What is Holland Health?

Holland Health is an initiative to transform the North-West of Holland into a ‘Health Valley’. Holland Health is to become the dynamic regional motor of innovation, high quality education and employment in health care.

Holland Health gives an impulse to new cooperation between companies and knowledge institutes. Holland Health is the incubator in the Netherlands for innovative development that contributes to the improvement of health care. It paves the way for academics and students with international ambitions. This also attracts investors for start-ups and companies in need of growth capital

 

The Province of Noord-Holland and the City of Alkmaar provide the organisational support to facilitate the desired development. The main elements are currently in place: the office, centers for knowledge innovation, education and valorisation and support for entrepreneurs. The construction of the 'innovation factory' will take more time, although the site in the City of Alkmaar is almost finalized. 

Objective
The objective of developing the 'Health Valley' is to raise the innovative and knowledge intensive capacity of the region, while generating financial, technological or academic profit for all parties involved.

Parties involved

• Province of Noord-Holland
• City of Alkmaar
• Medical Center Alkmaar
• University of HINHolland (Hogeschool)
• Nuclear Research Group
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• H&S Adviesgroep
• Philips
• Deloitte
• Foreest Medical School,
• The Development Company NHN
• Chamber of Commerce North-West Holland
• Tromp Medical

 

Members of the parties involved are represented in the board.

How do we meet the objective?

At present, in our Innovation Center we have started the following Knowledge Centers:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Nanotechnology
• Trial Center
• Point of Care Diagnostics

 

Nuclear Medicine

The Nuclear Knowledge Center is working with the Nuclear Research Group (NRG) and the Medical Center Alkmaar on a Nuclear Academy and campus in order to use the unique knowledge and training facilities present in the region. The cooperation also stimulates the research of diagnosis and new treatments of cancer and heart disease with medical isotopes.

 

The new High Flux Reactor Pallas secures the future need of medical isotopes. In this unique project we work closely together to secure the funding and future of nuclear technology. The ambition of the Nuclear Academy is to attract students from all over the world.

 

Nanotechnology

The Knowledge Center Nanotechnology has formed a consortium with the University Hospital Maastricht, the Maxima hospital and the Medical Center Alkmaar, and is analyzing the current developments in nanotechnology in the medical field for their importance in the increasing demand for health care.

 

Trial Center

The Trial Center encourages pharmaceutical research to grow in the Netherlands. The Trial Center's aim is to support the efficiency and profitability of trials in several fields such as: acquisition, feasibility assessment, design/adaptation of research protocol, supervision, preparation, performance, statistical evaluation, budget management and customer relationship management.

 

Point of care diagnostics

The Knowledge Centre Point of Care Diagnostics is set up to develop diagnostic tests to support patients and physicians in such a way that diagnosis is easier, quicker and directly transferred to a care centre. The Centre's aim is to give patients the chance to remain at home longer with sufficient medical care, instead of being admitted in a hospital. For example: patients with longlasting diseases are monitored at home and get advice from a nurse practioner in a hospital using a webcam.

 

 

Financial resources

Holland Health is financed by the parties involved. The Knowledge Centres are financed by

Europe (European Regional Development Fund) through programmes like 'Opportunities for the West'. Knowledge institutions and companies are co-financing the Knowledge Centres. 

 

Monitoring and evaluation

 

Economic Significance

The economic significance of the shared development agenda is the increase of economic power through cooperation and coordination. The spin-off of the innovation incubator and the Knowledge Centres is major. Companies with international ambitions looking for a gateway to Europe can count on Holland Health and will be supported.

 

 

Opportunities for other parties

The development of the Health Valley is aimed at exploiting the economic potential of the special knowledge present in our area. The spin-off for new business is evident, since you can test and research your products and services in the innovation incubator with members of Holland Health. The infrastructure of the area is ideal for international companies looking to establish a gateway to Europe. The area and the City Alkmaar are also ready for students or promovendi from all over the world. With one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands, and cooperation with the Free University of Amsterdam, we have sufficient patients and scientists for studies and clinical trials. Initiatives like these reinforce the urban network. They have a national and international impact in line with the ambition of our area.

Relevant for you?
Interested in new opportunities? Please contact Frank Willenborg MBA, Project Manager Holland Health.

Mail: fwillenborg@hollandhealth.nl

Mobile: +31633817844