The dark matter of the genome: Flamingo Therapeutics taps potential of mysterious RNA for cancer therapies
Things are moving fast for Flamingo Therapeutics, a Leuven-based biotech company developing innovative RNA-targeted cancer therapies. The start-up is a pioneer in the field of lncRNAs, a large and untapped class of disease-causing targets within the so-called ‘dark matter’ of the human genome. This article was authored by Andy Furniere. Flamingo Therapeutics was born out […]
Betting on the best egg: Aurora test doubles pregnancy chances in assisted conception
Assisted conception techniques have matured in the last few decades, with Belgian scientists playing a big part in the progress. The Aurora test, developed by the Belgian start-up Fertiga, now further improves the odds for couples wanting to be parents: the test doubles the chances of becoming pregnant after just one fertility treatment. This article […]
Newton Biocapital invests in EditForce to support development of a unique DNA/RNA editing platform based on PPR protein technology
Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 1 July 2021 – Newton Biocapital (“Newton”), a life sciences investment fund active in Europe and Japan and focused on the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, has announced its follow-up investment in EditForce, Inc. (“EditForce”) in Japan. As a lead investor, Newton invested EUR 3.1 million (JPY 400 […]
Droia Ventures raises a new fund of EUR 220 million to target genetic diseases and expands leadership team with George Golumbeski
Brussels, Belgium, 11 May 2021 – Droia Ventures today announced the final closing of its third fund, having raised EUR 220 million (USD 265 million) to be invested in early-stage biotech companies developing therapeutics against genetic diseases. The new fund, Droia Genetic Disease, will apply the same specialist investment strategy as Droia’s oncology focused funds, […]
Beer, bread and bioethanol: SUPERYEAST project to improve industry sustainability
Prof. Kevin Verstrepen, of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, has received a prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant for the SUPERYEAST project. The goal is to develop industrial yeast strains that are easier to grow, which would increase the efficiency and sustainability of processes in a whole array of sectors. Notably, the research could […]
Saving man’s best friend: Volition blood test allows cheap and easy cancer screenings for dogs
A Belgian invention is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics for dogs by making it possible to screen for two common canine cancers with a simple, low-cost blood test. The innovation was developed by the Belgian subsidiary of Volition, a multinational company listed on the New York stock exchange. The company is also developing human blood tests for […]
Prestigious prize for Belgian breakthrough in brain research
Prof. Dr. Pierre Vanderhaeghen from VIB-KU Leuven has been awarded the Generet Prize for Rare Diseases for his research on human brain development. Vanderhaegen’s team have developed an astonishing model for studying rare neurological disorders by successfully integrating human neurons into a mouse brain. The prestigious prize, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation and presented […]
eTheRNA and China Grand Pharma enter a strategic collaboration in the Greater China Region focussed on eTheRNA’s proprietary mRNA development products and manufacturing capabilities
Niel, Belgium, 1 December 2020 – eTheRNA immunotherapies NV (“eTheRNA”) announced it has entered into a strategic cooperation and product license agreement with China Grand Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Holdings Ltd (“China Grand Pharma”) to establish a new joint venture company, Nanjing AuroRNA Biotech Co., Ltd. (“AuroRNA Biotech”) in Mainland China to deploy eTheRNA’s proprietary mRNA […]
A life-changing discovery: CRISPR scientists awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
After several years of nominations, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna have finally been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development of CRISPR/Cas genetic editing. These ‘genetic scissors’ can be used to can change the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with unprecedented precision. CRISPR technology has already had a revolutionary impact on […]
Can Darwin’s theory explain why we get sick?
While physicians care for their individual patients and are interested in the factors contributing to the individual’s condition, evolutionary biologists investigate the cause of the biological phenomenon, trying to understand for example why a certain disease has developed in a particular species such as our own Homo sapiens. By combining the view of physicians with […]
Fundamental research leads to treatment breakthrough in rare genetic diseases
A basic research breakthrough is improving patient lives, as researchers realized their rare genetic condition could be treated by repurposing a common anti-diabetic medication. The treatment has already been tested on several patients and has been a huge success with clinical trials now being initiated around the world. By Amy LeBlanc Science is often divided […]
Inari: shaking things up in the agriculture business
Inari Agriculture has been awarded the 2020 Newcomer of the Year Trophy by Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT). Inari (US) opened its first foreign R&D branch in Ghent’s biotech valley just over a year ago. Since then, the Belgian team has been hard at work developing plants that can address both growing global food requirements and climate change. They’re approaching the challenge with both the latest genetic techniques and with a fresh perspective on how a business should be run.
New immune system gene discovered in a Flemish boy
Researchers studying a rare disease have identified a new gene responsible for human immune system regulation. An international collaboration combined information from both mouse models and a single human patient in an effort to find the underlying genetic cause of hemophagocytic syndrome. This discovery could potentially inspire a treatment for the deadly disease and provides […]
A new type of power plants to combat climate change
The prestigious organization EMBO recently announced several new members, including the appointment of VIB-UGent scientist Prof Wout Boerjan. Boerjan joins over 1800 other EMBO members in what is regarded as one of the top honors for European scientists. The appointment is well deserved, with Boerjan’s research focused on the vital task of building a circular […]
Deadly mosquitoes are invading Europe
Due to climate change, two species of tropical mosquitoes are spreading into Europe at increasing rates. Their presence is linked to a range of tropical viruses, including dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya and Zika. With an increase in disease-ridden insects, we’re likely to start seeing these infections at higher rates in European countries, in Belgium and beyond.