Technology transfer

A key benefit of Leiden Bio Science Park is its ability to commercialize biomedical knowledge. The park has a strategy for identifying the most promising research findings at its knowledge institutions and strongly encourages commercial development, by seeking suitable business partners, arranging financial and legal support, etc.

Made in Leiden
Life sciences research in Leiden, academic and industrial, has already yielded a number of new technologies and products. These discoveries have often sprung from cooperation with other groups based outside of Leiden. The following examples of products ‘Made in Leiden’ illustrate the park’s commercial potential:
 

• Factor-V Leiden, the most prevalent genetic risk factor for venous thrombosis, was discovered at the LUMC in 1994
• Remicade®, produced by Centocor, is a new type of monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of auto-immune diseases. The drug is already on the market for rheumatoid arthritis, and its suitability for other indications is being investigated worldwide. 
• Quinvaxem™, produced by Crucell, is a vaccine used for protection against five important childhood diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b, one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in children. It is the first liquid vaccine available globally to contain all five of the above antigens, making it particularly user- and patient-friendly. 
• The company Prosensa and the LUMC are currently carrying out research on a treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: this potential genetic therapy will be developed as far as phase II clinical trials (proof-of-principle). 
• The company OctoPlus has five products in development. Their lead product candidate, Locteron™, indicated for chronic hepatitis C, is a novel interferon alpha combined with proprietary drug delivery technology. It requires less frequent administration and causes fewer side effects than marketed forms of interferon alpha which are the current standard of care for this illness. 
• DNAge, a full subsidiary of the company Pharming, develops novel therapeutics and biomarkers for ageing related disorders. Their current research focus is on a therapy for Cockayne Syndrome (“CS”) a relatively rare disease in which people suffer from an accelerated ageing process.