Netherlands Could Become Europe's Biotech Capital, But Funding Gaps Hold Back Innovation
Amsterdam, Friday, 13 March 2026.
Marc van Voorst tot Voorst argues the Netherlands has untapped potential to lead European biotechnology, despite already hosting three of Europe’s top biotech investors. The compelling opportunity emerges as European startups increasingly relocate to America for better funding access, while US pension funds invest up to 100 times more in venture capital than their European counterparts. This funding disparity forces promising biotech companies to seek American investment, inadvertently allowing the US to finance European innovation while capturing the economic benefits. With the EU’s new Biotech Act providing regulatory momentum, van Voorst tot Voorst emphasizes that strategic political decisions and increased pension fund participation in venture capital could transform the Netherlands into Europe’s premier biotech hub, leveraging existing strengths in universities, research facilities, and skilled workforce.
Strategic Vision Emerges from EU Policy Framework
Marc van Voorst tot Voorst, Head of Public Affairs at Forbion, articulates his vision against the backdrop of significant European policy developments [1]. The European Commission presented the EU Biotech Act in December 2025, a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and consolidate its position as a global leader in biotechnology [1][3]. This legislative initiative recognizes biotechnology as crucial not only for developing new treatments and vaccines but also for driving substantial economic growth and employment across the continent [1][3]. The timing coincides with a separate report released in December 2025 by former ASML CEO Peter Wennink, which emphasized biotech and life sciences as core strategic sectors for the Netherlands [1][3].
Existing Strengths Position Netherlands for Leadership
The Netherlands already possesses substantial advantages in the biotech ecosystem, hosting three of Europe’s leading biotech investors [1][3]. The country’s infrastructure includes top-tier universities, advanced R&D facilities, established venture capitalists, a highly skilled workforce, and innovative urban centers [1][3]. However, despite these foundational strengths, capital raising remains challenging for biotech startups, particularly for smaller funding rounds [1]. This funding bottleneck occurs even as the Netherlands maintains its position as a significant player in European biotech investment, highlighting the disconnect between existing investor presence and accessible capital for emerging companies.
Funding Disparities Drive Talent Migration
A critical challenge facing European biotech innovation stems from significant funding disparities between continents. US pension funds invest up to 100 times more in venture capital than their European counterparts [1]. This massive investment gap creates a compelling incentive for European startups to relocate to America, where higher prices for new medicines and faster investment returns provide better access to capital [1][3]. The migration pattern creates a problematic cycle: new medicines are typically introduced first in the US market due to these financial advantages, which means American investors indirectly finance European biotech innovation while capturing the economic benefits [1][3]. This trend increases European dependence on both China and the US, undermining the continent’s strategic autonomy in biotechnology [1][3].
Four-Pillar Strategy for Dutch Biotech Dominance
Van Voorst tot Voorst outlines a comprehensive four-pillar approach to establish Dutch biotech leadership. First, the Netherlands must invest significantly in talent development through reskilling existing workers and attracting international researchers [1][3]. Second, infrastructure development requires building specialized laboratory spaces, expanding clinical testing capacity, and establishing flexible production facilities [1][3]. Third, regulatory acceleration and harmonization should create a single point of contact for biotech companies, establish regulatory testing environments, and foster early collaboration between companies and regulators [1][3]. Finally, the country must shift its focus from purely price-based evaluations to recognizing the broader value of innovative medicines, considering their contributions to improved life expectancy and cancer survival rates [1][3]. Currently, the Netherlands delays medicine adoption until patents expire, resulting in lower life expectancy and poorer cancer survival rates compared to countries with faster adoption policies [1]. Van Voorst tot Voorst emphasizes that encouraging pension funds and insurers to increase venture capital investments could enable Dutch startups to secure necessary financing domestically [1][3]. As he states, “The Netherlands can become the biotech hub of Europe, but that requires political choices. Now is the time to make them” [1]. He characterizes biotech not as a peripheral concern but as “a strategic pillar for health, prosperity, and autonomy” as of March 12, 2026 [1].