This June, the Texas–Netherlands BioBridge gained major momentum on Dutch soil. A high-level delegation from Texas Medical Center (TMC), the largest medical complex in the world, traveled to the Netherlands for HLTH Europe in Amsterdam. Their visit marked another milestone in the growing collaboration between the Dutch and Texan life sciences ecosystems.
TMC is home to over 20 hospitals, serves more than 10 million patients annually, and includes leading institutions such as:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center: a global leader in cancer care
- Texas Children’s Hospital: the largest pediatric hospital in the world
- Houston Methodist: a pioneer in clinical research and innovation
At the heart of TMC’s innovation efforts is the TMC Innovation Factory, a former cookie factory transformed into a cutting-edge hub for startups and scale-ups. The facility offers access to 120,000+ clinicians, accelerator programs, and clinical trial pathways, making it a unique launchpad for international health tech companies looking to enter the U.S. market.
Deepening Transatlantic Collaboration
During their visit, TMC executives participated in a roundtable discussion with leading Dutch health innovators, including:
- Philips
- Signify Health
- Invest International
- BOM (Brabant Development Agency)
- UMCG
- NLC Health Ventures
- Task Force Health Care (TFHC)
- InnovationQuarter
These discussions focused on strengthening collaboration across clinical trials, early-stage commercialization, and innovation exchange. The message was clear: the BioBridge is working, and both sides are ready to build on it.
Spotlight at HLTH Europe
At the Dutch Pavilion, TMC Innovation’s Thomas Luby and Devin Dunn joined BioBridge alumnus Hicham Shatou for an open conversation on Dutch–Texan collaboration and the opportunities ahead for new startups.
The momentum continued during the NBSO Life Sciences & Health networking lunch, organized in partnership with RVO and the Netherlands Embassy in the U.S., where a wide mix of Dutch health tech entrepreneurs gathered to connect and explore U.S. market strategies.
Texas Opportunities for Dutch Innovators
For Dutch life sciences and health startups, Texas offers an unparalleled combination of scale, access, and momentum. With the BioBridge established, and strong institutional support on both sides, the runway is clear for deeper cooperation and entry into one of the world’s most dynamic healthcare markets.
