Celebrate the power of biotech at the Dutch Biotech Event!

The Dutch Biotech Event is an annual gathering for our members, invitees, and anyone passionate about biotech and entrepreneurship. The program features keynote speakers who bridge the worlds of life sciences and entrepreneurship with inspiring talks, as well as interactive workshops and breakout sessions designed to support entrepreneurs and their businesses. The event concludes with networking drinks and a BBQ, providing a relaxed setting to connect and collaborate.

Practical information

Date: Friday, June 27th, 2025
Time: 12.45 pm – 8:00 pm, including drinks and BBQ
Venue: InnStyle, Herenweg 55 Maarssen

Programme

12:45 – 13:30 Registration, coffee & tea

13:30 – 13:45 Welcome by Annemiek Verkamman (hollandbio)

13:45 – 13:55 Announcement Venture Challenge Winner

13:55 – 14:30 Keynote 1: Dr. Jan Smeitink, CEO Khondrion

14:30 – 14:40 Announcement BioBusiness Masterclass Winner

14:45 – 15:20 Keynote 2: Katelijne Bekers, CEO Microharvest

15:20 – 16:00 Networking break

16:00 – 17:00 Break-out sessions

17:00 – 20:00 Networking drinks and a BBQ

Who can join the Dutch Biotech Event?

The Dutch Biotech Event welcomes Hollandbio members (registration is free of charge) and employees of other biotech R&D companies (registration fee €395,—p.p.), with a maximum of 3 delegates per organization.

We invite non-member startups to consider a hollandbio membership, which offers many more advantages besides access to the network and events.

If you have any questions, please contact hollandbio’s Max (max.vandenberg@hollandbio.nl) to learn more about your options for attending the event.

Registration

Registration for the Dutch Biotech Event is now open! Get your tickets here.

Dr. Jan Smeitink, CEO

Prof. Dr. Jan Smeitink is the founder and CEO of Khondrion, a phase 3-ready biopharmaceutical company pioneering treatments for primary mitochondrial diseases. Under his leadership, Khondrion has successfully completed four clinical trials and is advancing its lead asset sonlicromanol, toward a pivotal phase 3 study, with the first patient expected in H2 2025.

Leveraging Jan’s extensive global network of clinical centers and patient organizations, Khondrion has secured streamlined trial execution and broad patient access. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver first-in-class therapies, addressing a significant unmet medical need with strong potential for market adoption.

With over 25 years of experience in mitochondrial medicine, Jan has secured substantial funding and built strategic partnerships with a broad variety of stakeholders. He has authored more than 425 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as NEJM, Science, Nature Genetics, and Cell Metabolism, and has led several major international research programs.

Jan’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Prinses Beatrix Foundation Jubilee Award, an adjunct professorship at the Karolinska Institute, an Honorary Membership of the Paediatric Neurology Association of Hong Kong and a knighthood in the Order of the Dutch Lion.

Katelijne Bekers, CEO

Katelijne founded MicroHarvest because she had a clear vision for the future of the agri-food supply chain and an intrinsic drive to change the world for the better. As CEO, her dual background in science and business has allowed her to focus on tackling the challenges of the scaling of biotechnological processes and has resulted in an award-winning company, recognised as a pioneer in building a resilient food system for tomorrow by BloombergNEF.

Break-out sessions

Culture counts: How to build a biotech people want to work for

What makes a biotech company not just successful, but also a place where people want to stay and thrive? In this session, biotech leaders at various growth stages—from bold start-ups to scaled-up pioneers—share how they shape culture to attract talent, navigate growth, and keep the team vibe alive. Discover what really makes the difference!

Biotech financing trends: Does the winner take it all?

What are the current financing trends in the biotech investment landscape? The Dutch life sciences sector sees a decline in new biotech company foundation, but an increase in the level of funding amounts raised by established biotech companies leading to a ‘winner takes all’-effect. Is this effect specifically occurring in the Netherlands or is it a global trend?

Unlocking Boardroom Brilliance. How to build an effective board:

What makes a board truly effective? Is it expertise, chemistry, diversity—or something else entirely?

Synergizing for success: how to profit from your collaborations?

We all know our collaborations aren’t always as easy or efficient as they could be. In this session we’ll discuss how you can make the most of a joint effort. If you want to go fast, go alone – if you want to go far, go together.

door Idalia Dlugosz