Innovation Mission Organ-on-Chip & Organoids to Boston and Washington D.C. (USA)

For whom?

This mission is intended for:

• entrepreneurs;
• researchers;
• engineers;
• clinicians;
• ethicists;
• business developers; and
  • anyone affiliated with: a knowledge institution;
  • an academic hospital;
  • a technology company;
  • a patient organisation.

Do you fall within this target group and are you active in the field of organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies and organoids? Are you interested in transatlantic connections to further develop your research/solutions? Then this innovation mission is of interest to you.

This innovation mission is your opportunity to gain insight into the rapid developments and investments in OoC technologies in Boston and Washington D.C.. This is a fast-growing industry that is transforming drug development, disease modelling and personalised medicine.

Why Boston?

Boston, Massachusetts, is a global leader in life sciences and the health sector. From research and development to entrepreneurship and commercialisation, Boston is at the forefront of biotechnology. This is largely thanks to the supportive ecosystem of government, businesses, universities, venture capital and entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the partnership between Massachusetts and the Netherlands is unique. With both a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a cooperation programme in the field of Life Sciences & Health, there is no other formal agreement between the Massachusetts government and any other country that is comparable.

The core of this partnership is improving the lives of patients. This partnership remains relevant and successful thanks to the commitment of both parties to this transatlantic collaboration.

Why Washington. D.C.?

Washington, D.C. is the center of all U.S. biomedical research policy, funding, and strategy. It is home to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Through its institutes and centers, the NIH plays a decisive role in shaping national and global research agendas and accelerating breakthroughs that improve health and reduce disease.

This includes the NIH Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Center, which develops reproducible organoid models to accelerate translational research. By advancing standardized human tissue models, the SOM Center directly complements organ-on-a-chip technologies, creating a bridge between cutting-edge bioengineering and federally guided disease modeling.

Engagement with the federal research ecosystem provides direct access to key decision-makers, funding bodies, and national initiatives. Just as Boston connects innovators with industry, Washington, D.C. aligns researchers with federal priorities and long-term support - forming a powerful foundation for sustainable US-NL collaboration in organ-on-a-chip and organoid technologies.

What can you expect?

This mission brings together experts from both the Dutch and American ecosystems to:  

• connect;
• explore research and development opportunities;
• collaborate on the further development of OoC technologies.

Together, we want to build a new industrial sector focused on improving patient outcomes. Participating in this mission will give you insights into the opportunities for transatlantic collaboration.

Draft programme

The date of the mission is tentatively scheduled to begin in the evening of Sunday, November 8 and end in the afternoon of Friday, November 13.

Behind the scenes the Netherlands Innovation Network in Boston and Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO are working on further details of the program. We aim to keep some flexibility for specific interests of participants, where possible. Early bird registrants will have the opportunity to provide input for the program, therefore we highly recommend registering as soon as possible.

The draft program will be published on this webpage, as soon as it becomes available.

Costs

The cost of participating in the innovation mission is €350 per person, excluding VAT. This includes:

• participation in the joint programme;
• transfers to and from programme components;
• lunch and dinners as specified in the programme.

Participation does not include:

• travel and accommodation costs (intercontinental and domestic flights and hotels);
• all individual costs, such as lunches and dinners outside the programme.

Register

Would you like to participate in this innovation mission? Then please complete the online registration form by 29 May 2026.

Please note: registration does not automatically guarantee participation. Final participation depends on the number of places available and the extent to which your organisation aligns with the mission's objectives.

Want to know more?

Do you have any questions or would you like more information about this innovation mission? Please contact:

Niels van Leeuwen
Senior Advisor International R&D Life Sciences & Health
E: innovatiemissies@rvo.nl 

Would you like to know more about innovation missions? Visit our information page (in Dutch).