“Innovation is in the DNA at Pivot Park Science Park, in Oss,” asserts Acerta Pharma CEO and Vice President of Research Europe Nico Stam. This is attested by the company’s success and growth in the Netherlands over the last decade.
Acerta Pharma develops medicines to combat cancer and other serious diseases. They focus on medicines that can target specific errors in cells, such as in blood cancer. This often makes their treatments more effective and less burdensome for patients than traditional chemotherapy. In 2024, Acerta Pharma opened their new 3,300 m² research facility in Oss, which will also serve as the central hematology research facility for AstraZeneca, the parent company of Acerta Pharma. This is important for developing new treatments and improving the quality of life of patients. In addition, it contributes to scientific research, provides employment and strengthens the earning capacity and international reputation of the Netherlands’ life sciences and health sector.
Early history
Acerta Pharma was founded by two Oss-based ex-Organon researchers, chemist Tjeerd Barf, and biologist Allard Kaptein, two Oss-based ex-Organon researchers. They licensed patents and a series of small compounds. Early investment from the Brabant Development Agency (BOM) and private investor BioGeneration Ventures provided a foundation for growth and expansion.
From relatively humble beginnings in 2013, in a small laboratory at Pivot Park in the Brabant Region, Acerta Pharma has become a driving force in hematology. It is today the European R&D Centre of the AstraZeneca Group. And an important player in hematology research in the Netherlands’ life sciences & health ecosystem.
Achieving impressive advancements and AstraZeneca partnership
“Acerta progressed their compound,” explains Stam, a seasoned professional with previous executive positions at Merck, Schering Plough, and Organon. “They showed very nice clinical data at a scientific conference in blood cancer, and that triggered a lot of interest from the pharma industry; ultimately, they met AstraZeneca, whose main focus is oncology, with a keen interest in blood cancer, hematology.” The rest, one might say, is history.
After evaluating potential alternative global locations and being impressed by the team, culture, and flexibility at the Oss site, AstraZeneca made a high-risk investment, acquiring 55 percent ownership of the company with an option on the remaining 45 percent. It appeared to be the perfect fit, and AstraZeneca purchased the remainder in 2021.
State-of-the-art facilities and expansion
“Everything went right from the start, but that’s not what you usually see,” asserts Stam. “It’s a challenging trajectory, and most companies fail. That is simply the reality.” Due to the significant growth of R&D activities in the Netherlands, in the spring of 2024, Acerta Pharma moved into its new custom-built 3,300 m² research center in Pivot Park, featuring state-of-the-art chemistry and bioscience laboratories. “Without AstraZeneca, we would not have had the money or the resources to move to this new building … and they believed it was a sensible investment in this small company,” Stam confides.
From an initial team of 20, seven of whom were contractors, the company has grown to 120 people, thirty to forty of whom are foreign nationals from as far afield as India and China. To ease their integration, Acerta Pharma developed its own expat program, amusingly titled ‘How to Survive the Dutch,’ which the rest of Pivot Park subsequently adopted. This reflects the open collaboration at Pivot Park and the Netherlands. “While it is not our core business, we are pleased to share it, and we happily play a role in attracting other companies to Pivot Park,” Stam confirms.
Positive impact on hematology and patient outcomes
The acquisition of Acerta Pharma allowed AstraZeneca to build out its hematology pipeline in the Netherlands and establish an operational base in Europe. At the same time, Acerta Pharma received the investment necessary to develop new compounds and leverage the AstraZeneca global network. This enables the rapid discovery and delivery of new treatments, resulting in better patient outcomes in the Netherlands and globally.
“We conduct global studies – all kinds of modalities, including cell therapy and small molecules. Everything is geared to ensuring that people receive better screening and treatment at an earlier stage of their disease,” Stam explains. “We want to intervene earlier and earlier, making sure people are less ill, reducing the burden on the health system while ensuring that healthcare is more sustainable.”
The internal AstraZeneca network is a rich global resource. However, Stam cites the life sciences & health network in the Netherlands as equally valuable, adding that the recent arrival of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Amsterdam has provided new focus and momentum. “We have not always participated intensively in the network over the last few years because we have been internally focused, but now we are reaching out again,” Stam explains. “We innovate for better patient outcomes, so treatment needs to be available, and we want it to be available for the right people. So, ensuring we have those conversations with regulatory bodies is also part of our work.”
Collaboration and network building in the Dutch ecosystem
“Our hematology leadership team has asked me to organize a large event at Oss to start building networks with the Amsterdam hematology network, which is more clinical. It has strong key opinion leaders, some of whom were involved in the clinical studies for our drug Acalabrutinib. We also want to increase interaction with the Dutch Cancer Institute at the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC). Recently, I visited the EMC with our head of Leukaemia from the US to set up a collaboration. What people like about it here is that it is all very close by; it’s different from the States where everything is widely spread.”
Guidance and support from Invest in Holland
Currently, more than 500 people work at AstraZeneca in the Netherlands across four locations in Oss, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Nijmegen, and Stam values the assistance and guidance provided by the Invest in Holland network. “Large companies have people in-house who know where to apply for approvals and how to maximize subsidies and incentives,” Stam highlights. “As a small company, we valued the free assistance provided by the NFIA and the Invest in Holland network in helping with aspects such as talent recruitment, subsidy applications, and general practical advice.”
