News

The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to take stock of the one that has just ended.
Despite the challenges that 2021 (again) brought, our biotech community in Delft has continued to grow successfully. We are proud to now have 18 amazing companies on campus! 2022 will be dedicated to further expand the Planet B.io community, both on the Biotech Campus Delft and outside.

In 2020, DSM NL established the Kickstart Fund to support the ecosystem around Planet B.io and the Biotech Campus Delft. With a total annual budget of 200 k€, the Fund supports activities in three categories:  pre-startup support, startup support and ecosystem support. The funds are coordinated by Planet B.io. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could study with razor-sharp precision how a brain or nerve cell works? What happens at the cellular level in prostate cancer? And how a virus infects a cell? "With our technology, researchers can study biological processes in living cells", says Pauline van Deursen, Chief Technology Officer of Vitrotem at Planet B.io.

With the delivery of the third floor and its social area, the renovation of the Beijerinck Center has been completed at the beginning of August 2021. After several internal moves and welcoming a new resident, the building is almost fully let. It is time to take stock and to look ahead.

For the production of vitamins, paints or fragrances, we often use fossil raw materials, such as oil. This can be done differently. In Delft, several companies are working on production based on renewable raw materials, such as sugar and wood waste. This is relatively expensive. Start-up company DAB has developed a technology for faster and cheaper ‘green’ production.

Back to the familiar nest. Last summer, technology provider XPure moved to Planet B.io at the Biotech Campus Delft. In doing so, it returned to its native soil. With its patented  purification technology for biotech companies, chemical companies and the food industry, XPure helps enabling the transition to a bio-based economy. Planet B.io is the ideal starting point for this, says director René Nanninga: “Planet B.io is an inspiring environment and unique scientific business community.”

How can we provide protein for ten billion people? The collection of solutions to this problem is called ‘the protein transition’. The Biotech Campus Delft is leading the way.

What is a open innovation environment without a nice social area to engage with the rest of the community? A firm's hotel! On July 1st, the newly renovated social area on the second floor of our multi-tenant building, the Beijerinck Center, was officially opened.

Dr. Maria C. Cuellar recently joined the Planet B.io team as Science and Technology officer.
Maria is a Bioprocess engineer, with a focus on bioprocess integration and with sustainability as purpose. She has a vast experience in formulating and leading projects both in industry and academia. Maria will take responsibility on all activities within Planet B.io that require technical and scaleup knowledge. 

We had a talk with her about her career and experience.