An interview with Brigitte Drees

How Pivot Park Oss continues to drive innovation in the Dutch Life Sciences sector

The Life Sciences industry in the Netherlands is flourishing, and Pivot Park Oss plays a central role in this success. Originally established by pharmaceutical company Organon, Pivot Park has grown into a vibrant hub where startups and international companies collaborate on innovations in health and disease prevention. We spoke with Brigitte Drees, director of Pivot Park, about her background, the unique position of Pivot Park in the pharmaceutical industry, and her vision for the future.

Collaboration and flexibility at the core of Pivot Park

What sets Pivot Park apart is its close collaboration with companies and the flexibility it offers them. Brigitte Drees explains: “What’s special about Pivot Park is that everything is located on one open campus, and the real estate is owned by us. This allows us to grow alongside entrepreneurs. If a company needs more space, we can act quickly and adapt spaces as needed.” She highlights the Marie Curie building as an example: “A company started here with one floor and has since expanded to several levels. Even if things temporarily slow down, we work with them. In some cases, space is returned. That flexibility is a strength you won’t find everywhere.”

The collaborative model has proven highly successful. “The success lies in the network here. Companies collaborate, share knowledge, and leverage each other’s expertise. This makes Pivot Park a unique place in the Life Sciences industry,” says Drees.

A strong connection to the pharmaceutical industry

Pivot Park has deep roots in the pharmaceutical industry. “It all began in 1923 with Organon. Today, around 4,500 people work in the pharmaceutical sector in Oss,” Drees shares.

Many companies at Pivot Park, such as MSD and Aspen, stem from this rich history. She is particularly proud of success stories like Acerta Pharma: “They started here with just two people and have grown enormously thanks to our facilities. Their acquisition by AstraZeneca for €9 billion demonstrates the importance of our ecosystem for the growth of companies.”

Investing in talent and community

Despite a tight labor market, Pivot Park continues to attract and retain talent. “People travel from afar, even from Germany and Belgium, to work here,” Drees explains. “We support companies with job vacancy communications, but ultimately, recruitment is their responsibility. The advantage of working here is that you avoid the hustle and bustle of the Randstad while enjoying diverse job opportunities.”

The vibrant community also plays a vital role. “Events like Pivot Café and Vitality Week create a close-knit community,” she adds.

Looking ahead

Brigitte Drees has an ambitious and promising vision: “We want to attract even more talent and strengthen our role as a center for pharmaceutical innovation. Pivot Park remains the spiritual home of the Dutch pharmaceutical industry, and we are determined to continue that legacy.”

With strong investors like the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) and a solid network of companies and knowledge institutions, Pivot Park is poised to grow even further in the coming years, continuing to strengthen the Life Sciences industry in the Netherlands.

To respond to this growth, Talentmark opened an office at Pivot Park in 2024, allowing us to better support companies in the region. Interested in what else we accomplished in 2024? Read our blog here!