Dutch biotech rising in world rankings

The Dutch ‘red’ biotech sector, which concerns the application of biotechnology in the healthcare sector, is rising higher in the international rankings of the top clusters. A large number of companies in the Netherlands are active in this sector and the number of private investments by venture capitalists are increasing. However, it is still a long journey before the Dutch sector truly finds itself among the best. Business expertise still needs to increase and mutual cooperation intensify. This is one of the key messages of the Biotech Outlook 2010, presented today by the Life Sciences & Health Innovation Program and Nyenrode Business University.

The output was based on the number of products, combined turnover, number of companies active within the sector, the employment opportunities the sector generates, public and private investments. When looking at the number of companies, the Netherlands ranks above average. Dutch performance on the other criteria was, however, below average. The Netherlands scores particularly low in the number of products and turnover. The Boston/Massachusetts cluster is the worldwide champion.

The Biotech Outlook also gives a clear signal to politicians: longer-term vision and increased consistency are helpful to the sector, as these are required for the often long-term development processes inherent to the sector. Especially important is attention to the later stages of the product development process. ‘Industry is already investing in these, and the Netherlands has demonstrated the most rapid growth in private investments, showing that there is indeed confidence, understanding and belief in the sector. All that is required now is that politicians close up the ranks.’
Compared with 2007, the Dutch ‘red’ biotech sector has shown tremendous growth. In 2008, the number of private investments made by venture capitalists in companies quoted on the stock exchange increased by no less than 21 percent. According to LSH and Nyenrode this is particularly noteworthy, as the financial crisis resulted in investments worldwide decreasing by an average of 37 percent. The growth in the number of products (64%) and the number of companies (11%) in the Netherlands in 2008 was also above average.

Commissioned by the LSH Innovation Program, the Nyenrode Life Sciences & Healthcare Institute in cooperation with The Decision Group carries out annual research into the position of the Dutch life sciences and health cluster in comparison with the international leaders. The performance and progress in six different fields are considered: number of products, turnover, number of companies, employment opportunities, public and private investments. The production of this Outlook constitutes part of an on-going research program into the performance and progress of the Dutch ‘red’ biotech sector as a result of intended strategic policy. The seven clusters that the Netherlands was compared to are the Boston region, the San Diego region, the Research Triangle Park (USA) region, Great Britain, Switzerland, Medicon Valley (Sweden and Denmark) and the Munich region.

Adapted from Source: Life Sciences & Health

The report can be downloaded from www.biotechoutlook2010.com