Biotech boost(er) for life sciences innovations

Amsterdam researchers have secured Biotech Booster funding for a total of six projects, that include a promising cancer treatment, a new diagnostic method for Alzheimer’s Disease, an implant helping blindness, lab innovation in biotechnology, and a nutritional intervention for mental health. The researchers will develop a solid business case for their innovations in the time to come. Read more to find out which projects have secured funding.

New implant restoring vision – Céline Koster Amsterdam UMC

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the foremost cause of central vision impairment and blindness in the industrialized world. Céline Koster, and team, are developing a cell-based implant with the primary focus on treating AMD. The goal is to replace the deteriorated retinal tissue in the eyes of patients and subsequently restore their vision.

Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s Disease understanding – Betty Tijms and Pieter-Jelle Visser, Amsterdam UMC

Betty Tijms and Pieter-Jelle Visser, are developing MensDx, a new diagnostic method to classify patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Currently, all AD patients receive the same treatment. Betty Tijms and Pieter-Jelle Visser discovered that AD comprises at least 5 different patient subtypes, each with unique underlying pathological mechanisms. The team is working towards (future) directed and personalized treatments.

Advancing colorectal cancer treatment – Felix Paulussen, VU Amsterdam

Felix Paulussen is working on project Ninetac, a new treatment for colorectal cancer. Currently, surgery is the main treatment option, but Paulussen is developing a targeted therapy that focuses on the cancer’s underlying cause at the level of gene activation, which could provide a more potent and selective drug.

Scaling up laboratory evolution of microorganisms – Jeroen Koendjbiharie, VU Amsterdam

Jeroen Koendjbiharie, under the guidance of Herwig Bachmann, is leading Evoducta—a groundbreaking project focused on scaling up laboratory evolution of microorganisms, which play a crucial role in biotechnology and food industries.

Wellbeing and mental health through bolstering gut bacteria – Remco Kort, VU Amsterdam

Fleur van Eeden, part of Remco Kort’s microbiome researcher team, is developing the ‘Happy Bar’—a fermented oat bar containing bacteria that positively impact the gut microbiome and are specifically aimed at enhancing mental well-being.

Innovative biosensors for cancer diagnosis – Imran Avci, VU Amsterdam

Imran Avci and team will further develop new patented detection technology and new sensing concepts for detecting cancer, taking a significant step toward bringing innovative biosensors to market.

About Biotech Booster

The Biotech Booster programme has been awarded a grant of € 250M from the National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds), with the aim for better conversion of biotechnological knowledge into business. To carry out the programme, various knowledge institutes from all over the Netherland have worked over the past year to apply for the programme.

Website Biotech Booster