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Over the past months, what stood out to us most was not just the pace of progress, but the diversity of ways in which ideas are moving forward. In this Spring 2026 edition of Innovation & Business Signals, we’ve curated the moments that caught our attention: from breakthrough science gaining global recognition and spin offs reaching key milestones, to collaboration opportunities we’re genuinely excited to explore together. 

Prof. Rosa Rademakers, scientific director at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, received the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences together with Bryan Traynor (NIH) for the discovery of the C9orf72 gene expansion as a cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and ALS.
Described as the “Oscars of science”, the prize recognizes discoveries that fundamentally reshape our understanding of disease - making this award a strong reflection of the impact of her work.

Rademakers’ work not only transformed the neurodegeneration field scientifically, but also continues to drive translational and clinical impact. Her research contributed to patented diagnostic methods enabling improved patient stratification in FTD, while ongoing international biomarker collaborations aim to accelerate better diagnosis and therapeutic development in FTD and ALS.

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In each edition, we highlight selected innovations advancing toward translation. The examples below showcase opportunities emerging from VIB’s portfolio that are open to collaboration.

Synaptic dysfunction is an early and critical driver of neurodegenerative disease, yet current therapies largely fail to address it. This VIB innovation takes a first in class approach by targeting synaptogyrin 3 (Syngr3), a key mediator of toxic tau–synapse interactions.

By downregulating Syngr3 using optimized antisense molecules, the program has demonstrated restoration of tau induced synaptic defects, pointing to a disease modifying strategy that acts early, before widespread neuronal damage occurs.

The program is advancing toward validation and seeking partners for further development.

► Join the presentation at Knowledge for Growth on 3 June by Ana Rita Santos

Despite unprecedented volumes of genomic and omics data, drug development still faces high attrition, often due to limited understanding of disease mechanisms at the level of specific cell types. CellTuned addresses this gap through an AI‑driven regulatory genomics platform that links genomic sequence, disease‑associated cell states and their regulatory programs, enabling identification of dysregulated cell states and actionable therapeutic targets with clear biological rationale.
The platform is advancing through pilot programs and industry collaborations, and invites partners to expand its application across therapeutic areas.

► Join the presentation at Knowledge for Growth on 4 June by Liesbeth Minnoye

► Humanized genO hFcγR mouse model – A more predictive preclinical model reflecting human Fcγ receptor biology, enabling improved assessment of antibody efficacy and safety. 

Learn more | Get in touch

► Virotrap - Technology to capture fragile protein-protein interactions in their native cellular context for mass spectrometry analysis. 

Learn more | Get in touch

► VIB Crop Genome Engineering Facility (CGEF) - Advanced genome-editing and transformation platforms to accelerate the development of field-ready, gene-edited crops.

Learn more | Get in touch

From regulatory and clinical milestones to industrial scale up and international visibility, the VIB spin-off landscape maintained strong momentum in early 2026.

► Animab – submitted the EMA dossier for Nanoprotec®, a first-in-class oral monoclonal antibody for ETEC protection in piglets, marking progress toward European market authorization.

► Confo Therapeutics – announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial by Lilly for CFTX-1554, providing strong validation of Confo’s GPCR platform.

► Montis Biosciences – reported encouraging preclinical efficacy and safety data for its lead neuro-autoimmune disease program, supporting further translational development.

► MRM Health – received FDA IND clearance for a Phase 2b clinical trial of its microbiome-based therapy MH002 in ulcerative colitis, alongside Fast Track designation, enabling accelerated development and increased FDA interactions to streamline the review process.

► Augustine Therapeutics – partnered with Inductive Bio to combine HDAC6 inhibitor expertise with AI/ML capabilities, accelerating development of therapies for neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

► Muna Therapeutics – strengthened its neurodegeneration pipeline through both a $1 million Alzheimer’s Association grant supporting development of its oral TREM2 agonist and a €1 million VLAIO grant expanding its MiND-MAP platform into Parkinson’s disease.

► Rainbow Crops – secured a $7 million grant from the Gates Foundation to advance climate-resilient crop development.

► Biotalys – secured €12.05 million through a private placement while advancing industrial readiness through partnerships with 21st.BIO and Syngenta and achieving the first U.S. state registration of EVOCA™ in Florida.

► Protealis – expanded its R&D and market footprint through a strategic collaboration with the University of Guelph, achieved regulatory approval for MagNfix™ and launched new soybean varieties.

Trim Therapeutics, founded in 2024, translates breakthrough structural and functional insights from pioneering work by Prof. Lucía Chávez-Gutiérrez and VIB Discovery Sciences into a novel disease‑modifying approach for Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the gamma‑secretase (GSEC) complex to shift amyloid β peptide profiles toward shorter, less pathogenic forms.
While gamma‑secretase modulation has been explored before, earlier programs failed due to safety limitations linked to insufficient structural insight. Trim’s breakthrough lies in its proprietary cryo‑EM structures, molecular dynamics and integrated computational–experimental toolbox, enabling – for the first time – a truly rational, structure‑guided design of next‑generation GSMs suitable for chronic treatment.
These advances led to the launch of Trim Therapeutics by VIB and V‑Bio Ventures, supported by ~€4 million in seed funding (VIB, V‑Bio, Gemma Frisius Fund and HTGF) and is currently raising its Series A to advance toward clinical development. Get in touch

In early 2026, VIB remained actively engaged across science, innovation, policy and capital, as Europe’s life sciences ecosystem adapts to a more competitive global environment.

Together with Biovia and One Nucleus, VIB hosted the first Flanders–UK Immunology & Immunotherapy Partnering Forum, bringing together scientists, founders, investors and policymakers. Discussions highlighted the importance of strong teams, biology-driven collaboration, enabling infrastructure, and early alignment between science and capital. 

Building on these strong ties, VIB and The Francis Crick Institute have established a strategic partnership to accelerate translational research through joint project development, technology transfer and licensing. 

VIB joined the newly launched European Life Sciences Coalition, advocating for deeper capital markets and better scale up conditions to turn Europe’s scientific excellence into globally competitive companies. 

This ambition was echoed during a visit to VIB by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and VITO, where founders and institutions highlighted that despite a tougher environment, the drive to build and scale globally from Europe remains strong.

Biotech security and public health resilience remain key priorities, with VIB contributing to the Flemish VISD framework to address emerging risks and strengthen preparedness. 

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► VISD webinar: Funding opportunities for defense and dual‑use technologies: 28 May, 12:00

Register here

► Knowledge for Growth - VISD launch session: 3 June, 11:00 

Over the coming months, VIB colleagues will connect with partners and investors at key events.

► Knowledge for Growth (3–4 June, Antwerp) - Register here

► BIO International Convention (22–25 June, San Diego) - Register here

► US mission to Boston (21–24 September), with Biovia and Flanders Investment & Trade

Interested in connecting with U.S. investors and partners through a focused program around fundraising, partnerships and U.S. market entry in the world’s leading biotech hub?

Register here

► Biocentury Grand Rounds Europe (23–25 September, Amsterdam) - Register here

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