The Netherlands aims to have the strongest medical technology sector in Europe by 2035. It is making a total of 102.5 million euros available to achieve this goal. In addition, Invest-NL, together with institutional investors including pension funds, is making 150 million euros in private funding available. Philips had previously announced that it would invest 50 million euros.
The investments form part of the MedTech 2035 policy agenda. This agenda was developed by the business community, research institutions, investors and the healthcare sector in collaboration with Minister Heleen Herbert of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and Minister Sophie Hermans of Health, Welfare and Sport. The policy agenda is intended not only to contribute to a future-proof and resilient healthcare system, but also to strengthen the Netherlands’ earning capacity.
New generation of image-guided therapies
The investments are focused, amongst other things, on two initiatives:
- a new generation of image-guided therapies based on AI and robotics
- technology for the healthcare of the future
Image-guided therapies can help to organise healthcare more effectively and improve both diagnoses and treatments. The technology is relevant for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer and trauma, amongst others.
The Netherlands is already a strong player in this field thanks to its combination of science, high-tech manufacturing and healthcare. However, international competition from outside the European Union is increasing. Targeted investments in areas such as AI and robotics should help to maintain this position and make better use of it.
Hospital of the Future
Another initiative is the ‘Hospital of the Future’ project in Twente. This project focuses on innovations that can help prevent the need for care, organise care at home or remotely, and ease the workload of healthcare professionals.
The investments are intended to ensure that such innovations are approved and scaled up more quickly. In this way, the parties involved aim to apply solutions developed in Twente to other regions as well.
Collaboration within the sector
The MedTech 2035 policy agenda focuses on six priorities:
- national collaboration between ecosystems,
- data and AI infrastructure,
- technology implementation in healthcare,
- market access,
- funding,
- Talent and entrepreneurship.
A single MedTech ecosystem
The government aims to work with the sector to create a single MedTech ecosystem, in which start-ups, SMEs, research institutions, technical universities, healthcare organisations and large companies, amongst others, collaborate. In doing so, the government is focusing on strengthening the enabling conditions, such as appropriate legislation and regulations, the implementation of technology in the healthcare sector, and the availability of data infrastructure and AI.
Minister Heleen Herbert (Economic Affairs and Climate Policy): “Further improving healthcare is perhaps our most important societal challenge. Technological innovation can make a major contribution to this and also strengthens our own economy. The MedTech sector in the Netherlands is, in fact, a promising growth market. Moreover, medical technology provides solutions to keep our healthcare system sustainable. Think, for example, of tackling staff shortages and the growing demand for care due to an ageing population. That is why we are going to work together more effectively, enabling us to take major steps through public-private partnerships to realise this ambition.”
Minister Sophie Hermans (Health, Welfare and Sport): “Medical technology is indispensable for healthcare providers and patients. It offers solutions that help to detect, treat and sometimes even cure diseases. Technological innovation is also essential to keeping our healthcare system future-proof and resilient. With smart solutions – such as the use of AI or robotics – we can provide more care with the same number of healthcare professionals. Or ensure that healthcare professionals have more time to spend with their patients. The investments we are making now will help ensure that innovations find their way more effectively into the Dutch healthcare system.”
