Argenx joins hollandbio!

Hollandbio connects, represents and supports the Dutch life science sector. We are very proud that we already represent 280 companies: from start-ups, small and medium-sized companies to large companies, active in health, food or biobased economy. Today we are happy to introduce argenx as a new member!

Founded in the Netherlands in 2008, argenx is committed to improving the lives of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Through its collaborative approach, argenx partners with researchers and clinicians worldwide, including several in the Netherlands, to develop groundbreaking antibody candidates. Its efforts have led to the development and approval of novel treatments, offering opportunities for therapeutic innovation across several disease areas. Argenx also recognizes the importance of enhancing patient health, promoting sustainable healthcare systems, and investing in the Dutch and European biotech ecosystem. “That is why we are glad to be a partner of hollandbio, as we deeply believe in the value of connecting biotech ecosystems together.”  

A few more words from argenx: 

Who is argenx?

“argenx is committed to improving the lives of people suffering from rare and severe autoimmune diseases with high unmet needs, with a primary focus on myasthenia gravis. We are building on our strong foundation in antibody engineering and a unique co- creation approach – the Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) – to bring innovation to patients.  

Across all our research efforts, we are looking for first-in-class innovation. For instance, together we developed and received regulatory approval for the first-ever Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker. FcRn plays a critical role across several autoimmune diseases and could result in therapeutic innovation in a number of different autoimmune conditions.  

We are working towards enhancing patient health, supporting sustainable healthcare systems, and contributing to a dynamic European biotech ecosystem. We believe in bringing together various stakeholders, including payers, providers, governments, regulators and patient advocacy organizations. For instance, we involve patient groups in our clinical development programs and we work together in public-private partnerships for real-world evidence studies and digital solutions. These initiatives can help to change how diseases are managed, thereby improving patient outcomes.” 

What is the importance of the Netherlands to argenx? 

“In addition to being founded in the Netherlands, one of our founders is Hans de Haard, a world-renowned scientist in the field of antibodies trained in Rotterdam and Maastricht. We remain currently heavily involved and actively investing in the Dutch biotech ecosystem. On the research side, we maintain research collaborations with multiple Dutch university medical centres and have a number of agreements with options to license IP from our Dutch partners. On the clinical development side, we are currently conducting clinical trials across several centers of excellence in the Netherlands.  

In addition, we recognize the importance of contributing to sustainable and patient centric healthcare systems, in particular by helping patients avoid hospital stays. To support this, we are actively developing new formulations of our therapies. In the Netherlands we are also piloting remote patient management programs and digital solutions for symptom management.” 

Why are you joining Hollandbio? 

“We are members of only few trade associations, and Hollandbio will be one of the first we are joining in Europe. We believe that Hollandbio is a partner that really understands and supports the challenges of early-stage biotech companies. Hollandbio is very well connected internationally, and we deeply believe in the value of connecting the international biotech ecosystems together, the same way our Immunology Innovation Program is connecting researchers and innovators together.  

We also believe that Hollandbio plays an important role in discussing the topic of access to innovation. We are committed to actively contribute to this dialogue and bring forward some potential ideas and initiatives which can be the basis of co-creative solutions with all stakeholders. We look forward to play an active role in Hollandbio and contribute to their mission of innovation in the Netherlands.”