Leiden Bio Science Park is a center of science and innovation, where thousands of people work on the health of the future. Joining forces gives an important advantage here. The OVBSP highlights examples of smart partnerships. This time we speak with Anneke Janson of Vico Therapeutics and Jeroen van der Velden of Amarna Therapeutics, who audit each other’s companies in their role as biological safety officers (BSO).
Partnership
The partnership started years ago, when Anneke was asked to become BSO within Vico. Anneke: ‘I had experience as a coordinator, but now as BSO I had to set up everything myself. I already knew Jeroen, because we used to have offices in the same hallway and greeted each other regularly. I knew he had recently done a BSO course, so I asked him, how do you do this?
Regulation
Biological safety regulations apply to all companies that work with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and are determined by Bureau GGO. Every five years the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) visits the company to check if everything is in order. It is up to the BSO to ensure that all rules are complied with, for example the use and set-up of rooms, procedures and protocols and staff training. A BSO also has a signaling role and therefore performs an audit itself every year.
Small companies
For small companies with lower budgets, it is generally interesting to train one of their own staff as a BSO. A disadvantage is that the BSO within these companies often have multiple roles. Jeroen: ‘I am involved in lab activities as team leader assay development. I find myself in the situation of having to audit those activities myself and that is not optimal’.
Win-Win
Anneke contacted Jeroen at a good moment. Vico and Amarna have the same type of business operations, are similar in size and were at the same point in their development. Anneke: ‘Together we made a plan for an audit and wrote a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). That worked very efficiently, like a checklist. And now they conduct annual audits on each others’ companies, giving them impartial feedback on the situation. A great example of win-win collaboration. But are there any drawbacks? ‘So far we have only benefited,’ says Jeroen. Confidentiality is sealed with NDAs, just like with a hired auditor. Of course, it is possible that we disagree once in a while, but you have to deal with that professionally. Anneke also sees only advantages: ‘I would advise every professional to look for a buddy. You can come in touch with others through the BSO platform, but you can also ask how things are done at your neighbour’s.’