Dutch Life Sciences Conference 2026

Thursday, 26 November 2026

1. 08:30 – 09:30

   Opening Registration Desk and Exhibition Area

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   Participant registration and access to the life sciences exhibition.

2. 09:30 – 10:35

   Plenary Opening Program

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   Opening remarks, a keynote on life sciences investment trends and the Venture Challenge Spring 2026 presentations and winner announcement.

   • Suzanne Spliethoff
   • Esther Peters
   • Felice Verduyn - van Weegen
   • Chrétien Herben
   • Dennis Beringer
   • Myron Best
   • Else Driehuis
   • Katarina Madunic
   • Tezontl Rosario
   • Mark ter Heide
3. 10:35 – 11:15

   Networking and Exhibition Break

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   Opportunity to visit exhibitors and meet conference participants.

4. 11:15 – 12:30

   1A - Startup Forum: Early-Stage

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   Seven early-stage life sciences startups pitch their healthcare innovations to a jury of experts and investors.

   • Nettie Buitelaar
5. 11:15 – 12:30

   1B - The Next Wave of Innovation and Investment in Oncology

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   Discussion of oncology platforms, radioligand therapies, next-generation immunotherapies, precision medicine and investment opportunities.

   • Jeroen Blokhuis
   • Shobhit Dhawan
   • Wigard Kloosterman
   • Ashley van Heteren
6. 11:15 – 12:30

   1C - Partnering & Business Development: Driving Innovation Through Strategic Collaboration

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   Industry experts examine licensing, strategic partnerships, dealmaking and international collaboration in biopharmaceutical development.

   • Peter Ketelaar
   • Celine Héchard
   • Arnoud Huisman
   • Anton Mat
7. 12:30 – 14:00

   Lunch and Networking

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   Networking lunch and exhibition visits.

8. 14:00 – 15:15

   2A - Startup Forum: Later-Stage

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   Seven later-stage life sciences startups present technologies approaching commercialization and market adoption.

   • Britta Driessen
9. 14:00 – 15:15

   2B - AI in Life Sciences: From Tools to Transformation

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   Discussion of practical AI adoption, data security, governance frameworks, platform selection and organizational readiness in life sciences.

   • Arunava Ghosh
   • Daria Kozlova
   • Kinga Matula
10. 14:00 – 15:15

    2C - Neurodegenerative Diseases: Innovations, Investments and Clinical Results

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    Exploration of emerging treatments, clinical research and investment trends in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ALS.

    • Carine van den Brink
11. 15:15 – 16:00

    Networking and Exhibition Break

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    Scheduled break for networking and visiting exhibitors.

12. 16:00 – 17:00

    Plenary Closing Program

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    Announcement and pitches of the early-stage and later-stage Startup Forum winners, followed by the keynote Eat Less, Need More: GLP-1 and the Rebuilding of the Food System.

    • Suzanne Spliethoff
    • Gali Artzi
13. 17:00 – 18:30

    Networking Reception

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    Closing drinks, networking and exhibition visits.