AI-Designed Proteins: A Game-Changer for Dutch Innovation
Amsterdam, Friday, 3 October 2025.
Jelle Prins of Cradle argues AI-designed proteins can revolutionize medicine and combat climate change, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and ‘moonshot’ initiatives in the Netherlands.
The Role of AI in Protein Design
Cradle, a Dutch startup based in Amsterdam, is at the forefront of utilizing artificial intelligence to design proteins, a breakthrough that could drastically alter the landscape of medicine and biotechnology. According to Jelle Prins, co-founder of Cradle, this innovation has the potential to cure diseases and significantly contribute to addressing climate change issues. By employing AI, Cradle can accelerate the research and development process by 10 to 12 times and reduce costs by 90%, thus exponentially increasing the opportunities for developing new medications [1].
Challenges and Opportunities in the Dutch Innovation Landscape
Despite the promising potential of AI-designed proteins, Prins highlights several challenges within the Dutch innovation ecosystem. High costs associated with establishing company structures and delays in banking processes pose significant hurdles. Furthermore, policy uncertainties, such as discussions around the Dutch 30% tax ruling for skilled migrants, add to the complexity of operating in the Netherlands. Prins argues that these factors make the entrepreneurial environment ‘like running through the mud,’ with everything being 10-20% more difficult [1].
The Strategic Shift Towards Biotechnology
Cradle’s strategic focus on biotechnology was a deliberate choice made in 2020, as Prins and his team recognized AI’s profound potential in biology. This decision aligns with a broader national strategy to enhance the Netherlands’ competitiveness in AI-driven biotechnology. Prins, along with MIT researcher Michiel Bakker, has proposed multiple measures to maintain this competitive edge, forming the basis for a national AI strategy commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs [1].
Implications for Sustainable Development
The application of AI-designed proteins extends beyond healthcare, offering solutions to climate change and pollution. This innovation not only aims to attract global talent to the Netherlands but also seeks to bolster local investment in sustainable technologies. Cradle’s vision includes the establishment of a National Agency for Disruptive Innovation, akin to the US DARPA, with a proposed budget of €200 million annually. This agency would focus on nurturing groundbreaking projects that could propel the Netherlands to the forefront of global innovation [1].