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Belgium, Flanders

Stop Being a Pest About It: How AI Can Help Agriculture

Insect pests are a major cause of quality and economic losses in agriculture. Due to policy constraints that aim for a greener future, the use of general pesticides is being phased out, and a push towards species-specific pesticides and biological control methods is being promoted. But these methods require the pest species to first be identified, which is costly. AI could help speed up this process, thus reducing costs and helping us push towards a greener tomorrow.

R&D Real Estate: A Cornerstone of European Innovation

The most visible — yet often overlooked — parts of an innovative ecosystem are the buildings that house research and development activities. Far more than just office space, these physical foundations facilitate the translation of lofty ideas into tangible solutions for society. Kadans Science Partner is one of Europe’s foremost providers of this specialized infrastructure, with a unique community-minded model.

Health Innovation Funding: Spearhead Clusters Lead the Way in Flanders

BioVox spoke with Sara Van Overmeire and Annie Renders of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) about the origin and role of spearhead clusters. VLAIO is the Flemish government’s point of contact for all entrepreneurs in Flanders. It relies on Biovia and other spearhead clusters to bring companies together and support them in setting up innovative projects.

Bioprinting Living Tissues with BIO INX

Belgian startup BIO INX develops bioinks to 3D print cells into living tissues and organ-on-chip technologies. The company is working with academic and industry partners to develop products ranging from artificial corneas to cartilage. The aim: translate academic ideas into to real-world applications with tangible patient impact.

HERAN Partners Raises €90 Million Fund for European Healthtech

Belgian venture capital firm HERAN Partners has announced a €90 million close for its second healthtech-focused fund, HERAN HealthTech Fund II, and says it aims to scale to €110–120 million. The firm invests in early-stage medtech and healthtech companies across Europe, backing technologies designed to make healthcare and life sciences R&D more efficient, data-driven, and scalable.

Belgian Biotech Agomab Debuts on Nasdaq with a $200 Million IPO

Just weeks after announcing its plans for a U.S. listing, Belgium-based Agomab Therapeutics has gone public on Nasdaq, pricing its IPO at $16 per share to raise about $200 million. The stock is now trading under the ticker AGMB, putting the spotlight on fibrosis in what has been a billion-dollar week for biotech IPOs.

Hospitals and Belgian Companies Unite to Shape the Future of Healthcare

On 29 January 2026, 400 Belgian healthcare stakeholders — hospital executives, policymakers, and innovators — gathered in Brussels to help shape the future of healthcare. The objective was to connect hospital needs with the innovative technologies developed by Belgian companies. Two projects were honored during the event’s Innovation Awards: Baby Detect and SIM BLOOD.

To PhD or Not to PhD: A Growing Question in the Life Sciences

An increasing number of PhD students are concerned about their career prospects. Currently, only around 5-10% of PhD graduates remain in academia — the vast majority have to navigate an unfamiliar job market, where industry demand for their highly educated profiles appears to be in decline. Is a PhD still the best route to professional success? And what can students do to prepare themselves?

Before the Fall: Catching Cognitive Decline Early with Citizen Science

In Antwerp, a unique cohort of volunteers is helping to solve one of the world's most urgent medical challenges: the early detection of cognitive decline. While the study is local, its implications are global — providing the long-term data needed to understand the hidden years of decline in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, to enable early diagnosis and intervention.

Nano Crayons: The Atomic Structure of Screens and Solar Panels

Behind the vivid colors of our phone screens and smartwatches lies a world too small for the naked eye to see. But scientists at the University of Antwerp have developed a new method to analyze small changes in the atomic arrangement of the nanomaterials in these kinds of digital displays, which is key to creating stable and efficient materials for solar cells or electronics in the future.

Healthtech Success: An Investor’s Perspective

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.

ATB Therapeutics: Antibody Seeker Missiles for Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases

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.

A New Horizon in Cancer Care: The Promise of Multi-Source Liquid Biopsies

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.

Called to Science with Bart Lambrecht: From medicine to finding focus in fly fishing

VIB’s podcast Called to Science is back for a second season—a series where science journalist Brad Van Paridon sits with researchers to go beyond the science: exploring the passion, setbacks, and big questions that motivate them. In this episode, Bart Lambrecht—director of the VIB Center for Inflammation Research and a practicing physician at Ghent University Hospital—dives into the overlaps between treating patients, running a lab, and the fascination that drives him forward.

Science for Health 2025: How to anchor innovation in Belgium?

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?