Researchers have identified the bitter substances in Belgian endives and chicory. Using the gene-editing technique CRISPR/Cas9, they have also succeeded in eliminating them. The result is a less bitter vegetable that may be more appetizing to children and adults alike. The catch? Outdated EU gene editing laws present a major roadblock for any company looking to actually produce the vegetables in Europe.
As the number of people struggling with hearing impairment is one the rise, KU Leuven researchers are attempting to develop smart hearing aids that use brainwaves to help users home in on specific conversations, cutting through the noise in chaotic situations like a busy family dinner.
Ghent, Belgium, 27 January 2022 - V-Bio Ventures, a venture capital company that focuses specifically on the segment of young pioneering biotech companies, has increased the capital of its second fund V-Bio Fund 2 to 96 million euros. The fundraising will continue for several months, and the fund managers expect the target of EUR 100 million will be achieved.
Mechelen, Belgium, January 25, 2022 - Belgian company ElmediX is developing intensive and controlled heat treatments for the treatment of cancer. A new capital injection of 4M euros brings the total to almost 12M euros (including VLAIO research grants worth 1.8M euros) and accelerates the trajectory of this innovative MedTech company.
As part of the ‘Health & Biotech Valley of Tomorrow’ initiative, the Belgian government recently signed a charter together with stakeholders from academia and industry, pledging to cement Belgium’s status as a biotech powerhouse in the next 10 to 20 years. Over the next few months, working groups will translate recommendations of a consultancy report into a concrete strategic plan for the future of the country. Amongst other topics, experts will evaluate ways to encourage more collaboration, provide financial stimuli, and make better use of health data.
Long COVID is a less talked-about aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet its impact on society is already profound. Although this problem is still largely flying under the radar of the life sciences industry, a couple of first movers have already initiated clinical programs to address the condition. If more companies move into this space, long COVID may prove a catalyst for R&D in other related and underserved indications, like chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ghent, Belgium, 9 December 2021 – Corteria Pharmaceuticals, a French biotechnology company specialized in the development of interceptive therapies for heart failure subpopulations, today announced the successful completion of its Seed round, providing EUR 12 million to pursue the development of a series of programs in-licensed from Sanofi S.A. (Paris, France). The seed round was led by Kurma Partners and includes V-Bio Ventures, Omnes Capital, and InVivo Capital. As part of the financing, Thierry Laugel (Chair) and Peter Neubeck from Kurma Partners, Ward Capoen from V-Bio Ventures, Claire Poulard from Omnes Capital, and Luis Pareras from InVivo Capital Health will join the Board of Directors.
Aging will affect each and every one of us at some point; it is part of the covenant of life. However, just as we have learned to treat and prevent various forms of cancers and cardiovascular diseases, there are numerous ways which we can improve peoples’ health spans. Rejuvenate Biomed is a young Belgian company in this field, leveraging safe prescription drugs to improve cell resilience and help us stay well for longer.
Researchers have identified the bitter substances in Belgian endives and chicory. Using the gene-editing technique CRISPR/Cas9, they have also succeeded in eliminating them. The result is a less bitter vegetable that may be more appetizing to children and adults alike. The catch? Outdated EU gene editing laws present a major roadblock for any company looking to actually produce the vegetables in Europe.
As the number of people struggling with hearing impairment is one the rise, KU Leuven researchers are attempting to develop smart hearing aids that use brainwaves to help users home in on specific conversations, cutting through the noise in chaotic situations like a busy family dinner.
Ghent, Belgium, 27 January 2022 - V-Bio Ventures, a venture capital company that focuses specifically on the segment of young pioneering biotech companies, has increased the capital of its second fund V-Bio Fund 2 to 96 million euros. The fundraising will continue for several months, and the fund managers expect the target of EUR 100 million will be achieved.
Mechelen, Belgium, January 25, 2022 - Belgian company ElmediX is developing intensive and controlled heat treatments for the treatment of cancer. A new capital injection of 4M euros brings the total to almost 12M euros (including VLAIO research grants worth 1.8M euros) and accelerates the trajectory of this innovative MedTech company.
As part of the ‘Health & Biotech Valley of Tomorrow’ initiative, the Belgian government recently signed a charter together with stakeholders from academia and industry, pledging to cement Belgium’s status as a biotech powerhouse in the next 10 to 20 years. Over the next few months, working groups will translate recommendations of a consultancy report into a concrete strategic plan for the future of the country. Amongst other topics, experts will evaluate ways to encourage more collaboration, provide financial stimuli, and make better use of health data.
Long COVID is a less talked-about aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet its impact on society is already profound. Although this problem is still largely flying under the radar of the life sciences industry, a couple of first movers have already initiated clinical programs to address the condition. If more companies move into this space, long COVID may prove a catalyst for R&D in other related and underserved indications, like chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ghent, Belgium, 9 December 2021 – Corteria Pharmaceuticals, a French biotechnology company specialized in the development of interceptive therapies for heart failure subpopulations, today announced the successful completion of its Seed round, providing EUR 12 million to pursue the development of a series of programs in-licensed from Sanofi S.A. (Paris, France). The seed round was led by Kurma Partners and includes V-Bio Ventures, Omnes Capital, and InVivo Capital. As part of the financing, Thierry Laugel (Chair) and Peter Neubeck from Kurma Partners, Ward Capoen from V-Bio Ventures, Claire Poulard from Omnes Capital, and Luis Pareras from InVivo Capital Health will join the Board of Directors.
Aging will affect each and every one of us at some point; it is part of the covenant of life. However, just as we have learned to treat and prevent various forms of cancers and cardiovascular diseases, there are numerous ways which we can improve peoples’ health spans. Rejuvenate Biomed is a young Belgian company in this field, leveraging safe prescription drugs to improve cell resilience and help us stay well for longer.