Dutch Biotech was buzzing in Boston
Orange was the color of innovation last week in Boston, as Dutch biotech made waves at BIO 2025. Over 20.000 innovators, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe gathered on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to work on a better future for people, animals, and the planet. And at the heart of it, we were proud to represent and connect with the vibrant Dutch biotech ecosystem together with colleagues from Health~Holland and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). Besides more than 100 Dutch delegates from 70 different biotech companies, this year we were joined by special guests from the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs, and Health, Welfare and Sport — a strong signal of the Netherlands’ commitment to global biotech leadership. Together we explored how The Netherlands can turn its biotech ambitions into bold and actionable leadership.
We kicked off the week with a buzzing Dutch welcome reception on Sunday evening at local beer brewery Trillium’s Fort Point taproom. During this special Boston edition of our ‘Hollandbio komt naar je toer’ event series, the Dutch delegation had the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and share ambitions, setting the tone for the exciting week ahead.
From Monday to Thursday, a steady stream of curious visitors from all over the world stopped by the Dutch Pavilion to connect, energize and discover what makes the Netherlands a true biotech hotspot. The absolute highlight? Our Dutch Networking Reception on Tuesday evening, complete with the much-anticipated bike raffle. After an inspiring speech by Sipko Mülder, Management Team member of Pharmaceutical products and Medical technology at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, he and Annemiek Verkamman took the stage to announce the lucky winner: Pardis Saffari, Director of Economic Opportunity & Development at the City of Cambridge. Huge thanks to Loyens & Loeff for sponsoring the bike. We hope to spot it cruising through Boston next time we visit!
Meanwhile, the Dutch ministry representatives crisscrossed the city — by bike and by cab — to meet with key players in Boston’s biotech ecosystem. From strategy sessions at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to deep dives at the Broad Institute and Cambridge Innovation Center, they gathered valuable insights on how to translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. At the BIO itself, they met with members of the European Commission currently working on the EU Biotech Act for an additional European perspective. And Jeroen Heijs, Deputy Director of Innovation and Knowledge at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, participated in a panel discussion hosted by the European Innovation Council on how collaboration works in today’s biotech pipeline. We’re sure these countless meetings and inspiring activities help the policy makers to further shape and sharpen the Dutch biotech vision.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in Boston — your energy, ideas, and ambition made this another unforgettable BIO. We’re already looking forward to continuing the momentum at BIO Europe Vienna in November, BIO Europe Spring Lisbon in March or the BIO US San Diego in June next year. Until then, keep innovating!
