IvCB, Hollandbio, and the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), together with other international Chambers of Commerce and partners, invite you on the 29th of May 2026 for a sector event on the role of Biotech & Life Sciences innovation in strengthening the strategic and economic resilience of the Netherlands.

The geopolitical landscape has been in significant transition over the past couple of years. Where the COVID-19 crisis made it clear that the Netherlands is dependent on international supply chains during a time of a global crisis, current trends have implications with regards to our dependency on supply chains worldwide for the longer term.

In Europe, there are already successful examples of how to stimulate innovation so why should we reinvent the wheel when we can learn from our European allies? And how do we translate our findings into concrete action in the Netherlands? Join us as we explore European best practices and their implications for strengthening Biotech & Life Science innovation and future earning capacity in the Netherlands.

Programme

08:45 – 09:15
Walk-in & registration

09:15 – 09:40
Opening by moderator Ida Haisma, Esther Peters and Rob van Overbeek

09:40 – 09:55
Keynote by Erwin Nijsse, DG, Ministry of Economic Affairs, invited

09:55 – 10:30
Panel 1: ‘Strategic autonomy’ in Biotech & Life Sciences – What does it mean?
Tom van der Lee, Progressief Nederland
Jurgen Kwik, CEO, Bilthoven Biologicals
Antoine Mialhe, EMEA Head LSH, FTI Consulting
Marcela Silvino, GM North Europe, Sanofi

10:30 – 10:55
Coffee break

10:55 – 11:10
Keynote by Hans Schikan, former Top Team Member, Top Sector LSH

11:10 – 11:45
Panel 2: Accelerating innovation through collaboration
Marc Vervuurt, D66
Nettie Buitelaar, Director, Biotech Booster
Esther Peters, Director, Leiden Bio Science Park
Björn Ursing, Project Manager LSH, Dutch Embassy in Stockholm
Martijn Bax, Country President NL, AstraZeneca

11:45 – 12:00
Keynote by Annemiek Verkamman, Managing Director, hollandbio

12:00 – 12:35
Panel 3: Investment, market access and long-term prosperity
Laurens Dassen, Volt
Ishaan Tewarie, Vice President, EQT Life Sciences
Annemiek Verkamman, Managing Director, hollandbio
Xander Koolman, Chair Health & Professor, VU
Sanne Groenemeijer, General Manager NL, Novo Nordisk

12:35
Lunch