Amsterdam, the Netherlands - 7th October 2015 - Clemens van Blitterswijk, partner at LSP (Life Sciences Partners), the specialist healthcare investment firm, has won the prestigious Huibregtsen Prize 2015 for the development of bone-inducing biomaterials. The 2015 Huibregtsen Prize is awarded for research that breaks new scientific ground and demonstrates significant potential to generate a positive impact for society. Prof. van Blitterswijk’s research was selected by a panel of judges from over 24 shortlisted submissions.
Dr. Jet Bussemaker, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, presented the prize to Clemens van Blitterswijk at a ceremony held Monday October 5, 2015. The ceremony took place during the 16th Eve of Science & Society (Avond van Wetenschap & Maatschappij) in the Ridderzaal in The Hague, The Netherlands, a 13th century prestigious location where the opening of Dutch parliament is held every year. The Huibregtsen Prize consists of € 25,000 and a bronze sculpture by the eminent Dutch artist Wil van der Laan.
Clemens van Blitterswijk is Professor at Maastricht University, The Netherlands, and Director at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine. He has worked on the improvement of bone implants for more than 20 years. His experimental approach has led to a new generation of bone-filling materials, which uses a person’s inherent repair mechanisms. His approach and inventions constitute a significant opportunity to transform the lives of millions of patients with bone disease.
In addition to his scientific endeavors, Clemens van Blitterswijk is a partner at LSP. LSP is one of Europe’s largest and most experienced healthcare investment firms, having raised over € 1 billion and having founded and supported over 125 companies. With a track record going back over 25 years, LSP has built an investment house that is dedicated to seeking, nurturing and growing healthcare investment opportunities with the potential to have a positive impact on society. LSP has offices in Amsterdam, Munich and Boston.
Commenting on the announcement, René Kuijten, general partner at LSP, added: “We are extremely proud that Clemens has been awarded the prestigious Huibregtsen Prize. At LSP, we support inventors with scientific innovations. We help these scientists establish companies that develop their experimental ideas into new products that benefit patients. Clemens plays an exemplary role in this trajectory, not only through his scientific career, but also through his expertise in launching and building companies based on new and innovative technologies.’’
For more information, please contact:
Dr René Kuijten, General Partner
Tel: +31 20 664 5500