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Portrait Esther Peters Leiden Bio Science Park
© Merel Tuk
Bring yourself

Exploring the Future of Health

Cutting-edge Innovation with a rich history in Leiden

Esther Peters is the director of the largest life science and health cluster in the Netherlands, the Leiden Bio Science Park. The park hosts over 470 organizations, companies and research institutions, while accommodating more than 22,000 employees and over 21,000 students. The park is dedicated to advancing a robust ecosystem of innovation and the modernization of health.

Bring your­self, Esther will do the same

Portrait Esther Peters Leiden Bio Science Park
© Merel Tuk

Esther Peters is the director of Leiden Bio Science Park, where she plays a vital role in driving innovation in the life sciences sector. Her passion for fostering collaboration and advancing health solutions makes her an inspiring leader in this dynamic environment.

The future of Health 

As Esther Peters highlights, “We operate in a highly innovative world focused on bioscience and biotech, addressing the future of health. Expertise in data and AI drives innovation, keeping us at the forefront of Life Science and health developments. Our work spans lifestyle and prevention, regenerative medicine, vaccines and infectious diseases, as well as cutting-edge technological innovations in drug development and treatments.” Many people are curious about the innovations happening here. Each year, we open our doors for Dutch Bio Science Week for a behind-the-scenes look at innovations that impact our health.

Leiden Bio Science Park is an all-inclusive comprehensive campus that covers everything from the initial molecular research to market analysis and patient implementation. This includes on-site patient care with Leiden University Medical Centre and other healthcare organizations on site, with both a research component and care. Additionally, they have a strong technological scientific research component and Esther is proud to add that they recently opened a new, state-of-the-art Science faculty with a large conference room for up to 600 people.

Leiden Bio Science Park
© Simone Both

“It’s about people — those who are passionate to share their knowledge and keep collaborating.”
Esther Peters

Meetings surrounded by Scientists 

Corpus Congress Centre
© Leiden Convention Bureau

Leiden Bio Science Park is an ideal venue for life sciences and health conferences. “Our campus offers diverse facilities, and our team can coordinate events with city center venues.” The CORPUS Congress Centre, a landmark in the park, hosts large conferences for up to 1,500 people while allowing visitors to explore the human body. One key event is the Dutch Life Sciences Conference, the Netherlands' leading gathering for biotech, pharma, and medical device professionals. The park collaborates with the Leiden Convention Bureau to organize these events and connect with leading experts and prominent professors through its extensive network.

Just 16 minutes from Schiphol Airport, you’ll arrive at Leiden station, ideally situated with at one side of the station the historic city centre and on the other side Leiden Bio Science Park. “It makes it easy to explore the city, known for its centuries-old architecture, picturesque canals, and world-class museums,” says Esther. Don’t miss the chance to vist our Life Science Café, every third Thursday of the month, for engaging discussions from medtech to how quantum technology boosts life science and health, where start-ups pitch their newest innovations, and having the chance to meet new people and create new ideas. Plus, Leiden is the birthplace of Rembrandt, offering a glimpse into the early life of this renowned artist.  

40 Years of Innovation, 450 Years of Discovery

Leiden Bio Science Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, but its roots extend 450 years back to institutions like the Hortus Botanicus, where medicinal plant research first began, and Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. “Many of the park's companies trace their origins to our local educational and research institutions, such as University of Leiden and LUMC, reflecting a longstanding drive to discover new and innovative solutions in the field.”

"What captivates me is the dedication of the people here. The long-term vision and effort required to bring large-scale innovations to patients involve much trial and error—essentially 'failing forward.' Not every attempt succeeds, but collaboration continues, leading to many successes. At the heart of this process is the encouragement of serendipity. “We’re constantly working to facilitate and promote serendipity because that’s where new ideas and innovations are born,” Esther says. “Ultimately, it’s about people - people who are passionate to share their knowledge and keep collaborating”.

Leiden Bioscience Park lab technicians at work
© Leiden&Partners

Portrait Esther Peters Leiden Bio Science Park
© Merel Tuk