Building on the success of their first UK Study Tour in May 2024, Knight Frank’s Australian Healthcare and Life Sciences team will host their second international study tour to the Netherlands in September this year, with parties now being called upon to register their interest.

The ‘Vitals’ Study Tour will focus on fostering collaboration and learning among stakeholders involved in the development and management of innovation ecosystems and precincts in the healthcare and life sciences sector.The Dutch life sciences and innovation sector is a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem, characterised by world-class infrastructure, leading research institutions, thriving science parks and a community of over 3,000 innovative businesses, including more than 400 biopharmaceutical companies.

The Netherlands has seen remarkable growth in its scientific sector. From 2013 to 2019, research and development employment surged by 15%, nearly double the 8% growth in general employment. This trend underscores the rapid expansion of scientific research and development in the country, outpacing overall economic growth and highlighting the sector's increasing importance in the Dutch economy.

Knight Frank’s healthcare and life sciences study tour to the Netherlands follows the firm’s first international study tour to the Golden Triangle in the UK in May last year, which exposed Australian stakeholders in the life sciences and innovation ecosystem to best practice across globally recognised precincts.

Eleven industry professionals from Australia, Singapore and China attended the tour including fund managers, REITs, PE houses, developers and design consultants.

Attendees were exposed to a range of existing and emerging facilities across the Golden Triangle in London, Cambridge, Stevenage and Oxford. The tour covered critical aspects such as government policies, university collaborations and strategic insights into the drivers of the UK’s thriving life sciences sector.

The overwhelming success of Knight Frank’s UK life sciences tour has led the firm to make the study tour a biennial event, occurring every second financial year.

The Netherlands study tour, which will be for a duration of five days, will be hosted by Knight Frank Australia sector specialists, Sam Biggins, National Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences, and Lawson Katiza, Partner, Life Sciences, Healthcare and Consulting.

Mr Biggins said: “Knight Frank’s 2025 study tour takes us to the Netherlands and continues the theme of exploring how mature ecosystems have tackled challenges that we are encountering in Australia’s nascent life sciences and innovation sector, with a focus on translation and commercialisation.

“On this tour, attendees will join other research academics, government representatives, capital investors, developers, design consultants, SMEs, and more to see how their roles play out in mature ecosystems.”

Knight Frank Partner, Life Sciences, Healthcare & Consulting Lawson Katiza said: "Our study tour to the Netherlands has illuminated a path for Australia's innovation ecosystem. 

“The Dutch model of collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions offers a blueprint for accelerating our own progress in Australia. The Dutch success story isn't just inspiring—it's a practical roadmap for transforming Australia into a world-leading innovation hub."

You can register your interest in attending Knight Frank’s ‘Vitals’ Study Tour here.

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