Europe’s healthtech scene is buzzing, with innovators racing to re-shape how we prevent, diagnose and treat disease. Many of the field’s brightest stars will gather at the HealthTech Investor Summit in December to connect, compare notes and compete for attention. Ahead of the event, we asked one of the participating investors, Vlaamse Investeringsmaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV) what they’re scouting for in Europe’s future healthtech champions.
Recently at the Medicon Valley Alliance Summit in Copenhagen, the spotlight was on European competitiveness. In a keynote, panelists from four of Europe’s leading life sciences hubs shared their intention to establish a “Champions League” of clusters, working as a team to strengthen health innovation for Europe as a whole.
Antibodies have long held promise as a ‘magic bullet’ for cancer therapies, yet many antibody-drug conjugates face issues with toxicity and resistance. Belgian startup ATB Therapeutics is producing a new type of weaponized antibodies, using plants as mini factories for safe, effective cancer and autoimmune treatments.
For the many women who develop metastatic breast cancer, treatment options are increasingly determined using blood-based diagnostics. But there are many other bodily fluids that can also be screened, potentially opening doors to new therapies for these patients. This broader approach to testing could improve clinical trial designs and be extended to other cancer types.
To truly improve patients’ lives through personalized medicine, the seeds of innovation must be sown, and its capacity must be grown. Europe undoubtedly excels as an R&D hub, yet we fall behind when transforming ideas into tangible products and services. So how can we create an environment where personalized medicine can flourish and deliver real solutions for patients? That question was the focus of a recent meeting at the European Parliament where the PRECISEU consortium brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of the field.
What makes a biotech company soar or crash? Usually, people cite a combination of cutting-edge science, experienced team, smart business strategy and adequate funding. But there is another less obvious factor that is equally critical for company performance: the internal dynamics of the team. So how can a company create a culture of constructive disagreement to foster better decision-making?
After 30 years of schizophrenia, a Danish woman found freedom through virtual reality therapy. Now the startup behind it HekaVR is changing the face of mental health care. This emotional story of success will be shared in a keynote at the HealthTech Investor Summit on 8-10 December in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Belgium puts a lot of resources into research and innovation, supporting the creation of spinouts and startups with brilliant potential health solutions. But as they grow, most of those companies eventually hit a point where local support isn’t enough—they have to look beyond Europe for their manufacturing, clinical trials, and funding needs. How can Belgium close this gap so companies can stay and thrive in Europe?
Germany has long been considered a “sleeping giant” in European biotech—full of promise, but slow to rise. The country boasts world-class research institutions, a strong industrial base, and a rich pool of scientific talent. Yet for years, Germany has lagged behind smaller neighbors like Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland when it comes to biotech start-up activity, early-stage investment, and company creation. But now, a shift may be underway—what will it take for the German giant to stir?
Pharmacovigilance rarely makes headlines—until something goes wrong. A missed signal or a lack of coordination can have serious consequences when dealing with drugs. In today’s globalized biopharma landscape, pharmacovigilance isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a critical safeguard for both companies and the patients they serve. So how can companies improve their project governance to keep everyone safe?
Belgium’s flagship “biology meets technology” conference returns to Brussels this fall with a clear message: collaboration is key to keeping Europe at the front of health innovation. On 4 November 2025, Science for Health will explore how Belgium’s regional strengths and synergies can be combined to accelerate ATMP and new modalities—such as radioligand therapies and digital health solutions—to reinforce the country's global position in biotech and healthtech.
Buses full of innovators, lab doors wide open and conversations to spark collaboration—that was the vibe for BioWin on Tour on 24 September 2025, co-organized with AWEX. It was a whirlwind visit, with fifty international delegates from nine countries visiting two of Wallonia’s flagship science hubs—LégiaPark and BioPark Charleroi—discovering the region’s twin strengths of ATMPs and nuclear medicine.
Biovia is Europe’s first industry-led One Health innovation cluster—uniting medical biotech, medtech, digital health, agtech and industrial biotech to advance human and planetary health. Katrien Lorré explains how this unified approach benefits companies by unlocking opportunities and fostering a better environment for health innovation.
Bringing a life science innovation to market is a complex journey, one that requires more than just scientific expertise. It involves working through a demanding regulatory landscape, managing clinical trials, ensuring operational compliance, and maintaining a continuous focus on quality. BioVox’s partner the QbD Group understands these challenges firsthand, because they’ve been guiding life science companies towards success for over a decade.
In the space of just a few years, MRM Health has transformed from a challenger in the emerging microbiome therapeutics field to a global forerunner. CEO Sam Possemiers has steered the Belgian company through the rollercoaster of scientific uncertainty and investor skepticism to reach what he calls the “slope of enlightenment.” Now, with late-stage clinical trials ahead and a new important funding round within reach, Possemiers is sharing his lessons-learned with other biotech CEOs.