People behind the progress |
Celebrating Melinda's 30 years of dedication at VIB |
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Having joined the organization in November 1995, Melinda has witnessed VIB's journey from a small pioneering team gathered around a picnic table to the internationally recognized life sciences institute it is today. In a special anniversary interview, Melinda reflects on the early days, memorable milestones, the evolution of her role, and the people and culture that have shaped VIB over the past three decades. |
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► Read the full story here
► Join us for celebrating 30 years of VIB at our anniversary event on 8 October 2026 |
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Emerging opportunities | Signals from the frontier |
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New ideas, technologies and ventures continue to expand the boundaries of what is possible in life sciences. Here are some of the opportunities taking shape across the VIB ecosystem. |
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Entropa - A new approach to tackling undruggable targets |
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Many disease-relevant proteins remain out of reach for conventional drug discovery because their binding pockets are hidden within their folded structure.
Entropa is pioneering a novel approach to drug discovery by targeting proteins during the folding process, enabling access to transient binding sites that are inaccessible in mature protein structures. Built on decades of research by Professors Rousseau and Schymkowitz in protein misfolding and conformational biology, Entropa combines a proprietary computational platform with deep biological insight and drug development expertise to unlock new therapeutic opportunities. |
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Allosteris - A differentiated approach to treat autoimmune disease |
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Allosteris is a VIB venture in formation based on technology developed in the Steyaert lab. The company is developing a novel class of positive allosteric modulating (PAM) antibodies that enhance inhibitory immune checkpoint signaling in autoimmune diseases through ligand-dependent activity. Unlike conventional agonists, Allosteris’ PAM antibodies amplify signaling only when and where the natural ligand is present, offering a differentiated approach that combines efficacy with spatiotemporal selectivity. Supported by proof-of-concept and in vivo validation across multiple immune checkpoint targets, the team is approaching lead nomination for its flagship program while raising capital to launch the company and advance its pipeline. |
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► Join the presentation of Reginald Brys at BioCentury Grand Rounds Europe (24-25 September) |
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Need species-level microbiome insights instead of genus-level results? |
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The VIB Nucleomics Core has expanded its microbiome sequencing portfolio with Kinnex 16S Full-Length Profiling on PacBio Revio, enabling researchers to achieve species-level resolution in microbiome studies. By sequencing the full 16S rRNA gene, the approach improves the identification of closely related species and rare
taxa, making it valuable for applications ranging from pathogen detection to microbiome-disease research.
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► Learn more |
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► Contact: nucleomicscore@vib.be |
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Spin-off pulse | Signals of progress |
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From funding rounds and strategic partnerships to clinical, regulatory and leadership milestones, VIB spin-offs continued to build momentum over the past few months. |
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► Orionis Biosciences expanded its molecular glue collaboration with Novartis, securing a $40 million upfront payment and up to $1.4 billion in potential milestone payments. |
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► Rainbow Crops raised a €9.7 million seed round to further develop its Trait Foundry™ platform, an AI-driven multiplex gene-editing technology for next-generation crops. |
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► Confo Therapeutics presented encouraging preclinical data for its post-bariatric hypoglycemia candidate CFTX-2034 at ENDO 2026. |
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► Tanai Therapeutics appointed Josua Jordi as Chief Executive Officer, bringing extensive company-building and drug discovery experience, including leadership roles in obesity-focused biotech and metabolism research at Roche. |
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► Muna Therapeutics appointed Michel Detheux, former CEO of iTeos Therapeutics, as Chief Executive Officer as the company advances its clinical pipeline. |
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► MRM Health reported progress on multiple fronts, securing a €2.6 million VLAIO research grant to advance microbiome-based therapeutics, progressing its lead candidate MH002 through Phase 2b clinical development, and strengthening its board with the appointments of Michel Detheux as Chairman and Hans-Jürgen Wörle as Independent Director. |
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► Biotalys moved closer to the registration of EVOCA™ in California with the start of the public consultation process. |
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► Aphea.Bio announced a research partnership with Bayer to co-develop bioinsecticides targeting sap-sucking insects. |
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Ecosystem watch | Signals shaping the landscape |
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BE-AIFA opens the door to Europe's AI infrastructure |
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VIB has joined the Belgian AI Factory Antenna (BE-AIFA), giving Belgian companies and researchers access to Europe's leading AI and supercomputing infrastructure, including LUMI and JUPITER, as well as training and support services to accelerate AI-driven innovation in life sciences and beyond. |
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► Learn more |
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► Launch event: 16 September 2026, Brussels | Register here |
Nucleate Belgium supporting the next generation of biotech founders |
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Nucleate Belgium is the newest chapter of the world's largest trainee-led life sciences entrepreneurship network. Through its flagship Activator program, students, PhD researchers and postdocs receive training, mentorship and access to the biotech ecosystem to help translate scientific discoveries into startups. |
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► Learn more |
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► Launch event: 29 October 2026 | Register here |
ELSC advocates for Europe's life sciences future |
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As a member of the European Life Sciences Coalition (ELSC), VIB joined more than 200 investors, companies and research organisations in calling for more capital for Europe's life sciences ecosystem, faster pathways from science to patients, and stronger European capital markets to help innovative companies grow and remain in Europe. |
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► Open letter |
Europe adopts new NGT framework for plant innovation |
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VIB welcomed Europe's new framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which creates a clearer pathway for developing innovative crop varieties. The legislation is expected to support more resilient and sustainable crops while maintaining high safety standards. VIB contributed to the policy discussions through the EU-SAGE network. |
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► Learn more |
Ghent joins the world's top innovation ecosystem |
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Ghent has entered the Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index 2026 as the only Belgian ecosystem in the ranking, placing #10 worldwide and #4 in Europe among the Density Leaders. The recognition reflects Ghent's strength in innovation, entrepreneurship and university-driven growth, with life sciences highlighted as a key differentiator, spanning world-leading biotech to fast-growing health tech. |
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► Learn more |
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On the road |
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Over the coming months, VIB colleagues will connect with partners and investors at key events. |
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► Hardware in Life Sciences (21 September, Ghent – invite only) organized by VIB, IMEC and Comate: Breaking the boundaries in bioconvergence |
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► US mission to Boston (21–24 September, Boston), organized by Biovia, Flanders Investment & Trade, VIB and Advanced Master in Biotech & MedTech Ventures: Connecting Flemish life sciences with the US investment ecosystem |
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► Biocentury Grand Rounds Europe (23-25 September, Amsterdam) |
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► Defense Innovation in Flanders Day (27 October, Mechelen) |
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