VUB TechTransfer

Today, we are in Antwerp at the yearly TTO-IOF Event, connecting with our colleagues from across the Tech Transfer ecosystem in Flanders 💡 The importance of this event cannot be overstated. By discussing topics ranging from AI Act governance and spin-off creation, to valorisation strategies and celebrating the importance of IOF for the past 20 years, we ensure our collective approach to translating academic research into societal impact is stronger than ever. A massive thank you to UAntwerpen Valorisation Office for hosting this year’s crucial gathering. Eva Van Doren and her colleagues have done an excellent job at the organisation! Looking forward to the rest of a productive day of networking and knowledge sharing 🤝 UAntwerpen Valorisation Office KU Leuven Research & Development UGent TechTransfer Office UHasselt Tech Transfer #TTOFlanders #TechTransfer #IOF #KnowledgeTransfer #ResearchImpact

💡 INNOVATION WITH IMPACT: How VUB spin-offs Fertiga & Lavima Fertility are reshaping fertility care. We're continuing our series that shines a light on how VUB innovations are making a tangible difference in the real world. For this week's impact story, we're focusing on two spin-offs from the Follicle Biology (FOBI) research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel: Fertiga and Lavima Fertility. Imagine a fertility journey that's less invasive, more certain, and more accessible for everyone struggling with infertility. Fertiga and Lavima Fertility are using breakthrough innovations in reproductive medicine to upgrade the standard IVF process: ✅ Fertiga's Aurora Test offers non-invasive egg selection by analysing cumulus cells, dramatically improving success rates.  ✅ Lavima Fertility is specialised in hormone-free IVF through its CAPA-IVM technology, reducing the physical burden and opening doors for oncofertility preservation. 👉 Read the full impact story here: https://lnkd.in/eENbKKWK From lab to life, Fertiga and Lavima Fertility show how VUB innovation can transform one of the most personal medical journeys into one of hope and progress. 📣 Johan Smitz, Elien Van Hecke #Fertility #IVF #SpinOff #Innovation

We are proud to feature an exclusive interview with VUB alumnus Daniël Van Nieuwenhove, currently President of Sony Depthsensing Solutions, a world leader in 3D vision technologies.   Daniël's incredible journey began at Vrije Universiteit Brussel as a student, then researcher. His professor Maarten Kuijk came with a "science fiction" idea that they worked on, turning it into cutting-edge 3D time-of-flight sensor technology. This led to the founding of the spin-off Optrima in 2009.   After merging Optrima with ULB spin-off Softkinetic, the company was acquired by Sony, and in 2017, Sony Depthsensing Solutions was born. Since then, Daniël has continued developing innovative depth-sensing solutions for applications in automotive, smartphone and robotics industries.   His key takeaway? "Technology alone isn’t enough to change the world". You need the willpower and the business know-how.   👉 Click to read the full, inspiring interview with Daniël: https://lnkd.in/ebbYhBUk   His story perfectly illustrates how VUB innovations spark world-changing ventures.   ETRO VUB #SpinOff #Entrepreneurship #DepthSensing #Sony #Innovation

Last Thursday, we hosted a TechTransfer Talk focused on the exciting evolution of the 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗭𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗸 (𝗥𝗣𝗭). It drew a crowd of more than 70 participants, eager to learn about milestones and future plans designed to foster a dynamic, sustainable ecosystem. 🌱🤝 Through an insightful interview between RPZ Director Michael Dooms and moderator Suzy Renckens, it was revealed how RPZ is transforming into an innovation hub dedicated to accelerating scientific discovery and economic growth. Central to this vision is sustainability, guiding initiatives across key themes like climate and energy, health and platform technologies. Attendees got a look at new infrastructure designed to support groundbreaking innovation projects. The event was a fantastic opportunity to gain insights, network, and dive deep into the opportunities of the RPZ. 👉 Read more in the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_TXmfWZ Vrije Universiteit Brussel Green Energy Park vzw #ResearchParkZellik #InnovationHub #CampusDevelopment #Sustainability

Yesterday, VUB TechTransfer was honoured to host a delegation from the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗮 to our office for a morning dedicated to sharing best practices and exploring synergistic opportunities. 🤝 The session was kicked off by Vice-Rector Peter Schelkens and Philippe Westbroek, who shared VUB's best practices in knowledge transfer, EU project participation, and researcher support structures. To explore future research collaborations, leading experts from Vrije Universiteit Brussel then presented their work in Green Electronics, Digital Mobility, and Sustainable Technologies 🌱: ✔️ Gabriela Barrera introduced the MOBI Electromobility Research Centre, which is the largest electromobility research hub in Europe. ✔️ Bruno da Silva showcased the cutting-edge work from the Electronics and Informatics group ETRO VUB. ✔️ Maria Luisa L. presented the House of Sustainable Transitions which accelerates the transition towards a more sustainable and just society. ✔️ Maarten Messagie provided an overview of the expertise within Flanders Alliance on Climate Technology FACT - VUB towards a future-proof climate tech industry. These productive discussions have laid a powerful foundation for impactful, cross-border research partnerships. Thank you to the delegation and especially to Annelie Zapfe for connecting us. Universität Erfurt Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Hochschule Schmalkalden Technische Universität Ilmenau Friedrich Schiller University Jena Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar FH Erfurt Campus Altonaer Straße Hochschule Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach #VUB #TechTransfer #KnowledgeTransfer #ResearchCollaboration #Thuringia

💡 INNOVATION WITH IMPACT: Bringing nature-based resilience to cities with BitaGreen.   We're continuing our series that shines a light on how VUB innovations are making a tangible difference in the real world. For this week's impact story, we're focusing on BitaGreen, a VUB spin-off specializing in data-driven green solutions. 🌿   Imagine urban planning that not only tackles flooding and heatwaves but also delivers measurable economic and social benefits. BitaGreen takes the guesswork out of greening by applying cutting-edge science to urban climate challenges.   By combining urban hydrology, geospatial modeling, and environmental economics, BitaGreen provides cities with high-resolution risk mapping and investment scenarios. This allows them to prioritize nature-based solutions, like rain gardens and green roofs, to maximize impact and financial return.   👉 Read the full impact story and use case in Leuven: https://lnkd.in/era2EwTN   Vrije Universiteit Brussel Nora Van Cauwenbergh Nahad Helmi #ClimateAction #SmartCities #SpinOff #UrbanResilience

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀, a time to promote behaviour change for early detection, reaffirm the commitment to improved care, and honour the millions of lives affected by breast cancer. With International Day against Breast Cancer also arriving on October 19th, we’re spotlighting VUB spin-offs contributing to the fight against this disease. 💡 Spin-off Spotlight: ✅ ABSCINT advances single-domain antibody-based diagnostic imaging for metastatic breast cancer. ✅ 4Tissue pioneers minimally invasive, natural breast reconstruction using an injectable hydrogel. These companies exemplify the impact of innovative research, translating academic breakthroughs into life-saving and life-improving medical solutions. Explore more cancer-focused spin-offs in our portfolio, like etherna, Precirix, and Ablynx (now Sanofi). We're proud to support the innovators turning academic knowledge into life-changing medicine. 👉 More on ABSCINT: https://lnkd.in/eZYVGt-Y 👉 More on 4Tissue: https://lnkd.in/ePZJdfv4 🔍 VUB spin-off portfolio: https://lnkd.in/eaS3yduM #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancerDay #Oncology #SpinOff

Herman Terryn receives prestigious Evans Corrosian Award 🏆   We are proud to announce that Professor Herman Terryn from Vrije Universiteit Brussel has been awarded the Evans Corrosion Award by the British INSTITUTE OF CORROSION.   Since 1976, this award has honoured world-leading researchers in fundamental and applied corrosion science. Professor Terryn’s career is a benchmark in predictive corrosion modeling, with his impact stretching from aircraft safety to nuclear waste storage.   His groundbreaking work includes collaborations with industry leaders such as Airbus and AkzoNobel e.g. in the EU-funded VIPCOAT project, where he and his team took care of the predictive modeling of corrosion, helping to develop ecological, safe, and durable protective coatings.   🔬 From advancing aircraft technology to ensuring the safe storage of nuclear waste, his research continues to inspire innovation and societal impact.   Congratulations, Professor Terryn, and thank you for your inspiring dedication to science and innovation 👏   👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/emsHPdZS   Research group Electrochemical and Surface Engineering #ResearchImpact #CorrosionScience #Innovation

42 Tonnes. 7 Tesla. Flanders’ most powerful MRI scanner has arrived in Research Park Zellik to boost medical research. With its magnetic strength of 7 Tesla, the system is substantially more powerful than hospital scanners. This unprecedented power will deliver ultra-precise images, accelerating critical research into brain disorders, cancer, joint afflictions, and more. This monumental investment is a primeur:  ✅ The first 7 Tesla MRI scanner in Flanders ✅ The first unified scientific project between four university hospitals and five Flemish universities, including Vrije Universiteit Brussel VUB is central to this collaboration, hosting the scanner within our extended ecosystem at Research Park Zellik. Together, we are delivering high-impact, translational medical research. 👉 Click to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eBhS3UhV Michael Dooms #TechTransfer #MRI #Innovation

💡 INNOVATION WITH IMPACT: The camelid blood experiment that changed biotechnology forever.   We're continuing our series that shines a light on how VUB innovations are making a tangible difference in the real world. For this week's impact story, we're focusing on the foundational discovery of NANOBODIES® by VUB researchers.   In 1989, a scientific breakthrough was born from a spontaneous choice: when regular materials were unavailable, Prof. Raymond Hamers and Prof. Cécile Casterman resorted to using camelid blood in a routine experiment. This chance decision led to the discovery of unique, smaller, and powerful antibodies with special properties, found only in camelids. 🐪   Following the initial discovery, Prof. Serge Muyldermans led the crucial work of minimising the structure to NANOBODIES®. This innovation inspired the establishment of Ablynx (co-founded with Prof. Jan Steyaert), which became one of Belgium’s leading biotech success stories.   NANOBODIES® have transformed the fields of medicine, agriculture, and biotech, offering new ways to diagnose and treat cancer and protecting crops with biodegradable agents - a success story that has led to six VUB spin-offs to date: Ablynx Biotalys Precirix Confo Therapeutics ExeVir Animab   👉 Read the full impact story here: https://lnkd.in/e_TUmN_B   From a forgotten blood sample to a billion-euro industry, this VUB innovation is now transforming diagnostics and treatments around the world. A true example of how research, fuelled by curiosity and a bit of luck, can impact the world.   Vrije Universiteit Brussel #Biotech #Innovation #LifeSciences #TechnologyTransfer