initiatief er nu voor zorgt dat we straks langer thuis kunnen blijven wonen, mensen begeleidt naar werk, of deze bijdraagt aan digitalisering of circulaire samenwerking in de zorg. Schrijf je in voor de Rabo Duurzame Innovatieprijs 2023! Goed voor jouw bedrijf & goed voor onze toekomst samen.
The Netherlands Enterpise Agency (RVO) highlighted 11 Dutch start-ups have raised a total of €77 million in funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme. This puts the Netherlands in second place among the countries that receive the most money from this programme.
One of those companies is Nijmegen-based Prothinhi Therepeutics, a preclinical stage biotech company developing novel broad-spectrum antiviral drugs against upcoming viral health threats diseases (dengue, zika, WNV, Corona, Chikungunia) with a high unmet medical need.
Prevention is better than cure, so it is said in the medical world. And according to Francien Mels, founder of Noviocare, this also applies to sleep. “People often speak about healthy eating and sufficient exercise, but sleeping well is also incredibly important for your long-term health. That’s where I want to make a difference with Noviocare.”
Where better to start looking at healthy sleep preventively than with the very youngest age group? “Sleeping well is starting to become more and more of a trend, which I am glad about,” Francien says. “But there are still very few solutions. I thought: sleeping well is the basis. If you sleep well, everything automatically improves.”
Francien Mels
Massive long-term impact
Sleeping poorly seems like something small, but the opposite is true, according to Francien. “In the long-term, a sleep deficit is very bad for people. Not only for grownups but for babies as well. Even behavioural development is affected. And, well-sleeping babies are also a blessing for parents: you’re hitting two birds with one stone.”
Briskr connected Francien to Health Valley. “They helped me build my business plan. OostNL’s customer journey program brought me many insights as well.” Francien started with extensive market research, asking not only parents but also medical specialists to share their experiences.
Noviocare developed their product ‘PIKO’ building on those findings: a secure sleeping environment for a baby, wherever it sleeps. “There are three essentials to a good night’s sleep: rest, routine and regularity. However, our life is far from quiet. Babies have two working parents, noisy siblings, and go to daycare. When asked, parents say their kids end up sleeping in five different places on average per week, sometimes as many as ten.”
Working on a routine
So, parents want to move towards rest, routine and regularity but don’t get around to it because of their busy schedules. PIKO is the solution to that, according to Francien. “With PIKO, you have the same sleeping place for your baby everywhere. In the playpen, in the cradle, in your own bed. And taking it with you is very simple, so even at daycare, at grandma and grandpa’s and on holiday, your baby still sleeps in a familiar environment.”
PIKO’s goal is a better night’s sleep, and Francien explains that you need more than just a constant sleeping place. “Because you can also use sound to reinforce the bedtime ritual, PIKO also comes with a POD. You can turn on the sound when your baby wakes up or cries. The accompanying app helps you structure their sleeping behaviour. You keep a diary, and compare your child’s sleep behaviour with what a baby of that age needs.”
PIKO
Ready to launch
Noviocare’s first product has now been developed, validated and tested for safety. The first results from the pilot are promising. At the Negenmaandenbeurs, where the prizes of the Baby Innovation Awards will also be presented, the PIKO will be officially launched. “We are nominated for the Awards, so it’s the perfect time to launch!”
The PIKO seems like a logical solution to a temporary problem, but Francien hopes for more. “It would be even nicer if prospective parents already see this as a solution. That puts us more into the preventive corner, from which this business idea was born.”
Francien and Noviocare’s focus is now on PIKO, but much more is possible in the future. “We don’t focus on the age group, but on sleep quality. Older children and adults benefit just as much from healthy sleep.”
Enzyre uses investments to save thousands on healthcare According to Guido Maertens, co-founder and CEO of Enzyre, money is key to success in the world of biotech and life science. “In this world, you really have to believe in your own plans and products, otherwise it gets very tough. But the potential for our product is worth the effort since the treatment of haemophilia is extremely expensive.” With the completion of this Series A round, Enzyre has secured funding to further develop its first product for haemophilia and platform technology.
Guido Maertens
Right now, it’s all about making their prototype robust for Enzyre. “We want to move towards clinical validation testing. As a research tool, we don’t want to get stuck. The ultimate goal is to help patients at home. That’s why we have to step up the quality!”
What will Enzyre help patients at home with? The company focuses on patients with haemophilia, a chronic blood disease. “These people do not have enough active factor-8 protein, so the blood doesn’t clot sufficiently. Quite simply, a small bleed can already have extreme consequences for these people.” Patients in the Netherlands receive proper, often prophylactic treatment. “They inject medication every week. But as a patient, you also want to know how much medication is left in your blood. That’s where we come in.”
Monitoring for peace of mind
Enzyre is currently developing the EnzyPad, a tool that allows patients to monitor their medication levels. So how does that work? “It starts with taking a blood sample. Fortunately, this can be done painlessly with a blood sampling device. You put that sample on our EnzyCard, our test card. We mix the blood with a number of chemicals. This causes a reaction, producing light. You can measure light in the form of photons. Simply put: if there are too few photons, it’s time for more medication.”
This simple monitoring provides peace of mind for patients, according to Guido. “Patients now know exactly how well the medication is working. It reassures them. They know they’re protected, should something happen. It also means that people can lead a more active life because fear doesn’t hold a grip on them.” There are also major benefits for the healthcare system. “Treatment for haemophiliacs costs around €250,000 a year. So any saving quickly yields a profit.”
Long- and short-term
In the short term, Enzyre is going to use the money it raised to go from a prototype to a product. This also includes the realization of a pilot product line. But there is also the long term. “We don’t just want to focus on haemophilia. We want to become a leading company in the world of blood clotting. We probably need a partnership for that, with a diagnostic company, for example. We are very good at research and development, but we could use some help with sales or distribution.”
Enzyre is already working with many companies in the region. “The Noviotech Campus has brought us a lot in terms of networking. We develop our hardware in collaboration with Sencio and EPR Partner. And our first sensors came from NXP!”
Thousands of potential savings
Guido is also very happy about the partnership with Takeda. “They are a very big pharmaceutical company, with an awful lot of content knowledge. For a company like Enzyre, a partnership like that is rather unique, but we’re happy to be working together. We couldn’t have closed this investment round without Takeda.” The successful round of investment brings patients one step closer to leaving their fears behind. This way Enzyre continues to use its network on and off campus to lower the impact of haemophilia on patients’ lives. As medication is costly, their product has the potential to lower healthcare costs by thousands of euros per patient.
