Celebrating the Dutch biotech ecosystem in Amersfoort: “The era of biotech has just begun.”

On a snowy Thursday afternoon, last week in in Amersfoort, over 300 members of the Dutch biotech ecosystem gathered at Theatre Flint for the hollandbio Year Event. Familiar faces and new connections came together for a day of networking, inspiring talks and insights about the state of play and future of biotech.

The event opened with a clear message from hollandbio managing director Annemiek Verkamman: the biotech sector needs to keep on building trust.

For a sector built on science and evidence, it is tempting to believe that facts alone should be enough. That was already not the case, but even more so in a world full of misinformation, polarisation and slow decision-making. Before facts, there must be trust.

Trust in biotech companies.
Trust that innovation benefits society.
Trust that investing in biotech is not a risk, but a responsibility.

With enough trust in the people in and in the potential and power of biotech, difficult but necessary choices would follow: faster regulation, more room for entrepreneurship, acceptance of risk, and real transitions in healthcare, agrifood and sustainability.

That is where hollandbio continues to play its role: connecting the ecosystem, building trust, and helping create the conditions in which biotech can flourish.

A global sector under pressure but full of potential

In his keynote, Niels Emmerich (CEO of AbbVie) offered a candid perspective on today’s global innovation landscape. With the US as the largest market, China rapidly accelerating development, and Europe in transition, competitiveness increasingly depends on speed, scale and collaboration. Clinical trials running significantly faster elsewhere are not just a statistic; they influence where investment decisions are made and how quickly patients gain access to new therapies.

His message resonated widely: a strong and predictable investment climate, combined with effective public-private partnerships, is essential for both start-ups and established companies to thrive. Innovation only matters when it reaches patients, and that requires alignment across industry, academia, healthcare and government.

From breakthrough ideas to real-world impact

That need for alignment returned throughout the programme. Michael Newton (CEO of Qorium) inspired the audience with the story behind animal-free leather, showing how biology can open up entirely new industries. At the same time, his message was pragmatic: without regulatory clarity, partners and shared commitment, even the most promising innovations will struggle to scale.

After the keynotes, our special guest Greg Shapiro (aka the American Netherlander) took the stage and connected geopolitics to everyday business decisions and what it means to be Dutch.

Thank you to everyone who joined, contributed and helped make this Year Event one to remember. And of course, a special thanks to Thibault Krommenhoek for closing the day with positive vibes with his phenomenal DJ set!