Netherlands Discussion Group
The Netherlands Area Biotech (NLab) Discussion Group enables the local area community of industry, academic, and regulatory professionals to meet and share ideas and experiences, thereby working together to resolve scientific challenges in the field of biopharmaceutical development and regulation.
The NLab Discussion Group goals include:
- Share learning across industry, academia, and health authorities in Europe in general, and in the Netherlands in particular.
- Generate new scientific and technical insights and solutions for developing biopharmaceutical products in the future.
- Contribute to the expansion of CASSS’ mission, vision, influence, and community in Europe.
Click on the sections below for detailed information:
NLab Discussion Group | Till Deadlines Do Us Part: Stories From the CDMO-Client Frontline | 4 June 18:00 CET | Leiden, Netherlands
Join us in person on 4 June at the Netherlands Area Biotech (NLab) Discussion Group for a discussion on CDMO's. Network with local Netherlands CASSS members. Registration for this free opportunity closes 1 June.
Location:
Leiden University Medical Center
Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, Room/Route: K-01-084 | CZ 4 | R762, Gebouw 01
5 November | More Information Coming Soon
Join us on 5 November for the Netherlands Area Biotech (NLab) Discussion Group. Network with local Netherlands CASSS members. Registration for this free opportunity will be available in September.
Attendance and Substitution Policy
CASSS reserves the right to withdraw, replace, add, or substitute presenters, speakers, and other guests without notice. Entry into the conference is at the sole discretion of CASSS and CASSS reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone for any reason.
In drug development, the relationship between a CDMO and its sponsor is not a nice-to-have, it is a critical success factor. Timelines, quality outcomes and ultimately patient access all hinge on how well these two parties work together. Yet the friction points that quietly derail collaborations are rarely discussed openly. This session changes that. In an honest, no-slides fireside chat, CDMO representatives and sponsor representatives will sit down for a candid, moderator-led conversation about what these partnerships really look like from both sides of the table. Think industry couples' therapy: a space where the CDMO gets to say - out loud - what sponsors do that drives them to distraction, and where sponsors can return the favor. Crucially, many of these frustrations are surprisingly easy to fix once they are named. That is exactly what we intend to do.
From the expectations gap at kick-off to communication habits that save projects, from batch failures to graceful endings, this is the conversation the industry needs to have.
Whatever your experience level, there is something in this session for you. If you have been in a CDMO-sponsor relationship before, you will recognize the patterns - and leave armed with practical ways to move forward. If you are new to this world, you will know exactly what to look out for: not only how to make a strong first impression, but how to make it a lasting one.
And you won’t just be watching: live polling, anonymous question cards and open dialogue ensure that the stories and insights from the room become part of the program too.
Alfred Luitjens
Almira Biotech Consultancy
Alfred Luitjens is a senior leader with over 40 years of global experience building and leading diverse teams within vaccine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing organizations. Renowned for his expertise in GMP manufacturing, process development, regulatory strategy, and technical leadership, Luitjens has driven innovation, reliability, and cost-effectiveness throughout his career. He is dedicated to guiding teams and advancing therapies from early-stage development through clinical trials, focusing on business value through science, integrity, and results.
Luitjens has a proven record of more than 40 years’ experience, ensuring the delivery of biopharmaceutical products according to current GMP regulations, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Leadership according to principles of integrity, science, and result-driven. Innovation is one of the key drivers for bringing business value.
Today, through Almira Biotech Consultancy, he helps biomanufacturing companies accelerate innovation and efficiency across biologics and viral vector production.
Mike Köstermann
BioConnection
Mike Köstermann is Team Lead Development at BIO Connection, a Dutch contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in aseptic fill & finish of biopharmaceutical products. He leads a multidisciplinary development team responsible for process development, technology transfer, and lifecycle management of sterile drug products.
Köstermann has extensive experience at the interface of pharmaceutical development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on EU GMP and FDA requirements, including Annex 1, ICH Q9/Q10, and contemporary process validation strategies. His work covers the full development lifecycle, from early-phase process design and scale-up to PPQ, continued process verification, and regulatory readiness.
In his current role, Köstermann actively supports scientific decision-making, risk-based process optimization, and constructive dialogue between development, quality, and regulatory stakeholders. He regularly contributes to cross-functional and cross-organizational discussions on best practices in biopharmaceutical development and is particularly interested in advancing harmonized, science-driven approaches to complex regulatory and technical challenges.
Andrea Marunović
Batavia Biosciences
Bio and image coming soon.
Promote Your Participation
Here are some ways you can share your message:
- Follow CASSS on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. Stay up-to-date on the latest Discussion Group announcements and opportunities. Links can be found in the right column or at the bottom of this page.
- Share your participation via your personal Facebook, X, and LinkedIn accounts. Whether you are a recurring presenter or this is your first time attending, we are grateful to have you join us this year.
- Share the news with your colleagues who run your organization's official social media channels. We are proud to show our community your participation - let your community convey their support too.
- Personalize your email signature. Add an image or short message to your default email signature to let your colleagues know you will be attending the Discussion Group.
- Remember to tag CASSS on all social media posts.
If you have any questions about this media kit, please reach out to Renee Olson.
Register Now
Save your spot for the Netherlands Area Biotech (NLab) Discussion Group on 4 June 2026. Registration for this free opportunity closes 1 June.
