4th LEARN & CONNECT SEMINAR IN THE LEIDEN BIOSCIENCE PARK - NETHERLANDS

Bringing Innovation and Collaboration to the Forefront of Bioprocessing

On October 8, 2025, Securecell welcomed researchers, industry experts, and technology partners to the fourth edition of the Learn & Connect Seminar at the Biopartner Center in Leiden, the Netherlands. Under the theme “Advancing Upstream Bioprocessing through Digitalization and Automation,” the event brought together innovators from academia and industry to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore how digital solutions are shaping the future of bioprocessing.

For the first time, the seminar was held as a full-day program, reflecting the growing interest in data-driven bioprocess technologies and the expanding Securecell community in Europe. With around 50 participants, the event featured a dynamic mix of scientific presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive discussions — all centered on the question of how to make bioprocess development smarter, faster, and more connected.

A particular highlight was the live demonstration of Securecell’s Numera autosampler and Lucullus process information management software at the Biotech Training Facility (BTF). This hands-on session showcased the power of automation and real-time data integration in modern bioprocess environments, sparking lively discussions on the opportunities for digital transformation in upstream processing.

Behind the scenes, the success of the seminar was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Mohi Ahmadinia, Rowin Timmermans, and Martijn Verschuren, who ensured smooth organization and a welcoming atmosphere throughout the day. Their meticulous preparation, together with the enthusiasm of our partners and sponsors, created an event that was both informative and inspiring — reaffirming Securecell’s commitment to advancing bioprocess innovation through collaboration.

The day began with a warm welcome and coffee, giving participants a chance to connect before the program officially started.

The morning session opened with Dr. Marieke Klijn from Delft University of Technology, who presented her work on Raman spectroscopy as a Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for upstream bioprocessing. Her talk highlighted the technique’s potential to monitor key parameters in real time and discussed challenges around calibration and data interpretation.

She was followed by Dr. Bianca Consorti Bussamra from Johnson & Johnson, who shared insights on bridging the gap between laboratory and manufacturing environments using process models. Her presentation sparked thoughtful discussion on how model-driven process design can streamline technology transfer and improve reproducibility at scale.

After a short coffee break, participants headed to the Biotech Training Facility (BTF) for a guided tour and a live demonstration of Securecell’s Numera and Lucullus systems. This hands-on session was one of the day’s highlights, allowing attendees to see firsthand how automation and digitalization come together in real-world bioprocessing scenarios.

Following lunch and networking with the sponsors, the afternoon session featured Christiaan Mooiman, also from TU Delft, who spoke about automation in academic research and shared how his lab integrates Lucullus into flexible experimental setups to enable smarter, more consistent data collection.

Next, Dr. Jacopo Zini from the University of Helsinki presented on innovative UV-Vis spectroscopy approaches. He explored methods to handle complex samples and wide concentration ranges, emphasizing how these analytical techniques support modern bioprocess monitoring and product quality assessment.

A later talk by Dr. Wouter W. Woud from ExoVectory delved into small-scale bioreactor cultivation of HEK293 cells for extracellular vesicle production. His results compared shaker flask and mini bioreactor systems, showing higher yields and consistent product quality in controlled automated environments — perfectly aligned with the seminar’s digitalization theme.

Between sessions, participants enjoyed coffee and refreshments while engaging with the event’s sponsors — DataHow AG, Nova Biomedical, Repligen Corporation, Kuhner Shaker, and INDATECH — who also gave short presentations showcasing their latest innovations and technologies.

The day concluded with an informal networking session over drinks and snacks, providing a relaxed atmosphere for further conversations and new partnerships to form. The energy and enthusiasm in the room reflected how much value participants found in the event.

What Made This Event Stand Out

A full-day format for deeper engagement
Expanding the event to a full day created more space for meaningful conversations, in-depth demonstrations, and reflection. Participants appreciated the balanced rhythm between talks, tours, and networking opportunities.

Strong technical content and real-world relevance
The presentations covered the full spectrum of bioprocess innovation — from PAT and modeling to automation and advanced analytics — showing how digitalization is being applied across academic and industrial settings.

Seamless organization and teamwork
The Biopartner Center provided an excellent venue within the Leiden Bio Science Park, and the Securecell operations team ensured everything ran smoothly, from logistics and catering to technical support. Their professionalism was frequently mentioned in participant feedback.

Valuable outcomes for the future
The seminar not only strengthened Securecell’s relationships within the bioprocess community but also generated new leads, collaboration ideas, and interest from potential future sponsors. Several participants expressed their desire to contribute to or present at the next edition — a clear sign of the event’s impact.

Looking Ahead

The Learn & Connect Seminar has grown into a recognized platform for dialogue and innovation in bioprocess digitalization. This year’s success in Leiden highlights the growing momentum behind data-driven bioprocessing and the value of bringing people together to share expertise and inspiration.

Securecell would like to thank all speakers, sponsors, and participants for contributing to a memorable and insightful event. Special recognition goes to the Securecell Netherlands team, whose hard work and dedication ensured that every detail came together perfectly.

We look forward to continuing these conversations — and to welcoming even more members of the bioprocessing community at the next Learn & Connect seminar in 2026.

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