Looking back & ahead with the international team
2024 was a year of growth, innovation, and powerful collaborations. From strategic breakthroughs to successful international projects, together we achieved impressive results. In a series of articles, the teams at Health~Holland share their highlights of the year and look ahead to a promising 2025.
Within Health~Holland, various teams collaborate closely together: international, communication, finance, Human Capital, Public-Private Partnerships, secretariat, strategy, and valorization. By combining the expertise of each team, we work towards a shared goal: making the Netherlands healthier and more innovative.
Team international
Global challenges such as aging populations, shortages in healthcare personnel, affordability of healthcare, and disruptive health threats call for innovative solutions. The Dutch Life Sciences & Health (LSH) ecosystem plays a key role in improving healthcare, both within the Netherlands and globally. At the same time, collaborating with other countries offers opportunities to learn from their innovative approaches and leverage them to strengthen healthcare.
At the beginning of 2024, the international team, in collaboration with external partners, published the Health~Holland International Strategy 2024–2027. This strategy focuses on leveraging opportunities to enhance the global impact of the Dutch LSH ecosystem while enriching the national ecosystem with knowledge and insights from abroad.
What did we achieve this year?
Health~Holland's international recognition continues to grow, driven by our involvement in an increasing number of international activities that highlight the Dutch LSH ecosystem. In 2024, approximately 50 international LSH activities were organized, including trade, economic, and innovation missions, as well as various events and conferences.
Key Highlights:
- Deepened collaboration with Japan: Milestones included the debut of a Health~Holland pavilion at BIO Japan, a mission organized alongside the BIO, and preparations for the Expo 2025 in Osaka.
- Focus on Women’s Health: Highlighted by the innovation mission on Women’s Health to Boston.
- Developments in Swiss-Dutch Collaboration: In April, Health~Holland participated in an innovation mission to Switzerland, marking the start of the EUREKA CH-NL Call. This was followed by participation in the Swiss Biotech Days, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and the Netherlands, and a Swiss delegation visit to the Netherlands.
- Participation in BIO Conferences: Attending BIO conferences in both America and Europe.
- Presence at Nordic Life Science Days (NLSDays) in Gothenburg.
- Connecting medtech and healthcare companies at the MEDICA in Germany.
- Economic Mission to the UK: Highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Oncode Institute, Oncode Accelerator, and Cancer Research Horizons—the innovation branch of Cancer Research UK. This marks a significant step toward accelerating oncology innovation.
Looking ahead to 2025
In 2025, we will continue to strengthen our international connections and explore new opportunities. Our new colleague, Laura Windt, will take on a new role within the international team as Project Manager for Organ-on-Chip (OoC). In this role, she will foster partnerships with (inter)national businesses and other stakeholders in the OoC field, contributing to enhancing the Netherlands' prominent role in this area for both economic and societal benefit.
The above mentioned highlights give just a snapshot of the international activities Health~Holland is involved in. Want to stay updated on all our activities? Follow the Health~Holland International LinkedIn page.
Thank you
Thank you for your support and involvement this year. We look forward to making 2025 even more successful together! This year has shown what can be achieved with vision, dedication, and collaboration. This success is not only due to our team but also to you, our partners. 2024 was a year to be proud of, and we eagerly anticipate an even more successful 2025.
(Articles below only available in Dutch)
Read more about the reflections and future plans of the communications team.
Read more about the reflections and future plans of PPS & financing.
Read more about the reflections and future plans of strategy & Human Capital.
Read more about the reflections and future plans of valorization.
