Gehandschoende handen stoppen een sample onder de microscoop

Healthy human

From lab to life: a future without cancer

Utrecht Science Park is home to a unique combination of various public and private partners in the field of cancer research and care, all located within a square kilometre. Unravelling the complexity of cancer in both humans (children, adolescents and adults) and animals requires a multidisciplinary approach at all levels. Utrecht Science Park, with partners within walking distance, offers the ultimate and unique environment for new initiatives and extensive collaborations in the field of cancer research. These collaborations range from laboratory science to clinical research in humans and animals (and vice versa) and in the education and training of the next generation of scientists and clinicians. More than 1,200 cancer researchers from the Hubrecht Institute, the Princess Máxima Centre, UMC Utrecht and the faculties of Science and Veterinary Medicine share their knowledge and expertise to make an important contribution to a better understanding of the disease and to improve the outcomes for paediatric, adult and veterinary cancer patients. Six important research innovations have been selected based on the areas of expertise, scientific excellence and educational programmes for which cancer research at Utrecht Science Park is renowned:

Cartesius Utrecht Nicoya

Healthy environment

Neighborhoods that build on your health

It is one of the spearheads of the Utrecht region, Heart of Health: building together a world in which your neighborhood contributes optimally to your health. This includes elements such as vegetation and opportunities for movement, but also space for social interaction and a sense of community. These and other qualities are abundantly present in project development in the city of Utrecht and its surroundings.

Vrouw staat aarde te scheppen in een veld met groente

Healthy society

Pandemics mastered thanks to vaccines, fungi and cooperation

A key player in this mission is the pharmaceutical company Bilthoven Biologicals (BBio), based at Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven. BBio wants to protect as many people as possible against infectious diseases, all over the world. Their ambition is to make many vaccines at low prices, so that everyone has the chance to live without disease – also in developing countries. For example, the company is an expert in polio vaccines and is the exclusive European supplier of BCG, a drug for bladder cancer. During the corona pandemic, it became clear overnight how incredibly important it is to be able to obtain vaccines at short notice. BBio played a key role in this period: the European Commission selected the pharmaceutical company as one of the parties to produce vaccines as quickly as possible in crisis situations. Since then, the company has had an “ever warm facility”: a production line ready for use at all times. So should the need arise, BBio can immediately start producing vaccines.