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How the ‘Google Maps’ of human cells could change the future of globally inclusive medicine

The Human Cell Atlas is an international effort to create a map of the 37 trillion cells of the healthy human body cell by cell, tissue by tissue. If that sounds like an overwhelming task, you’d be right… But with researchers now leveraging high-throughput single-cell and spatial transcriptomic technologies to investigate cells from diverse human populations, we’re creeping ever closer to our destination and the ‘cell nav’ of the future. Read on to find out where we are and where we’re heading on our journey on one of the most transformative scientific endeavors since the complete sequencing of the human genome. Thankfully, visions like One Health aim to lead multiple sectors, disciplines, and communities in the right direction to find sustainable non-human-centric solutions to these challenges. Let’s take a look at what One Health is and how the EU and Belgium are playing their part.

Biovia: the new health innovation cluster for human and planetary health

A fresh chapter in Flemish healthtech and life sciences has begun with the launch of Biovia: the health innovation cluster resulting from the merger of flanders.bio and MEDVIA. Unveiled at Knowledge for Growth, the flagship annual conference of the Flemish life sciences sector, this new industry-driven organization brings more than 450 members together in one unified ecosystem – cultivating connections and forging a path to a healthier future for people and planet.

Welcome to the Dark Genome: The next untapped frontier of medicine

The vast majority of drug development focuses on the two percent of the human genome that codes for proteins. While functional proteins are obvious low-hanging fruits for therapeutics, an untapped world of potent drug targets patiently waits in the shadows. Now, researchers and pharmaceutical companies from Belgium and beyond are gradually unraveling the secrets of the dark genome to find novel medicines for a wide range of disorders, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and obesity.

A double-edged sword: VC timelines are getting longer in biotech

The biotechnology sector has always been characterized by long, uncertain timelines. But with increasing scientific, regulatory, and market complexities, biotech development is now taking longer and costing more than ever before. Investors are being faced with a growing gap between initial investment and successful exit, and it’s vital for entrepreneurs to know how to handle this shift.

The intertwined nature of human and animal health

The world is more interconnected than ever. But our global network goes beyond humans: the health of all people on Earth is intimately dependent on the wellbeing of our ecosystems – our animals, plants, microbes, and the atmosphere that sustains us all. In this article, Belgian veterinary scientist Jan Spaas shares his thoughts on the ‘One Health’ approach from the WHO, and the bi-directional link between human and animal health.

When ignorance isn’t bliss – more knowledge is crucial to combat deadly Candida auris fungus 

Infectious diseases are commonly associated with bacteria and viruses. However, fungi should also be added to this list as there is growing concern that antifungal resistance could be the next global challenge. Moreover, because fungi are eukaryotic like humans, developing targeted treatments without causing toxicity to the host presents a significant challenge. The World Health Organization has recently published its first list of health-threatening fungi. This list aims to promote research to enhance the global response to fungal infections and the growing issue of antifungal resistance. One ‘high-priority’ fungus in particular, Candida auris, has mycologists holding their breath due to its rapid global spread and multidrug resistance.

Biodiversity on the brink: How environmental DNA can help 

Environments are scattered with the DNA of the organisms that inhabit them. Analyzing this DNA could shine a spotlight on how our planet’s biodiversity is changing, from studies in the depths of the oceans to the frigid polar regions. From a One Health perspective, biodiversity is crucial to promoting healthy ecosystems and healthy people. But, while methods that sequence environmental DNA (eDNA) are increasingly powerful in detecting species without direct observation, we need increasingly powerful algorithms to make sense of the complex DNA world around us to truly protect our planet's biodiversity.

Fighting antimicrobial resistance: How public and private investment is essential 

The UN has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) one of the ten major threats to humanity. In Belgium, AMR is associated with around 8000 deaths per year and contributes to an estimated 4.95 million global human deaths annually, set to almost double by 2050. Unfortunately, there are worryingly few novel antimicrobials in development, and even fewer are currently available to patients with severe infections who need them most. Why?

Drug Repurposing: Finding New Roles for Old Medicines 

Drug repurposing describes the process where drugs originally designed for one condition turn out to be highly effective for another. Historically, drug repurposing has often occurred by chance. However, in the era of big data and artificial intelligence, new data-driven opportunities are arising to discover new roles for old medicines and help patients in unexpected ways.

The race for biotech talent – innovate or fall behind 

Belgium has long been and remains a global leader in biotech and biopharma, for now at least. The question is: can it maintain that position? Talent and know-how have been key drivers of the country’s success, yet the system supplying both is under pressure. Job openings in the biotech and pharma sectors are growing faster than the educational system can keep up, creating a persistent talent shortage. However, it's not simply a matter of numbers. As the skills needed to support and advance local innovations evolve – AI integration being a prime example – how can we adapt our educational approach while ensuring its stability? This is a question that needs to be answered in order to stay at the forefront of innovation.

From lab to market: the life cycle of a biotech startup 

From initial discovery to market-ready product, biotech development is a complex multi-phase process, where strategic partnerships, continuous innovation and careful navigation of regulatory landscapes are crucial for long-term success. Despite this complexity (or perhaps because of it), entrepreneurs and VCs seldom take a step back to consider the full trajectory of this journey. In this article, we’ll explore the typical life cycle of a biotech startup, examining the key milestones and hurdles encountered along the way.

Chairing is caring: how endowed chairs align industry and academia to build a better future  

Like two sides of the same coin, industry and academia are each aiming to progress science. On their own, they accomplish great results, but only together can they really drive innovation. One way to reap the fruits from this partnership are endowed chairs. By exchanging resources and independence for publicity and innovative insights, both can contribute to a happier and healthier society.

New advances in the fight against sepsis 

Sepsis is a serious condition where the body responds improperly to an infection. Every 2.8 seconds, someone dies of sepsis globally, yet no direct therapies exist beyond supportive care. Many clinical trials have investigated the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) as a potential therapeutic target, but anti-TNF therapy has not proven to be a breakthrough in the sepsis field. Therefore, understanding how TNF triggers this devastating condition could be of help for millions of people worldwide.

Belgian innovation in microfluidics: A revolution for diagnostics and cell therapy?  

Microfluidics is a technology that allows researchers to precisely manipulate and control tiny amounts of fluids within networks of channels typically smaller than a human hair. The approach is now achieving the extreme miniaturization necessary to truly enter the ‘lab-on-a-chip’ era, with profound implications for biological research and human health.

Aiming for Europe, but starting with the world – how restrictive EU legislation drives biotech innovation in agrifood abroad

Meeting the needs of a growing global population while addressing the clear demand for a more sustainable food supply is challenging but not impossible. Innovative biotechnological tools are constantly being created, and they are increasingly available on the market. However, the industry is in desperate need of support, as EU legislation can act as more of a hurdle than a facilitator, hindering local advancement. flanders.bio is committed to advocating for the sector and highlights the most pressing challenges in their latest policy paper.