Innovation and collaboration is the cure to solving the healthcare crisis

Interview with Erik Jan van Bergen, Managing Director Investments, Coöperatie VGZ

Patients wait for beds, emergency rooms overflow, aging population, escalating costs and demand for care, and there is a shortage of healthcare workers...… Diagnosing an overburdened healthcare system is not hard, with daily headlines in our newspapers, the real challenge lies in the treatment. Erik Jan van Bergen, Managing Director Investments of a leading not-for-profit Dutch health insurer Coöperatie VGZ, with approximately 4 million members insured, believes that one of the key remedies for our ailing healthcare system will have to be innovation – a prescription filled by investing in early-stage healthcare companies and collaboration between key players in the healthcare ecosystem. 

‍Q: What motivated VGZ to invest in NLC Health Ventures?

Erik Jan: At VGZ, we recognize that the healthcare system faces significant challenges, but simply injecting more money into the system isn't a sustainable solution. Instead, VGZ amongst other things aims to support future-proof healthcare by stimulating process and product innovation. This involves investing in early-stage innovations that make high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone.NLC Health Ventures stands out because it not only invests in companies but also provides comprehensive support from inception to market entry. This approach significantly increases the chances of success for innovations, ensuring they make a real impact. The strategic partnership with NLC allows VGZ to leverage its expertise and resources to expedite the development of healthcare innovations, ultimately enhancing the quality and accessibility of care. 

‍Q: You have described VGZ's investment in NLC as a strategic and impactful one. Can you elaborate?

Erik Jan: Accessible and affordable healthcare is of great importance for society, and we cannot ignore the challenges facing healthcare. We believe that by supporting innovations that address pressing healthcare challenges, we ultimately contribute to a healthier, more resilient society. Our focus on sustainability means that these impacts will extend far into the future, benefiting our members and other stakeholders.Importantly, the issues facing healthcare won't be solved by one player in the industry alone. It requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in healthcare: patient organizations, insurers, venture builders, venture capitalists, healthcare investors, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

Q: How does VGZ's expertise complement NLC Health Ventures?

Erik Jan: VGZ brings extensive expertise in healthcare management, a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, and a strong network of healthcare providers. Our experience in managing large-scale healthcare initiatives and our commitment to innovation makes us a valuable partner for NLC. We will leverage our network and expertise to support the scaling and integration of successful innovations into the healthcare system. This collaboration allows us to combine NLC's venture-building capabilities with our industry knowledge, creating a powerful synergy to drive healthcare innovation forward. 

‍Q: Can you elaborate on the specific aspects of the partnership between VGZ and NLC? ‍

Erik Jan: Firstly, we will be working closely with NLC to ensure that the products and services developed by their ventures are beneficial to VGZ's members. This involves sharing our expertise and network to guide the development process towards solutions that address real needs in the healthcare system. Secondly, we aim to accelerate the introduction of new European innovations that align with VGZ's strategic agenda. Our knowledge of the Dutch reimbursement landscape will be invaluable in guiding NLC's ventures through the complexities of bringing their products and services to the Dutch market efficiently. Lastly, we are excited about the potential to build new ventures together, combining NLC's expertise in venture building with VGZ's deep understanding of the Dutch healthcare landscape.

‍Q: How do you envision the long-term impact of this partnership on the Dutch healthcare system?‍

Erik Jan: Our partnership with NLC is about creating a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that can adapt to future challenges. By fostering innovation at the early stages, we are laying the groundwork for a more efficient, patient-centric, and technologically advanced healthcare system. In the long term, we expect to see a reduction in healthcare costs, improved patient outcomes, and a more manageable workload for healthcare professionals. Supporting these startups goes beyond introducing new technologies - it's all about fundamentally transforming how we approach healthcare delivery, ultimately creating a healthier society.