In 2003, the Dutch Life Sciences sector showed a substantial growth rate achieving 10% more turnover than in 2002, and creating a 7% increase in employment (as reported in ‘Moving Forward’, the latest Dutch Life Sciences sector report for 2004). The development of Life Sciences is considered a key step towards a sustainable society and a flourishing economy.
The Netherlands is one of the most popular European investment destinations, and is home to around 5,100 non-Dutch companies. The business advantages that have attracted European headquarters, R&D facilities, manufacturing operations, logistics facilities, and customer care centers to Dutch shores are also equally attractive to biotechnology companies. The Dutch government is highly supportive of the Life Sciences sector, and has established large subsidy funds to support new Life Sciences initiatives.
Amsterdam has one of the highest concentrations of Life Sciences in the Netherlands, including two universities with academic hospitals, many additional research institutes, and a specialized cancer hospital and research center. There are over 6,000 students in Life Sciences and medicine, taking bachelors, master’s, MD, and PhD degrees. The city has over 15 Life Sciences research centers and more than 60 Life Sciences companies have already chosen to set up office in Amsterdam.
The Life Sciences business in Amsterdam currently employs around 3,500 people. Such businesses were attracted by the excellent location advantages for establishing Life Sciences companies in the Netherlands in general, and Amsterdam in particular. In Amsterdam the Life Sciences sector receives extra special attention.
Ten reasons for Life Sciences companies to come to Amsterdam
| 1 |
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fast approval processes for clinical research |
| 2 |
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fast patent proceedings |
| 3 |
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extensive knowledge/access to knowledge |
| 4 |
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professional and well-educated workforce |
| 5 |
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access to large numbers of patients |
| 6 |
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favourable tax system |
| 7 |
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availability of venture capital |
| 8 |
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top-class technical infrastructure |
| 9 |
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highly effective patent protection enforcement mechanisms |
| 10 |
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quality of life |
