Technology Transfer
Excellence in science is an ideal seeding soil for valorization opportunities. We strongly believe that our scientific discoveries and innovations have the potential to contribute to improved patient care.
VIB is viewed across Europe as an exemplary driver of science valorization and involves a blend of good science, business and communication to be successful. VIB’s Innovation & Business team (VIB2) enables the essential links between VIB scientists and industry to translate our research into novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and other tangible applications. VIB2 encompasses in-house expert teams for patent applications (Intellectual Property), spin-off trajectories (New Ventures), internal drug discovery (Discovery Sciences), or external co-development, R&D, or license deals with biotech and pharma companies (Business Development).
Industrial Collaborations
Industrial collaborations are an important part of getting our research to the patient - see some examples of our success stories below.
The Lambrechts lab developed a revolutionary diagnostic test for cancer in collaboration with MSI. Read more below.
Read more about the research at the basis of a new potential drug for medulloblastoma from the Carmeliet lab.
In 2021, VIB and CD3 (Centre for Drug Discovery and Design, an investment fund and drug discovery center originating from KU Leuven) secured an exclusive worldwide license deal with US-based Springworks Therapeutics for small molecule inhibitors of the TEAD pathway developed by G Halder and CD3. Under the terms of the agreement, KU Leuven and VIB are eligible to receive up to $285 million in development, regulatory and commercial milestones from Springworks and tiered single-digit percentage royalties based on any future net sales. Springworks Therapeutics was granted IND approval and is planning to commence clinical trials in 2024.
Spin-offs
CCB research has been at the base of 3 spin-offs:
Montis Biosciences aims to therapeutically exploit cellular interactions between perivascular macrophages and the tumor vasculature to drive and sustain immune reactions against solid tumors. Based on science from P Carmeliet and M Mazzone, Montis was founded in 2020 and raised a 16M seed round backed by an international syndicate of investors.
Flamingo Therapeutics pioneers RNA-targeted therapies for oncology against undruggable transcription factors and splice variants. Founded in 2020 based on science from JC Marine, Flamingo merged with Dynacure in 2023 and subsequently became a clinical-phase company based in Belgium, France and USA.
Oncurious was founded in 2015 as a joint venture between VIB and Oxurion focussed on an asset from P Carmeliet. In 2017, additional immune-oncology assets were contributed to the company by the labs of G Bergers, M Mazzone and J Van Ginderachter (VIB Center for Inflammation Research).