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Discovery and research, Finance and Investment, Industrial application

Dr. Ajit Shetty: breaking down barriers in the life sciences

A veteran of the life sciences industry, Dr. Ajit Shetty continues to have a huge impact on the ecosystem both in Belgium and abroad. Several years after his retirement from top positions in Janssen Pharmaceutica & Johnson and Johnson (as Chair and previously as Managing Director), Shetty is still actively involved in the industry. Awarded the title of Baron by King Albert II of Belgium in 2008 for his services to the sector, and the recipient of Trends ‘Manager of the Year 2004’ and the Life-Time Achievement Award by India (his country of birth), Shetty is a living legend who is still busy shaping the world’s future.

Obesity weighs heavy on healthcare and human lives

Being overweight is not only bad for one’s health – it also costs society a lot of money. Every year, the Belgian government loses at least 4.5 billion euros due to the direct and indirect costs linked to excessive weight and obesity. As with COVID-19, this issue needs to be tackled as a public health concern: the responsibility of both individuals and policymakers.

Spearhead cluster flanders.healthTech turns into MEDVIA and is ready to make a change in healthcare innovation

Dualyx: restoring the body’s balance in autoimmune diseases

Belgian start-up Dualyx is developing a novel approach with the potential to treat a wide range of autoimmune disorders. The method uses llama-derived antibodies to flip a master switch and create regulatory T cells, which help restore order to overzealous immune systems.

Drug development trends: from common to orphan indications… and back again?

Over the past few decades, pharma has gradually shifted its target patient focus for newly launched drugs from large to niche populations. What has caused this trend, and is the pendulum of drug development swinging back again?

V-Bio Ventures raises EUR 110 million for its second fund and expands team

Ghent, Belgium, 31 March 2022 – V-Bio Ventures announced the final closing of its second fund, V-Bio Fund 2, having raised EUR 110 million euro and exceeding its target of EUR 100 million.

miDiagnostics welcomes Nicolas De Clercq as its new Chief Financial Officer

New incubator biotope by VIB launches to support biotech startup teams on their journey to success

Qbic announces first close of new fund at EUR 49 million to invest in spin-offs from world-class knowledge partners

Antimicrobial Resistance – the hidden killer we’re ignoring

Antimicrobial Resistance has become an enormous challenge for global health, yet remains largely ignored by companies. As this deadly race worsens, we urgently need to address the huge mismatch between the need and incentive for developing new antimicrobial drugs.

V-Bio Ventures’ Portfolio Company Precirix raises EUR 80 million in Series B to advance its pipeline of precision radiopharmaceuticals

flanders.healthTech launches 14 unique innovation projects in healthcare

Ghent, Belgium, 10 March 2022 – Following the launch of the cluster flanders.healthTech in 2021, the first round of 14 consortia have started working on innovation projects in healthcare. The projects have received a total of EUR 4.7 million in VLAIO support from Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits to help make a difference in the field of technology and innovation in healthcare.

V-Bio Ventures’ Portfolio Company Syndesi Therapeutics Acquired by AbbVie to Strengthen its Neuroscience Portfolio

When should a biotech hire a CFO?

Many argue that young companies have little need for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). They would say that CFOs are unnecessary and costly add-ons early on when a business’ financial needs can be satisfied through outsourcing or by a more junior member of staff. However a CFO brings a deeper and more strategic financial perspective which can help a company outgrow the competition. So, is delaying CFO recruitment a sensible budgetary decision or an expensive mistake?

Newton Biocapital launches a new fund with initial capital commitments of EUR 50 million and target size of EUR 150 million