In the region

The Delft-Leiden-Rotterdam region contains a remarkable and unique concentration of healthcare centres, technological and scientific expertise and industrial activities. The biomedical industries in the area (employing over 12,000 people and spending over 5 billion euro every year), the concentration of universities and a population of 3.5 million (10 million within an hour’s drive) make this part of the Netherlands a vibrant centre for the health and life sciences. It has the highest concentration of life science activities in the Netherlands and boasts one of the best-educated labour forces in Europe.

In the area circa 600 companies are active in medical technology and life science of which 65 are concentrated at the Leiden Biosciencepark. In Rotterdam, Leiden and Delft incubators exist close to the universities that hosted over 40 medical technology related start-ups within the last 3 years. The Medical Delta institutes fuel many joint professorships and joint educational programs at BSc-PhD level in life sciences, biomechanical engineering, molecular sciences, entrepreneurship etc. In last 3 years the Medical Delta institutes started around 30 Million Euro worth of extra projects with industry and TU Delft chose Health as one of its main focus areas for the coming decades.

Background Medical Delta

The TU Delft has high ambitions in contributing to societal healthcare challenges and focuses therefore at the development of medical technology. In order to make a true impact in the field of health technology it is vital to incorporate strong allies in the research & development chain such as professionals from medical faculties and industry. Therefore the TU Delft initiated and coordinates the activity which is now called Medical Delta. The people involved in managing Delft Health Initiative are also involved in the daily management of Medical Delta. 

Medical Delta is a consortium of excellent universities, medical schools business parks, incubators, companies and regional government situated in the West of the Netherlands. In this economically most important and dense populated area of the Netherlands the Delft University of Technology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Erasmus University, Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center started a cooperation in 2006 focussed at medical technology research and implementation.

The rationale for fortifying the existing modest cooperation was the believe that with these top institutes within such a  small area (15  km radius) and complementary strengths the institutes can make a difference in healthcare for the public as well as in economical impact for the Netherlands and Europe. All five knowledge institutes rank among the highest of their peer institutes world wide and especially by focussing in certain medical technology areas a world leading position can be claimed.

The consortium realized that besides the firm knowledge basis also the integration with other stakeholders such as companies, business parks and the local government was of the highest importance in order to realize an exiting and attractive medical technology cluster (the Triple Helix rationale). Therefore many joint activities, integration instruments and cooperation agreements have been initiated within the Medical Delta. This Region of Knowledge proposal adds another chapter to the Medical Delta activities and is an important step towards joint international integration of our activities. We intend to stimulate strongly joint research, business opportunities and entrepreneurial awareness with the other regions.

AIMS

Medical Delta’s goal is to develop and implement new technology for a more personalized healthcare approach, one which contributes to effective treatment, quick recovery, or the prevention of disease manifestation. These ambitions are to be realized in partnership with a range of organizations from industry and the social sector, spanning the development chain from patient need to healthcare product or service. Synergy between beyond-state-of-the-art technology and the full healthcare chain is at the heart of our consortium.

Based upon the existing strengths Medical Delta chose to focus its activities around three technology platforms that will contribute to the before mentioned ambitions, being

• Imaging and image guided medicine
• Interventions and Care
• Targeted Molecular Technology

Furthermore we believe that integration of science, business, education at different levels, user feedback, attracting talent, funding, investments etc. is vital for enduring innovation within a region and therefore we pay much attention to community building and effective communication between the stakeholders.

Unique Selling Points

• Unique concentration of complementary (technology and medical application) knowledge in Medical Technology, especially in imaging, interventions and molecular technology.
• The integrated approach of science, business, education, government, investors, evaluation (cohort studies, health economics) leading to more effective innovation in quality of life.
• A dense concentration of unique research infrastructure (state-of-the-art nanotechnology cleanrooms, reactor institute, high end TEM, SPM and optical microscope facilities for biology, 7 Tesla MRI etc.) and around 12.000 Medical Technology related BSc + MSc students and another 2300 PhD students.
• A strong business basis, especially at Science Port Holland and the renowned Leiden Science park (in Top 5 of Europe bioscienceparks). 
• The Dutch open economy and culture, facilitating healthy international cooperation and business.

Challenges

• As mentioned above the Medical Delta partners intend to contribute to societal health challenges (to fight the major diseases such as heart, cancer, brain / neuro) by developing new technology platforms in the areas of imaging, interventions and care and molecular technology.
• In order to transfer knowledge into new products and services Medical Delta intends to stimulate entrepreneurial awareness among its students and attract entrepreneurs to its region. An obvious need exist for more entrepreneurs to build business out of the created scientific results and know how.
• The integration of stakeholders among the knowledge chain is a clear challenge that can still be much improved. Especially within the care sector innovation can thus be improved.
• Within the health sector a strong need for investors in al phases of the development chain is always present and currently Medical Delta experiences the lack of sufficient funds as a hurdle for all inventions to grow into mature companies.