Visit from EU delegation

European Commission Delegation Visits Johnson & Johnson at Leiden Bio Science Park

This month, Leiden Bio Science Park had the honour of welcoming a delegation from the European Commission for a visit. The event was coordinated by our Business Developer, Amoy Anderson, MHA, and team, with a focus on the impact of international trade on the Life Sciences & Health sectors in today’s evolving landscape.

The morning began with a warm welcome from Wietske Veltman, Alderman for Economy, Knowledge, Health, and Sports (Gemeente Leiden), followed by an insightful presentation from Esther Peters, Director of Leiden Bio Science Park.

The agenda featured key voices from the life sciences ecosystem:

• Anneke Sanders, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Jan de Sonneville, Life Science Methods
• Anouk De Vroey, Johnson & Johnson
• Prof. Thomas Hankemeier, Universiteit Leiden, who highlighted the Park’s academic strength and translational innovation

In the afternoon, the delegation joined a guided tour led by Rob van Overbeek (Kadans Science Partner), engaging with three pioneering companies:

• LeydenJar, driving battery innovation
• Meatable, transforming sustainable food production
• VarmX, developing life-saving solutions for bleeding disorders

At LBSP, we believe innovation grows through connection—and this visit was a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration across borders. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with European partners and sharing the cutting-edge work happening here in Leiden.