On June 3, the Molecule 2 Business event brought together a vibrant mix of participants from the worlds of science, business, government, and education at Noviotech Campus in Gemeente Nijmegen. The central theme? Next-Level Collaboration – and how it fuels the future of drug discovery.

Keynote speaker Carmen van Vilsteren. Health~Holland plays as an architect and integrator. She highlighted how initiatives like Women’s Health and Organ-on-a-Chip are part of a broader, interconnected innovation landscape. Next-level collaboration is multi-layered. From strategic alliances to living labs, and from local to international partnerships – all types of collaboration are needed:

– Cross-functional teams
– Public-private (quadruple helix) partnerships
– Living labs and consortia
– Strategic alliances
– Regional, national, and international networks

Highlights from the breakout sessions and round table discussions included:

Pharma Delta emphasized the need for a strong public-private consortium with short communication lines, robust infrastructure, and a clear focus on human capital.

Municipalities of Gemeente Oss and Gemeente Nijmegen expressed a shared ambition: to create an online platform that connects the dots between regional initiatives and offers a clear roadmap for collaboration.

HAN University of Applied Sciences underlined the importance of preparing students for the full drug development lifecycle, from lab to patient.
Researchers discussed the need for broader awareness of the end-to-end process — including the final impact on patients.

The topic of drug repurposing and valorisation sparked lively discussion. The key takeaway? Always start with a viable business case — one that’s both accessible and sustainable. And don’t hesitate to seek advice early in the process.

And there was also a strong call to bring patients and investors more explicitly into the conversation in future sessions.

In summary:
Collaboration should serve a clear, shared goal. With intrinsic motivation, trust and a willingness to share knowledge as essential ingredients for success.

As one participant noted:
“Embrace the chaos – it’s where true innovation begins.”

Organisation: Briskr, Health Valley Netherlands, Pivot Park and SMB Life sciences. Powered by Health~Holland.