Networking, Partnering, Matchmaking
It's a well known fact that small biotech companies and large pharma companies tend to partner, providing the biotech companies with much needed cash and fueling pharma with drug leads for their product pipeline. But life sciences companies also partner to a great extent with other life sciences companies, universities and research institutes. Important reasons for companies to partner are to perform R&D together and to use complementary technology. However, reasons for partnering might as well be to shorten time-to-market, to access funding, to access a market, to spread risks and costs or to monitor technological developments.
The Amsterdam BioMed Cluster organises Life Sciences Cafes, i.e. network meetings, four times a year giving partners in the Cluster the opportunity to collect knowledge, exchange experiences, meet new contacts and perhaps even acquire customers. Life sciences cafes are typically attended by 40-50 registrants and based on a topic of current interest to our partners. Cafes can be science based, e.g. bringing academic and commercial partners together. Academia can showcase what it can provide, and industry what it needs. But may also address relevant business topics, e.g. funding or innovation.
In addition we focus on facilitating partnering, collaborations and strategic alliances, e.g. via group participation at trade fairs. In 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, the Amsterdam BioMed Cluster, a mix of delegates from knowledge centres and businesses, got together to exhibit and partner at the global event for biotechnology in the United States, the Bio International Convention.
In May 2007 partners of the Amsterdam BioMed Cluster together exhibited at Netherlands’ largest life sciences career and business event, the BioBusinessEvent, held in Amsterdam, and will do so again in 2008 and 2009. On 21 May 2008, the fourth edition of the Bio Career Event took place in the Amsterdam RAI, the Netherlands. In only a few years the event has become the largest meeting place for all those that work or want to work in the Life Sciences in the Benelux.
The Amsterdam BioMed Cluster co-hosted BioEquity Europe 2008, that was held in May 2008 in Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam Cluster has well-established relationships with other bio regions, such as Leiden (Life meets science), Utrecht (BioPlaza) and Flevoland (Flevoland MedTech).
In addition, the Amsterdam BioMed Cluster works closely with the City of Amsterdam/ Amsterdam Foreign Investment Office as well as the Netherlands Foreign Investment Office to create maximum partnering opportunities for companies within the Amsterdam area. Considered the life sciences expert in the region, we assist in hosting high profile delegations from abroad and advise in trade missions.
If you have suggestions for bio partnering exchanges, for key sub-sectors, for leading researchers from knowledge institutes to present their flagship research with potential for application within a commercial life sciences environment, we would like to hear of them. Please contact info[at]amsterdambiomed.com for any proposals you may have.
Please check the Events for activities planned.
Matchmaking
We received the following questions for your kind consideration:
- Biocentrum, an on pharmaceutical industry focused CRO in Poland, and its sister company Selvita are looking for companies that want to outsource their pre-clinical research in Poland.
- In relation to preparations for the Shanghai World Expo 2010 we would very much like to get into contact with regional life sciences companies/ organisations that are or have an interest in doing life sciences business in China.
- Which Dutch Life Sciences company wants to collaborate with partners of the Blue Cluster (Pays de la Loire, France)?
- Which Dutch Life Sciences company is interested in collaboration and joint ventures for mutual benefits in Malaysia?
- Which Dutch pharmaceutical companies and distributors are interested in technical cooperation and license agreement with the Korean company Medvill Co.?
- Which Dutch company is interested in cooperation with, sales marketing and hosting of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Kowa?
