Subscribe
Subscribe
Picture of BioVox

BioVox

With a local focus and global reach, the news platform BioVox shares insights into the Benelux life sciences ecosystem with readers across the world. BioVox is powered by Biovia: the health innovation cluster for Flanders.
Picture of BioVox

BioVox

With a local focus and global reach, the news platform BioVox shares insights into the Benelux life sciences ecosystem with readers across the world. BioVox is powered by Biovia: the health innovation cluster for Flanders.

Causal AI in healthcare: a black box revelation?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have great potential to improve people’s lives. From supporting data analysis in research to providing more accurate and quicker diagnostic tools. But their interior workings are questioned by many and understood by few. New models are needed to solve current shortcomings and causal AI might be our way out. By offering a peek inside the black box, it creates opportunities to implement AI in high-risk settings such as healthcare. But how far along are we and where is this journey taking us?

Flanders as a knowledge hub in the current Benelux life sciences ecosystem

At the heart of Europe, Benelux is like a drop of ink spreading its influence internationally; an in-depth study conducted by KBC Securities placed Belgium as Europe’s leading country for biotech in 2024. This year's edition of Knowledge for Growth, hosted by the life sciences cluster flanders.bio celebrating their 20th anniversary, highlighted the vibrant Flemish life sciences ecosystem. The event took place in Antwerp, Belgium on May 15th and 16th, where industry professionals, scientists, investors, policymakers, and more gathered to share their knowledge and insights and answer why the region of Flanders, and the Benelux overall, are doing so well in this vibrant landscape.

How microalgae could help us move towards a more sustainable tomorrow

Microalgae have been proposed as a potential source for numerous products, ranging from proteins used in nutrition to mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA) that could be used in sunscreens to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. However, one of the major constraints to using microalgae-based products is their low production of high-value products like MAA. GeneBEcon, a Horizon Europe-funded project, investigates the potential to increase the production of valuable compounds in microalgae through gene editing in order to enable a more sustainable bioeconomy in Europe.

From successful conception to a healthy family – Belgian research raises the bar for IVF

Belgium is one of the top countries in the world for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Despite the high cumulative success rates of these interventions, disproportionally little attention has been given to the health of both mother and child during and after pregnancy. With the HEART (High risk for pre-Eclampsia after Assisted Reproductive Technology) project, Belgian researchers strive to understand why some women have an increased risk for pre-eclampsia after IVF and whether biomarkers can be identified to estimate these risks early in pregnancy or even before conception. They aim to raise the standard from successful conception to improved child and maternal health.

Retaining female talents

While the life sciences environment is adjusting to be able to foster female talents in the workplace, there is still a long way to go to achieve truly egalitarian work conditions. From the ‘motherhood penalty’ to unconscious bias, women can still be made to feel unwelcome in their daily work life. This is what motivated Veroniek Vermeulen to launch Silatha, a company with the goal of creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

This vagina-on-chip model holds the potential to advance yeast infection research

While a vast majority of women experience vaginal yeast infections, research has fallen short in providing an effective treatment approach. However, hope has emerged recently with the development of new model systems that allow exploration of the complex vaginal environment. Organ-on-chip models enable researchers to examine the interactions between human cells and microbes in a more accurate manner, offering the potential for the development of new therapies.

The women of BioVox

STEM has had a long reputation of being a masculine environment, though recent efforts have made this field much more accessible to all genders. Our gender can influence both the external factors and internal methods affecting how we work.

Fund+ portfolio company Cardior Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Novo Nordisk in potential 1-billion-euro deal

Novo Nordisk will acquire Cardior Pharmaceuticals for up to 1.025 billion euros, including upfront and additional payments if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved. Cardior is a leader in RNA-based therapies that have the potential to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. The company’s approach targets distinctive non-coding RNAs to address the root causes of cardiac dysfunctions and achieve lasting patient impact.

Fund+ Portfolio Company Tubulis Closes Upsized EUR 128 Million Series B2 to Accelerate Clinical Development of Solid Tumor-Focused ADC Pipeline

Azalea Vision Secures Prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition Grant

Innovative Smart Contact Lens Developer Awarded €2.5M in Funding for Groundbreaking Ocular Health Technology

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. 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.

Nutritional labels “in the wild”: how they affect your snack choice

Barely any people stick to a three-meals-a-day plan. Snacking is part of our culture and can even contribute to a healthy diet when choosing the right snacks. But your appetite doesn’t always agree about what’s the “right” snack. Your hands automatically reach for those candy bars, instead of a handful of nuts. Therefore, we investigated whether two different nutritional labels – calorie labels and the Nutri-Score – can nudge you in the right direction.

Looking forward: Azalea Vision’s smart lens is a game-changer for ocular disorders

In December 2023, Azalea Vision announced the first test of their smart contact lens on a real person. This demonstration showcased the first functional prototype of their smart lens, known as the ALMA lens, which was developed by the company to address ocular disorders characterized by the inability to effectively filter light.

QbD Chair for Precision Oncology Research in Glioblastoma extended for three years

The QbD Chair supports the research of Professor Frederik De Smet on glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Behind the establishment of the Chair lies a personal story.

Smart cities as living laboratories: a data-driven strategy for creating a sustainable future

Similar to the growing use of large-scale scientific data to guide laboratory research, urban data presents significant potential for informed decision-making in city governance. Extensive data on waste collection, traffic, pollution, and various other facets of city management can be collected and analyzed to help policymakers identify challenges and develop prediction-based solutions. Thomas Van Oppens, Deputy Mayor of Leuven, underscores the importance of local collaboration in establishing such a data-driven growth model for city governance.