Universities and regional development agencies in the Meuse Rhine Triangle have joined forces in order to strengthen the regional life sciences cluster more efficiently. Their aim is to promote cross-border cooperation, to bring together science and business and to attract foreign investors. Seven partners aim to create a 'Silicon Valley' of medical technology and biotechnology in the cross-border region. The European Union has been supporting the initiative 'Heartbeat of Life Sciences in Europe –Meuse Rhine Triangle' in the framework of INTERREG III. For more than 3 years the regional development agency of the Aachen region, AGIT, is co-ordinating the activities.