Planet B.io will continue to grow the innovation ecosystem on Biotech Campus Delft

DSM (since May 9^th 2023 dsm-firmenich) and ASR Dutch Science Park Fund announced their long-term collaboration to further develop the Biotech Campus Delft (BCD) to world-leader in bioscience at the beginning of April. The fund will be the exclusive partner for the further real estate development of the campus and will acquire the existing offices and labs that dsm-firmenich currently leases out to start-ups and other tenants on the campus. dsm-firmenich will remain owner of the Rosalind Franklin Biotech Center and landowner of the Biotech Campus Delft, including the infrastructure and the utilities. To further strengthen the vibrant knowledge and business ecosystem and attract new organizations to the BCD the fund has partnered with existing bioscience start- and scale-up accelerator Planet B.io.

The next phase of the Biotech Campus Delft development

In 2020, the non-profit organization Planet B.io was established to develop the Biotech Campus Delft into an open innovation campus for industrial biotechnology. They were able to use a dsm-firmenich building (the Beijerinck Center) as a ‘proof-of-concept phase’ in which modern labs and offices were leased out to young biotech companies. In addition, Planet B.io created a network of experts and tools to support these companies in their growth. The program proved very successful, as the Beijerinck Center was quickly fully leased out and currently provides space to 16 bioscience companies that create innovative solutions for the most pressing challenges in for example the energy and food transition. To be able to accommodate further growth, renovation of a second dsm-firmenich building commenced. Upon completion in the summer of 2023, Planet B.io will lease out additional space in this building. 

The exclusive partnership with ASR Dutch Science Park Fund (ASR DSPF), dsm-firmenich and Planet B.io marks the next phase of the BCD development. The Fund will join the Supervisory Board of Planet B.io, next to dsm-firmenich, Technical University of Delft, Municipality of Delft, Province of Zuid Holland and InnovationQuarter. These parties will support Planet B.io to help drive the ecosystem and growth of the Biotech Campus Delft.

dsm-firmenich, ASR Dutch Science Park Fund, Planet B.io; Who does what?

dsm-firmenich will remain the land owner of the Biotech Campus Delft, including the infrastructure and the utilities. dsm-firmenich and ASR DSPF have entered into an exclusive 99 year agreement in which ASR DSPF will gradually invest in up to 110.000 m2 of lab and office space. dsm-firmenich, in turn, will improve the accessibility of the campus and support the long-term development of the location. Planet B.io and ASR DSPF have also engaged in a long-term collaboration, where Planet B.io will be ASR DSPF’s exclusive partner to further grow the biotech innovation ecosystem in Delft. It is the joint ambition of Planet B.io, dsm-firmenich, and ASR DSPF to develop the BCD into a unique, world-leading campus for biotechnology that will fuel the Dutch knowledge- and innovation sector, with a strong focus on sustainable food solutions.

ASR DSPF will soon invest in two new buildings on the BCD. One new global head office for the Food and Beverage business group of dsm-firmenich, which will also provide state-of-the-art facilities for applications in food, and one new multi-tenant scale up building. In time, the fund shall acquire the existing multi-tenant buildings that are currently let by Planet B.io. In doing so, the fund will take over the real estate and facility management activities from Planet B.io, allowing the team to focus on their core activity; building a strong ecosystem that adds value to the companies at the BCD, and make the campus flourish and grow further.

Ready for the future

Cindy Gerhardt, director Planet B.io:“We are very happy to welcome ASR DSPF as our new partner to ensure the continuity of the development of the Biotech Campus Delft. It is our strong belief that an innovation ecosystem needs a combination of small, mid-sized and larger companies. Until now, it was a challenge to offer our fastest growing scale ups enough space to stay at the BCD. Also, we had little capacity to welcome larger companies. ASR DSPF will bring in the funds and the expertise to develop new real estate to make this possible. We are also happy that ASR DSPF understands the importance of an ecosystem on a campus, and the necessity to bring in deep knowledge of the sector to best support the companies. At Planet B.io, this is what makes us tick. With ASR DSPF on board, we guarantee future growth of the campus where all parties do what they do best! I look forward creating an even more stimulating environment for start-ups, scale-ups and grown-ups to join our campus and offer the necessary infrastructure, knowledge, mentors and future talents they need to grow.”

Ruud Roosen, fund director ASR Dutch Science Park Fund:"The fund already invests in commercial properties at several science parks in the Netherlands. We understand that on a campus it is not just about the buildings but even more so about knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities with other companies and universities. By working closely with Planet B.io and its partners we can guarantee that the Biotech Campus Delft will grow into a vibrant internationally renowned innovation ecosystem.”

Paulien Herder, chair of the Supervisory Board and dean of the faculty of applied sciences at the Delft University of Technology:“The Biotech Campus Delft has been a unique location for many decades, where the development of science, technology and business have always gone hand-in-hand. The TU Delft is a proud partner in the triple helix with dsm-firmenich, the municipality of Delft and the province of South Holland (including its investment agency InnovationQuarter), creating an excellent and vibrant biotechnology ecosystem in Delft. In this collaboration, Planet B.io was able to attract new, young and innovative biotech companies to the Biotech Campus Delft, and help them grow by offering a wide variety of services. We are happy that our new partner ASR DSPF supports and further strengthens our Innovation ecosystem vision. The collaboration with ASR DSPF gives Planet B.io, including their partners and the companies at the campus, an outlook to a healthy future full of growth potential.”