Shared facilities as an accelerator for medical innovation

While education and research are core university functions, the third mission – valorization – is equally crucial: translating knowledge into tangible improvements for society. The TechMed Centre focuses entirely on healthcare, actively fostering connections with hospitals and companies. “A hybrid operating room, for example, equipped with advanced robotic arms, imaging systems and surgical instruments, is typically found only in hospitals,” explains Remke Burie, director of the TechMed Centre. “Training students or testing prototypes in these environments is extremely difficult. At our center, we can do this in a safe and realistic setting.”

Skytron: American market leader leveraging European innovation

Skytron, a leading American manufacturer of operating room and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) equipment, develops and manufactures innovative solutions in Zwolle, near Twente – from one of the first pendant systems in Europe to state-of-the-art global innovations. “Our engineering department is constantly developing new concepts,” says Roderik Erens, director of Skytron Netherlands. “Thanks to the realistic operating rooms in Twente, we can test usage scenarios, observe incorrect use, and record everything on video. This gives us critical insights for product development.”

“Alumni of the University of Twente not only understand complex technology – they can apply it directly in practice.”

Accelerating ideas to market

New medical technology often takes years to reach the market. “Completely new products can take over a decade to commercialize,” says Burie. “At the TechMed Centre, we involve end users from the early stages, focusing on testing and validation, which dramatically speeds up the process.”

Twente offers more than facilities; it provides unique talent. The University of Twente’s Technical Medicine program combines medical and technical expertise in a way rarely seen elsewhere. “Our alumni not only understand complex technology – they can apply it directly in practice,” says Burie.

“Other universities are trying to replicate our model,” he continues, “and international interest is growing. Although our technical physicians are trained for the Dutch healthcare system, many of our graduates now work in research and industry worldwide.”

An ecosystem built for collaboration

The TechMed Centre is part of a broader ecosystem, comprising universities, hospitals, and the manufacturing industry. Together, they form an innovation hub where knowledge, facilities and entrepreneurship converge. “A hybrid operating room or MRI system is extremely expensive,” Burie explains. “It’s not feasible for individual companies to achieve this on their own. By collaborating with hospitals and government partners, we make such facilities accessible.”

Erens echoes this point: “Product development starts with a prototype, then progresses to series production. In this region, every step of the process is supported. Here, within a radius of fifty kilometers, you can access all the specialists you need. The talent level is exceptional, and local companies actively contribute to ideas. That makes Twente a uniquely strong location for us.”

“Product development starts with a prototype, then progresses to series production. Here, within a radius of fifty kilometers, you can access all the specialists you need.”

Driven by impact

Ultimately, the focus is not just on technology, but on the real-world impact it creates. “What drives me is that we can use technology to create real social value. Healthcare affects us all,” says Burie. For Erens, it’s all about quality and reliability. “Our solutions have a direct impact on people’s lives. It’s incredibly motivating when a product works, and end users are enthusiastic.”

Thanks to shared facilities like the TechMed Centre, a robust manufacturing industry, and a culture of collaboration, companies such as Skytron choose to invest in Twente. For international MedTech innovators, this region is more than just an option; it’s a place where innovation thrives and ideas become reality faster.

Next Tech

At the intersection of medicine and technology, Twente’s TechMed Centre accelerates healthcare innovation. Companies, startups, researchers, and students can test and refine breakthroughs here, showing how shared facilities and regional talent drive the next era of medical progress.