New boost for drug research: CHDR brings early-phase innovation to Twente

What exactly does CHDR do?

“We focus on the very first steps of drug research in humans — the moment a new compound is tested in people for the first time. This so-called early-phase research primarily examines safety and is usually conducted with healthy volunteers. We don’t develop medicines ourselves; we study them: is the drug safe, how does it behave in the body, and does it show any sign of the intended effect?”

So you don’t test drugs on sick patients, but on healthy volunteers?

“Exactly. That’s the challenge. If someone doesn’t have the condition the drug is designed for, how do you prove that it has an effect? This requires a lot of methodology development. We use advanced measurement techniques to map subtle responses in the body. This allows us to predict early on whether a compound is promising before millions of euros are invested in further research.”

Why was the new branch opened in Twente?

“That was a very deliberate choice. Twente has a strong medtech ecosystem. In addition, we already had good collaboration with MST and the University of Twente (UT). Here, for example, you find researchers and doctors with expertise in sensor technology, neurology, and pain research. The combination of technical innovation and medical knowledge is exactly what we need. Moreover, we were literally welcomed with open arms. Everyone wanted to collaborate. You immediately get the sense that very strong partnerships can emerge from this.”

How does that collaboration work in practice?

“Very streamlined. For example, we collaborate with Professor Michel van Putten, neurologist at MST and UT professor, and Jan Buitenweg, professor in pain and sensory processing at UT. They study brain activity and pain; together we test different methods in our studies. In return, we help validate new technologies. This way we strengthen each other. UT students also conduct research with us, and technical medical professionals find a workplace where they can immediately apply their knowledge.”

Can you give an example of research you conduct in Twente?

“At the moment, we are studying brain excitability. We use EEG — a brain scan — and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which allows us to stimulate the brain precisely. This measures how easily neurons respond and how this changes under the influence of a drug. This is valuable knowledge, for example, for developing epilepsy medications. And the beauty is: we can do all this with healthy participants.”

That sounds quite technical…

“Indeed. Technology is not just supportive for us; it’s essential. We also develop new measurement methods ourselves. A good example is our NeuroKit, a portable version of the NeuroCart — an advanced test battery for the central nervous system (CNS) developed by CHDR. With this system, using VR headsets and smart software, we can study how a drug affects the CNS at any clinical location. This innovation is being implemented in Enschede for the first time outside our main location.”

What does CHDR’s arrival mean for the Twente region?

“It brings new knowledge, employment, and an international profile. We started here with a small team of nurses, technical medical professionals, and students, but we are growing rapidly. Next year, we plan to open a department where participants can also stay overnight. That means more research and more jobs. And for students, it’s an excellent learning environment where they work with technology at the intersection of medicine and engineering.”

What do patients notice from your work?

“By understanding how a drug works at an early stage, we can significantly speed up the development of new therapies. This means medications ultimately reach patients faster and more safely. That’s, of course, what it’s all about.”

Finally: you are trained as a neurosurgeon. What attracts you to this work?

“Good question. I believe patient care doesn’t start in the operating room. The real opportunity for innovation lies much earlier, in developing therapies that prevent diseases or improve symptoms. Looking ahead in this way is very interesting to me. Moreover, science has always been the driving force behind innovation for me. CHDR brings these two worlds together: medical care and scientific innovation.”