Targeted investments in red biotechnology will lead to a structural GDP boost of 1.2 percentage points, 20,000 additional high-quality jobs, and faster access to innovations for patients. This is evident from an economic analysis by KPMG. This allows red biotechnology – innovative medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and advanced therapies – to become a cornerstone of the Netherlands as a whole. The analysis was prepared in the context of Peter Wennink's national investment agenda presented today.
National ambitions
KPMG demonstrates that targeted investments in Biotech Nexus – the national program proposed by the biotech sector – have significant economic leverage: every euro invested in public funds leads to an average of €2.50 in private investment and almost €2 in additional economic activity. Biotech Nexus coordinates and allocates public funds based on transparent criteria. It aims to unite regional strengths, accelerate knowledge valorization, and support companies in scaling up. This also enables the Dutch biotech ecosystem to take on an international leadership role.
National engine
"This initiative will serve as our national engine for red biotechnology," says Annemiek Verkamman, director of Hollandbio. "It will stimulate the growth and continued development of young companies by improving access to growth capital, strengthening the professional application of scientific knowledge, and supporting young companies with experienced entrepreneurs and investors." Furthermore, in its own growth strategy – compiled in a report – the sector proposes three illustrative national projects that contribute to business growth, attracting capital, and the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and solutions for the treatment of infectious diseases.
Fewer regulations, more data, faster access
The Netherlands boasts strong clusters, high-quality infrastructure, and internationally recognized knowledge institutions. To fully utilize the biosector's growth potential, strengthened preconditions are needed. These include access to capital and talent, shared and secure access to (bio)data, predictable and efficient permitting procedures, clinical research, rapid market access for innovations, and sufficient physical space for research, scaling, and production.
Strategic autonomy
Peter Ketelaar (Board, LIFE Cooperative):
“Targeted investments in red biotech not only create opportunities for the pharmaceutical sector, but also strengthen manufacturing, sustainability, and our broader societal agenda. It’s about strategic autonomy: the Netherlands must be able to produce essential medicines itself.”
Wiro Niessen (Executive Board, UMCG):
“The strength of the Netherlands lies in the collaboration between its regional hotspots, strong biobanks such as Lifelines, the expertise of university medical centers, and facilities like the Dutch AI Factory in Groningen. By linking reliable data and expertise to the innovative power of companies in our biotech sector, we create an innovation ecosystem that will significantly boost economic activity and exports — enabling biotech to become one of the cornerstones of the Dutch economy.”
Edward van der Meer (Director, Campus Groningen, and Chair, NCO – National Campus Council):
“For the campuses of national importance, this masterplan brings concrete new opportunities for research, education, and collaboration with industry. Students and researchers can contribute to groundbreaking innovations while gaining experience in an ecosystem focused on sustainable and strategically important biotechnology.”
