Utrecht, 13 October 2023 – Kadans Science Partner opened the brand new R&D innovation centre, Accelerator Utrecht, at the Utrecht Science Park. This state-of-the-art multi-tenant building will welcome not only leading biotechnology organisations but also scale-ups looking to accelerate their development.
Future Science Park
Thursday 12 October marked the festive opening of Accelerator Utrecht, where several prominent speakers shared their views on the future of the Utrecht Science Park and the possibilities of this new building. Among the speakers were Chiel van Dijen (Commercial/Managing Director Netherlands Kadans Science Partner), Jan van de Winkel (CEO Genmab), Jennifer Bath (CEO ImmunoPrecise), Bill Lundberg (CEO Merus), Margot van der Starre (Vice President of the Executive Board, Utrecht University), Ronald Venderbosch (Director Healthy Urban Living for Everyone, Municipality of Utrecht) and hosts Frédérique Arnold and Mark Wijsman.
Biotech innovation hub in Utrecht
Accelerator Utrecht offers a wide range of facilities, including laboratories, offices and shared facilities such as a spacious atrium, an auditorium and catering. The building is fully tailored to the specific needs of listed biotech companies that house: Genmab, Merus and ImmunoPrecise Antibodies. Like the adjacent Genmab R&D Centre, the building was designed by Dutch architectural firm cepezed. Accelerator Utrecht and Genmab R&D Center are physically connected by an aerial bridge. The design is inspired by the missions of Genmab and Merus, aimed at improving patients’ quality of life through innovative therapies, mainly by establishing valuable partnerships. Accelerator Utrecht acts as a unique hub within the innovative ecosystem of Utrecht Science Park. In addition, Accelerator Utrecht is also part of the Kadans international network, connecting innovative organisations in more than 25 science clusters in Europe.
The beating heart of Europe’s most competitive region, Utrecht Science Park, serves as a meeting place for business and academia to develop healthier, safer and more sustainable cities, both in the present and in the future. Here, more than 30,000 scientists and employees from leading medical centres, knowledge institutions and R&D organisations work intensively together. The focus is on developing and applying pioneering science and solutions in healthcare, life sciences and sustainability. There is also a strong connection with the more than 55,000 students who study here.
Encouraging collaboration
“The opening of Accelerator Utrecht marks a great milestone for the Utrecht Science Park,” said Johan van Gerven, Director & Head of Development Kadans Science Partner. “It is a wonderful development, and we are extremely proud to be able to make a valuable contribution to this vibrant ecosystem. In order to encourage optimal cooperation within the organisations, we have deliberately chosen flexible floor plans, allowing laboratories and offices of different sizes and locations to be created in consultation with the tenants. We enthusiastically look forward to the collaborations and partnerships resulting from this special development.”