Seminar GROWTH across borders

We like to stimulate more cooperation between scale-ups in Life Sciences and Medtech out of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands by organising this event.

Entrepreneurs will share experiences and strengths of their region.
Why should I go across a border? What are the benefits?

Program

Chairman: Yves Slenter, Community Development Manager Brightlands Health Campus Maastricht

13.45 Reception with coffee, tea and ‘Limburgse vlaai’

14.15 Tour at the Bakken Research Center of Medtronic

Medtronic Bakken Research Center – powerhouse of innovation in Europe
Opening by Mark Lazeroms, Research Director Medtronic

Session 1: Strengths of the regions – why should I collaborate across borders?

How do you make business crossborders? Funding opportunities. Strength of the regions. Potential out of each region. USPs of region.

Sara Smeets, Business Liaison Manager Europe & USA POM Limburg

Why innovate in Diepenbeek?

Health Campus Limburg is an innovative ecosystem that fosters collaboration and research in the healthcare sector. Located in the Limburg region, the campus benefits from the area’s unique strengths, such as its strategic position at the crossroads of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, as well as its strong network of academic institutions, hospitals, and businesses. This makes Limburg an ideal hub for cross-border collaboration and international innovation.

Amel Tounsi, CEO Bridge 2 Health ( B2H)

Presentation of the Liège life Science Ecosystem: from Innovation to Investment

B2H aims to accelerate patient access to the most innovative therapies by making Liège’s life sciences ecosystem as efficient as possible. We have a central position in Europe, a complete and dynamic ecosystem of 140 companies, a campus that includes a full university, hospitals and the R&D/GMP facilities needed for successful growth and development. We sincerely believe that life sciences companies deserve the best structure, the best tools and the best partners to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow by developing next-generation products and innovative treatments and technologies for the well-being of patients.

Stephan Küppers, Director Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics & Analytics Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Region Aachen & Euregio – the place to grow a MedTech-Company

In the Aachen Region founders have started the first MedTech companies more than 25 years ago. Many of those companies have grown and formed an ecosystem with suppliers, consultants and experienced developers with competencies in various aspects from R&D to production and market experience. Many of these people are still around and some of them act as business angels of consultants themselves. The ecosystem in addition consists of two universities, a large Research Center and some competence centres of the Fraunhofer association. Today there is a complete ecosystem from incubation via acceleration to growth. Besides technical expertise there is also a local VC focussed on deep tech and if something is not available in Aachen, similar competences have been established across the borders in Belgium and the Netherlands, so if something might not be available in Aachen, there is a high probability that it is available across the borders.

Speaker out of The Netherlands

Break

Session 2: highlights i.e. infrastructure – where should I go across a border?

Focus on one relevant infrastructure from each partner that is available to the other region. Hands on, practice.

Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt, CEO Alpha Sophia

Go West — How European MedTech Startups and SMBs Can Leverage Data to Successfully Commercialize in the US

Entering the US healthcare market is a pivotal yet challenging step for European MedTech startups and SMBs. This presentation outlines how leveraging data-driven strategies can significantly enhance the chances of successful commercialization in the US. a highly competitive and complex environment. At Alpha Sophia, we have developed a cutting-edge commercial intelligence and engagement platform that empowers healthcare marketing and sales teams with powerful tools for success. With the right insights at hand, finding the right physicians, practices, and hospitals takes just minutes, while gaining a deep understanding of their unique attributes — ranging from specializations and procedure or prescription volumes to social media activities and research or clinical trial participation — becomes seamless.

Pascal Simoens, Business Development Manager, Basic Pharma

Basic Pharma (NL) and ARTES Biotechnology (D) join in a strategic Collaboration and Co Marketing Partnership for Pharmaceutical Recombinant Protein Production

Pascal will tell about this cooperation which got financial support of the BioMan4R2 project within the European SMP COSME program.

Peter Feys Vice-head REVAL Research, Professor Rehabilitation Sciences (Feys) and Yvette Kerkum, Business Developer REVAL Research (Kerkum) REVAL Research, Technologies & Services, Hasselt University

MOVElab: European’s comprehensive expertise hub for human movement and experience

Speaker out of Belgium Liège

Break 

Session 3: Why Did I go and why?

Examples / User cases (success/failures). Cases of SMEs having links with two regions or moving across

Kurt Gielen, Chief Business Officer Medace

Accelerating Clinical Manufacturing.

How Biomedical Bonding from Sweden swiftly set up their manufacturing at Medace’s Cleanroom Facility in Maastricht

In an exciting collaboration, Biomedical Bonding recently relocated three of their key personnel to Medace’s state-of-the-art cleanroom facility in Maastricht for a three-month period. This strategic move underscores the unique advantages offered by Medace’s cleanroom environment, which is specifically designed to support startups and innovative companies in the biomedical sector.
The relocation to Medace’s cleanroom was a game-changer for Biomedical Bonding. It allowed them to set up their clinical manufacturing processes swiftly and efficiently, without the significant financial burden typically associated with building and maintaining such facilities independently. This cost-effective solution enabled Biomedical Bonding to focus their resources on innovation and development, rather than infrastructure.
Moreover, Medace’s cleanroom facilities are not just about the physical space; they offer comprehensive support services, including regulatory guidance, quality assurance, and technical assistance. This holistic approach ensures that startups like Biomedical Bonding can navigate the complex landscape of clinical manufacturing with confidence and ease.

Kobe Leysen, CEO Extra Horizon

Building MedTech Innovations (FibriCheck and Extra Horizon)

Startups are hard and difficult. Being the co-founder of FibriCheck 10 years ago and Extra Horizon 2 year ago, has taught me some lessons in what’s needed to bring a MedTech innovation to the market. I’ll explain our journey, lessons learned and our approach towards doing business abroad.

Wim Vos, CEO radiomics.bio

A personal journey of a cross-boundary entrepreneur

Setting up and running companies in Flanders/Wallonia/The Netherlands

Speaker out of Germany

Conclusion of the Day

17.30 Drinks and snacks

18.30 Close

Registration is mandatory.