4DM: Mapping the Dutch pharmaceutical ecosystem

What knowledge, expertise and infrastructure are available in the Netherlands for the development of new medicines? Where are there needs and opportunities for collaboration? The 4DM tool maps the Dutch pharmaceutical ecosystem and makes this information accessible.

The tool was developed within PharmaNL and is based on the Drug Discovery, Development and Deployment Map (4DMap). By collecting and aggregating information from companies and knowledge institutions, an increasingly complete picture of the Dutch ecosystem is created.

The 4DMap: the framework

The 4DMap provides an overview of the different steps and components involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products: from fundamental research and drug discovery to clinical development, manufacturing, regulation and application.

The 4DMap therefore serves as the content framework for the 4DM tool. View the 4DMap:

4DMap

Download the 4DMap here as pdf: 4D Map_2025 aug

The 4DM tool: mapping the ecosystem

The 4DM tool translates this framework into an interactive view of the Dutch pharmaceutical ecosystem. To do this, PharmaNL conducts interviews with companies and knowledge institutions active in the sector.

The information from these interviews is aggregated and presented in interactive dashboards. This provides insight into, among other things:

  • available knowledge and expertise;
  • infrastructure and facilities;
  • needs across different parts of the pharmaceutical value chain;
  • potential gaps in the ecosystem;
  • opportunities for connections and collaboration.

The information is continuously expanded. The more organisations participate, the more complete the picture of the Dutch pharmaceutical ecosystem becomes.

PharmaNL Company Map

In addition to the 4DM tool, PharmaNL continuously works on an up-to-date nationwide overview of companies and knowledge institutions involved in the pharmaceutical sector. This overview can be found on the PharmaNL Company Map.

The Company Map is continuously updated. The pins indicate the organisation’s status in relation to the 4DM tool:

  • green pin: the organisation has been interviewed and is part of the 4DM tool;
  • grey pin: the organisation has been mapped, but has not yet been interviewed for the 4DM tool.

In this way, the Company Map grows alongside the ecosystem and the database behind the 4DM tool. View the PharmaNL Company Map.

Help us complete the picture of the ecosystem

An up-to-date and complete picture of the Dutch pharmaceutical sector is only possible with input from the organisations that are part of it. Companies and knowledge institutions can therefore participate in an interview for the 4DM tool.

By sharing your knowledge, expertise, infrastructure and needs, you help us gain a better understanding of the Dutch ecosystem. At the same time, you gain greater insight into the knowledge, expertise and facilities available within the sector, and new connections and opportunities for collaboration may emerge.

Would you like your organisation to contribute to the 4DM tool? Email info@pharmanl.org.