The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) announced that it is launching a venture-building programme in September to support entrepreneurs launching drug development startups.
The programme is designed to assist founders as they navigate the risks, costs, and regulatory demands of the sector. BOM aims to help these entrepreneurs build businesses that can have a significant impact on public health.
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According to a statement from BOM, developing a new drug for conditions like Alzheimer’s or epilepsy requires approximately 15 years and over a billion euros, with only a 4 per cent chance of success, even if the idea has strong support from the team.
Despite the challenges, some entrepreneurs pursue drug development, fully aware of the stakes and driven by the goal of bringing new treatments to patients. “They operate in a strictly regulated market. That’s logical: you have to demonstrate that your drug is safe and works better than what’s already available. That requires vision, patience, and a great deal of perseverance,” says Britta Driessen, venture developer at BOM.
As a venture developer, Driessen supports startups by guiding them through key steps, including strategy, team formation, product development, and investment preparation, helping turn ideas into functioning businesses.
A targeted support programme for startups
The Drug Discovery & Development Venture Building Programme, to be launched on September 10, is being developed by BOM in partnership with the province of North Brabant, 3D-PharmXchange, and Odgers.
The programme is designed to guide startups through key development stages so they can attract private investment. “They need to reach a strategic, financial, and operational point where private investors have confidence in them and are willing to invest,” says Driessen.
Sebijn Bunt, consultant leadership practice at Odgers, adds, “Investing early in the development of founders and management teams is essential for continued growth and good returns.”
According to Bunt, nearly 60 per cent of startups face setbacks during the growth phase, often due to internal team challenges. To address this, Odgers is bringing its expertise in leadership and team development to the programme.
Bunt emphasises that building strong management early on plays a key role in a startup’s ability to grow and deliver long-term returns. By focusing on both the business and people aspects of building a company, the programme hopes to increase the number of startups that successfully scale.
Accelerating drug development
Although general venture development support exists, the specific needs of drug discovery startups have remained largely unaddressed.
Britta Driessen of BOM explains that while BOM already runs venture development programs, the drug discovery field has unique challenges that require a tailored approach. The new Drug Discovery & Development Venture Building Programme is designed to meet those needs.
This initiative builds on earlier efforts like the Venture Challenge from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), but goes a step further. “We continue where such programs leave off,” adds Driessen.
The new programme targets not only drug developers but also entrepreneurs working on technologies that can speed up drug development. These include tools that enhance R&D efficiency, such as platforms for testing drug effectiveness, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which is playing a growing role in the field.
Aims to back 18 startups
The programme will officially launch on September 10 at the JADS Chapel in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Over four years, the initiative led by BOM and its partners aims to help at least 18 startups secure funding.
The programme will guide startups through several phases, including validation of innovations, clinical application, and the creation of a development and financing plan.
The objective is to support the development of effective medicines while increasing startup success rates through a sector-specific approach and collaboration with investors and experts.
A mentor network is also being set up to connect startups with experienced entrepreneurs. According to Britta Driessen, this peer support can offer insights that help founders navigate challenges and progress more effectively.
To learn more or participate, register for the launch event here.
The launch event
The programme will be launched on Wednesday, September 10, from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Attendees will hear from speakers in the biotech and venture capital sectors, meet the first group of ventures participating in the programme, and have the chance to network with others working in the field.
The event aims to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech transfer professionals to share information, explore opportunities, and connect. The programme also seeks to support the transition of scientific research into commercial ventures within the Netherlands.
