Tackling today’s complex health problems

Dutch biomedical research is renowned worldwide. The Netherlands excels especially in molecular biology research. Numerous academic groups within many clinical areas – including cardiovascular diseases, oncology and infectious diseases – study genetic origins and molecular mechanisms of disease onset and progression.



Add to that the high level of genetic and molecular epidemiology and biostatistics research, and the country’s rich collections of patient samples and medical databanks, and it is clear that the Netherlands is perfectly geared towards tackling today’s complex healthcare problems.

Shortening time-to-market

Biovec LLC is a Chicago-based company focused on developing new gene therapy products. The company has established a joint venture with the University of Groningen Holding Company in the Netherlands to conduct clinical research aimed at a viral vector delivery vehicle to be used in coronary by-pass surgery. According to David Wolf, Biovec’s chief operating officer. “It is often less cumbersome to obtain regulatory approval in the EU. As a result, you can normally get a product to market with approval faster in Europe than in the US. Especially when you’re only spending money, the time required for clinical development can either make or break a company.” Biovec chose the Netherlands, and more specifically Groningen, for the availability of English-speaking researchers and Groningen University Hospital’s expertise in cardiovascular therapy and bypass surgery.