From Innovation to Transformation: Meet Floor van de Watering, the New Program Manager of PharmaNL

News November 11, 2024

Since October 1, Floor van de Watering has taken on the role of program manager at PharmaNL. With over fifteen years of experience in guiding healthcare innovations to market, her career began as a researcher at Radboudumc, where she worked on injectable bone treatments during her PhD and focused on breast tumor detection in her postdoc work. “My PhD research explored how bone can regrow using injectable materials. It was amazing work because you’re developing a real product, although still in the preclinical phase,” Van de Watering explains.

Floor van de Watering

As an entrepreneur, she has specialized in challenge-based innovation, where organizations define a problem and companies propose solutions. “It’s about innovations that make a real impact and are accessible and useful for everyone,” she explains. At PharmaNL, Floor aims to leverage this approach to accelerate pharmaceutical innovations’ journey to the market and enhance their societal value.

National Transformation

In her new role as program manager, Van de Watering sees opportunities to contribute to the development of national projects that could transform the pharmaceutical sector. “What’s compelling about PharmaNL is that it’s a national project with the potential to create real change. It’s about the dynamics and connections we establish to visibly advance the sector over the next five years.”

Visibility

A key part of the new program manager’s vision is to increase the visibility of the pharmaceutical sector and the opportunities it offers. Van de Watering is committed to showcasing the industry not only to companies but also to young talent. “It doesn’t matter if they’re in Amsterdam, Groningen, or the Achterhoek; I want us to retain talent for the Netherlands,” she says.

Floor also aims to improve the pharmaceutical industry’s image by highlighting its significant social value. “It’s not just about big profits; it’s genuinely about improving healthcare. We can show the next generation that working in pharmacy makes a difference.”

Clear Communication and Collaboration

Floor also emphasizes the importance of clear communication about PharmaNL’s work. “Many people are aware of existing national growth funds, but when I mention ‘PharmaNL,’ they often don’t know exactly what it entails. As program manager, I want to get the message out there and make clear what we do and what we can contribute,” she explains.

She sees great potential in collaborating with other growth funds to drive collective progress. “We need to pool our strengths to support companies and achieve concrete, future-proof results,” she says.

Want to Connect?

Floor van de Watering welcomes anyone interested in strengthening the pharmaceutical sector alongside PharmaNL. Do you have ideas, questions, or just want to brainstorm? Feel free to reach out via email at floorvandewatering@pharmaNL.org or communicatie@pharmanl.org.