Entrepreneur Nutte Van Belzen of CC Diagnostics recently won the 2019 Jonge Ondernemingsprijs (Young Entrepreneur Award). Van Belzen also happens to work as a part-time physician at QPS Netherlands, located in Groningen. A wonderful surprise, this award is a reflection of Van Belzen’s hard work and ambitious spirit.
What is the Young Entrepreneur Award?
The Young Entrepreneur Award is given to talented entrepreneurs from Drenthe, Groningen, and Friesland, who compete for the prize each year. Not only do the winners have the honor of earning this prestigious award, but also it comes with several coveted prizes, including an exclusive masterclass worth €2,500, an advice process from Flinc, a membership from JNO, and an advertisement in Noordz.
To come out on top, Van Belzen had to beat out the other two finalists vying for the title: Jessica Kuiken (of Marketing Crew from Franeker) and Frans Filius (of Grutte Pier Brouweij). The jury of business professionals was unanimous in their decision to give Van Belzen the award, providing this summary of their verdict: “All finalists are unique and good at what they do. The reason that we find Nutte van Belzen the winner is, among other things, that he started being an entrepreneur during his studies. He is both a doctor and an entrepreneur, a special combination. He has developed a test that makes 33 percent fewer errors in the rapid and effective detection of cervical cancer” (source).
Why was CC Diagnostics commended?
Founded by Nutte van Belzen, Jean-Luc Kraaijenoord, and Wisse Krikke when they were students at the University of Groningen, CC Diagnostics developed an innovative methylation test kit that detects early-stage cervical cancer. This new diagnostic test relies on methylated genes and makes use of PCR-technology. Due to its high level of accuracy, it will replace the current triage test, the Pap test (also known as a Pap smear).
The methylation test developed by CC Diagnostics lowers missed cancer cases from 24 percent to just 3 percent. In addition, by reducing false-positives, the test could save the Netherlands an estimated €2.9 million in annual healthcare costs. Last year, Carduso Capital provided the up-and-coming company with an investment to develop the methylation test further.
Since 1995, QPS has provided discovery, preclinical, and clinical drug development services. An award-winning leader focused on bioanalytics and clinical trials, QPS is known for proven quality standards, technical expertise, a flexible approach to research, client satisfaction and turnkey laboratories and facilities. For more information, visit www.qps.com or email info@qps.com.
