A team of researchers led by Patrik Verstreken (VIB–KU Leuven) have identified an underlying mechanism in early onset Parkinson’s. Using flies, mice and patient cells, the team focused on cardiolipin, a fat unique to cells’ mitochondria, organelles that produce energy. They demonstrated that reducing the effects of the protein FASN influences the mitochondria, leading to increased cardiolipin levels and reduced Parkinson’s symptoms. These results could pave the way to therapies for Parkinson’s disease that target lipids. The team’s research was published in the scientific magazine Journal of Cell Biology.

Women’s health expert Mithra Pharmaceuticals today announces that it has been granted EUR 1.9 million in non-dilutive funding from the Walloon Region. The grant follows a decision by the region's Vice President and Minister for Economy, Industry, Innovation and New Technologies, Mr Jean-Claude Marcourt.

Life-sciences go through a number of data challenges that force the scientific community to rethink many aspects of data management. To encounter these challenges and to share data amongst European researchers, the ELIXIR initiative was launched. ELIXIR is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together life-science resources from across Europe. It coordinates, integrates and sustains bioinformatics resources across its member states and enables users in academia and industry to access vital services for their research. Belgium recently joined ELIXIR as a full member. The Belgian ELIXIR node is coordinated by the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology.

This year, Galapagos will hire seventy new employees. Galapagos is growing so fast, that the company staff no longer fits into one building. "Since last year, we are located in two buildings in the industrial zone Mechelen Noord. We are currently looking for a larger building in Mechelen," says Evelyn Fox, spokeswoman for Galapagos. "There are 180 people working in Mechelen, and this number will be increased with seventy extra empolyess. We are especially looking for doctors, project managers and people who are skilled in legislation. These people should have the necessary experience."

MDxHealth today announced that it has been awarded a US Government Services Administration (GSA) supply contract to use ConfirmMDx for Prostate Cancer within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In the Phase II TITAN study, treatment with caplacizumab significantly reduced the time to platelet count normalisation and the number of recurrences of aTTP while on drug treatment. Post-hoc analysis of the TITAN study demonstrated that caplacizumab dramatically reduced the number of patients experiencing major thromboembolic events while on drug treatment. Ablynx is on track to report results of the confirmatory Phase III HERCULES study in the second half of 2017 and these results are expected to support a BLA filing in the United States in 2018. Ablynx intends to lead the commercialisation of caplacizumab in Europe and North America.

Confo Therapeutics is awarded EUR 2.6M in non-dilutive funding for the discovery of new fibrosis treatments and for expanding the use of its unique Confo® technology

​In the human body, so-called dendritic cells are responsible for activating our immune system. While researchers previously believed that tumors could repress these dendritic cells – blocking an adequate natural cancer defense mechanism – a new study has painted a more positive picture. A team led by prof. Jo Van Ginderachter (VIB-Vrije Universiteit Brussel) revealed that two immune response-stimulating dendritic cell types do exist within tumors. The scientists were able to isolate these cells and use them to “vaccinate” tumors, slowing tumor growth. This success could lead to innovative new cancer immunotherapies. The results of the study are published in the high-impact journal Nature Communications.

Following successful trials demonstrating bioequivalence to Nuvaring, Mithra Pharmaceuticals sets in motion the next steps to bring its Myring to the market.