The campus, which aspires to grow into an internationally prominent centre for marketing and/or socially ‘activating’ medical and health sciences knowledge, is also entering a new development phase. Maastricht University (UM) and Maastricht University Medical Centre + (MUMC+) will bring all their business development activities in the field of Health and (Life) Sciences to the BL MHC. As such, the campus is responsible for the entire process, from developing ideas or inventions through financing and guiding new businesses. 

Another new development is that the campus will play an active role in managing existing initiatives from UM, Maastricht UMC+ and the Province of Limburg in the field of medical and health sciences research (e.g. Scannexus, Enabling Technologies, LINK). The collaboration with other Brightlands campuses will be intensified.

Prof. Jan Cobbenhagen (52) has extensive experience at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. Since 2015, he has been professor of ‘Knowledge Transfer and University Venturing’; previously, he was professor of ‘Entrepreneurship’ for eight years. For 12.5 years, he held the directorship of UM Holding (strategic investments) and UniVenture, UM’s corporate venture company that funds spinoffs through equity investments. Jan Cobbenhagen is also the director of the UM/MUMC+ Knowledge Transfer Office. His past accomplishments also include setting up and running the UM Centre for Entrepreneurship, as well as the BioPartner Center Maastricht.

BL MHC’s shareholders — the Province of Limburg, Maastricht UMC+ and UM — as well as the BL MHC Supervisory Board are enthusiastic about the appointment of the new CEO and about the new structure of the campus.

Twan Beurskens, Provincial Executive for Economics and Knowledge Infrastructure: ‘The new director 
connects the knowledge of the university and the science and practice of the academic hospital to the business world, and thus nurtures the generation of new industry and employment in Limburg.’

Marja van Dieijen-Visser, President and CEO of the Maastricht UMC+ Executive Board: ‘Jan Cobbenhagen personally combines knowledge and experience with the academic world, particularly the UMC, and the business world. He has excellent contacts with relevant players. I have great confidence in his appointment.’

Martin Paul, UM President:  ‘In Jan Cobbenhagen, the BL MHC gets a director who has made an impressive name for himself in the field of entrepreneurship. When you look at the scientific power that is now concentrated in Maastricht, the Health Campus has the potential to grow into a player of truly international stature. In this context, Prof. Cobbenhagen is the right man in the right place.’

Boy Litjens, Chair of the Supervisory Board of BL MHC: ‘Jan Cobbenhagen is a visionary, academic entrepreneur who, with his knowledge and network with other stakeholders, is going to make an international success of this campus.’