In the highly innovative and connected Dutch Life Sciences & Health ecosystem, U.S.-based NanoCell Therapeutics is advancing cell technology. Maurits Geerlings, NanoCell’s President & CEO, shares insight into the company’s journey to the Netherlands and the benefits of establishing itself here, and in particular at the Utrecht Science Park.
Innovating cell & gene therapy
NanoCell Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company, aims to revolutionize in vivo cell technology. The company is focused on developing a breakthrough non-viral, DNA-based gene therapy platform aimed at oncology and autoimmune diseases. Geerlings explains that they genetically instruct the immune system to recognize and attack cancer, all at a fraction of the usual cost.
Benefitting from cross-disciplinary collaboration in the Netherlands
Geerlings emphasizes that NanoCell chose to locate in the Netherlands’ biotechnology ecosystem because of the ease of collaboration between academic groups and the culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration. “The ease with which different academic groups work together is very attractive. That’s really in the culture here: people think beyond just their own interests and look broadly”, he said.
In addition, Geerlings praises the inviting business climate in the Netherlands and the support the country offers to U.S. companies seeking to establish themselves here. “Also in terms of business environment, the Netherlands is inviting. It asks: what can we as a country do and mean for an American company that wants to settle here? Introductions are done with all kinds of institutions when it comes to legislation, subsidies, labs, etc.”
The ideal hub for Europe
The decision to land in the Netherlands was the result of a thorough exploration of European cities. Geerlings explains, “I really looked all over Europe. I personally visited cities like Berlin, Milan, Leuven, Paris and Ghent and knocked on the doors of academic institutions there. We finally ended up in the Netherlands because I could foolishly find anything here.”
Specifically, NanoCell was looking for the ability to grow without entanglement with a university, economically sound IP ownership, and access to high-quality scientific personnel. The Netherlands was chosen because of its favorable business conditions, logistical advantages, as well as access to talent. Geerlings: “Access to talent has been very important here. That has been very easy in Utrecht: cross-disciplinary scientific personnel cannot be found just anywhere. There is really top quality here. The bulk of our team even comes from the city of Utrecht.”
Future growth in the Netherlands
NanoCell has already secured 12 employees and financing. The focus now is on growth and obtaining new lab space, with a desire to stay in the Netherlands, preferably at the Science Park. Geerlings emphasizes the practical advantages of this location, with everything within walking distance, and the need to maintain infrastructure in the event of further expansion.
“I would prefer to stay in Utrecht. Indeed, preferably in Science Park. Here everything is within walking distance: the Academic Hospital, Utrecht University. Actually, everything is here for day-to-day scientific activities, from which we benefit. If we could expand here, that would be my preference, then we would preserve this infrastructure.”
NanoCell Therapeutics embodies not only the potential of biotechnology, but also the attractive and enabling environment that the Netherlands offers to foreign companies striving for innovation and growth. Geerlings and NanoCell confidently look forward to a future in which they can have lasting impact, from their home base in the Netherlands.
Source: Utrecht Region
