The LIFE Cooperative, part of the Campus Groningen ecosystem, has announced the four finalists of the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2025: MemoryLab Health, QT Sense, Sabiad, and CC Diagnostics. These companies demonstrate how the Northern Netherlands, with groundbreaking innovations, can make a global impact in Life Sciences & Health. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, September 23, during the LIFE Science Conference at Forum Groningen. Read the full announcement here!
Finalisten van de LIFE Innovation Award 2025 bekend: impactvolle innovaties in de spotlight
The LIFE Cooperative proudly announces the finalists for the LIFE Science Innovation Award 2025: MemoryLab Health, QT Sense, Sabiad, and CC Diagnostics. Each has been nominated for the progress they are making with groundbreaking innovations with significant (potential) impact in Life Sciences & Health, from and for the Northern Netherlands. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during the fourth edition of the LIFE Science Conference at Forum Groningen.
“We are incredibly proud of this year’s impressive list of finalists. Many companies have been nominated by their peers, which shows that the quality and innovative strength in the Northern Netherlands remains consistently high and is widely recognized,” said Linda Dijkshoorn, director of the LIFE Cooperative and chair of the Award jury.
This year’s jury consists of five members: Marco de Jong (Investment Manager, NV NOM), Laura Gähler (Valorisation Manager, Health~Holland), Niek Huizenga (Fund Manager, Future Tech Ventures), Manny Wiersma (Head of Economic Affairs, Municipality of Groningen), and Annelies de Lange (Senior Advisor Sustainability, Association Innovative Medicines).
Recognition for Innovation
The LIFE Science Innovation Award recognizes the innovation with the greatest (potential) impact in Life Sciences & Health originating from the Northern Netherlands. Companies, (knowledge) institutes, and projects can apply for this award. The finalists are evaluated on their innovative strength, social relevance, and growth potential. The Award will be presented during the LIFE Science Conference, which this year focuses on “Sustainability in Healthcare”, an urgent theme.
More info: https://lifescienceconference.nl/
The Nominees
The 2025 finalists show that the Northern Netherlands is not only innovating but also developing solutions that can make a difference worldwide. From early disease detection to smart treatment methods—meet the four contenders.
Early Detection of Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: MemoryLab Health
The urgency is high: neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly common. MemoryLab Health develops technology for diagnosing and monitoring neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive functions. Their innovation enables early detection of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. This offers tremendous opportunities to improve patients’ quality of life, plan treatments more effectively, and accelerate scientific research.
Making the Invisible Visible with Quantum Technology: QT Sense
With its Quantum Nova innovation, QT Sense brings groundbreaking quantum technology to the heart of biology. Their sensors can detect free radicals in living cells with subcellular precision. This breakthrough allows researchers to study subtle biological processes that were previously invisible. As a result, QT Sense contributes to faster discoveries, earlier diagnosis, and improved treatments.
Sabiad Develops Theranostic Tracer Against Implant Infections by Staphylococcus aureus
Implant infections are among the most severe complications in orthopedics and traumatology, with major consequences for patients and healthcare systems. They cause prolonged hospitalizations, re-operations, and sometimes even amputations or death. Staphylococcus aureus is the main culprit, while existing diagnostics and treatments are often too slow and imprecise.
Sabiad is developing the 1D9 tracer, a unique antibody that binds 100% specifically to S. aureus and can both detect and treat infections as a theranostic solution. This approach improves patient outcomes, reduces antibiotic use, and prevents complications such as biofilm formation. In doing so, Sabiad addresses one of the greatest medical challenges and works toward patient-specific, sustainable infection care with global impact.
Early Detection Saves Lives: Innovation in Cancer Screening – CC Diagnostics
CC Diagnostics develops superior diagnostic methods for the early detection of cervical cancer. Their PCR-based kit delivers reliable results six times faster, enabling timely intervention. By identifying abnormalities at a very early stage, they significantly increase the chances of successful treatment. With this innovation, CC Diagnostics contributes to better care and higher survival rates for women worldwide.
Linda Dijkshoorn:
“Healthcare sustainability is mainly about the long-term viability and future of the system. The finalists show how innovation can contribute to better and more efficient—and therefore more sustainable—care. We are looking forward to the undoubtedly exciting finale of the Innovation Award and the pitches from these nominees.”
About the LIFE Cooperative
The LIFE Cooperative fosters innovation in life sciences by facilitating collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors. Through various programs and events, LIFE promotes the development of technologies that improve health and well-being. The cooperative represents more than 60 companies in the Northern Netherlands: from ambitious startups and innovative SMEs to international players. Together they account for about 5,000 FTE and a turnover of €500 million.
The LIFE Science Conference is an initiative of the LIFE Cooperative and is made possible with the support of the Municipality of Groningen, Health~Holland, NV NOM, Municipality of Assen, and various other partners and sponsors.
Source text: LIFE Cooperative
Photo: LIFE Science Conference 2024. Photographer: Casper Maas
