VUB and VIB launch new Bio Incubator Brussels on VUB campus

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and VIB have joined forces to launch the brand-new Bio Incubator Brussels (BIB) on the green VUB Main Campus in Etterbeek. This innovative hub brings together science, technology, and entrepreneurship to transform groundbreaking biotechnological advancements into new companies. Start-ups in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and health technology can now utilize this facility, which offers ready-to-use lab and office spaces. The VIB Nanobody Core Facility was the first to move in. 

The bio-incubator was established on the initiative of and with financial support from the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology. This research center, led by Jan Steyaert and Han Remaut, has a strong track record of successful biotech spin-offs, such as Ablynx, Biotalys, and Confo Therapeutics.

"With this new bio-incubator, we aim to facilitate he creation of start-ups in their early stages and strengthen the link between our lab and our spin-offs,” says Prof. Jan Steyaert, Scientific Director of the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology.

Bridge between innovation and collaboration

The Bio Incubator Brussels offers a stimulating ecosystem for innovation and scientific collaboration. The spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art lab furniture and include shared lab facilities, modern office spaces, and a wide range of support services. These services include mentorship, networking opportunities, and direct access to academic talent and industrial partners closely associated with the university and institute.

Jan Danckaert, rector of the VUB, highlights the incubator’s importance: “The establishment of the Bio Incubator Brussels reinforces VUB’s role in translating scientific research into societal and economic applications. It is a critical platform that will shape an ecosystem for companies and scientists to collaborate on solutions and applications in life sciences and health technology that will make a difference in the near future.”

VIB Nanobody Core Facility takes the lead

The first organization to set up in the bio-incubator is the VIB Nanobody Core Facility. This facility specializes in developing nanobodies, unique antibodies used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors to create new treatments.Dr. Gholamreza Hassanzadeh Ghassabeh, head of the Nanobody Core Facility, expressed his enthusiasm: “Bio Incubator Brussels provides us with the opportunity to further develop our research on nanobodies in a stimulating environment, surrounded by experts and companies who can support our innovation process. This is a fantastic chance to link scientific progress with commercial applications that can make a real impact on healthcare.”

For more information and to arrange a visit, go to https://www.vubtechtransfer.be/bio-incubator-brussels-bib 

© Thierry Geenen

Contacts

David Moreels
​Incubator Manager VUB 
​0488 66 67 95 
​david.moreels@vub.be  

Jan Steyaert
​​Scientific Director VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology
​0495 27 02 48 
​jan.steyaert@vub.be
​www.steyaertlab.be   

About VIB

VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB's mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders (Belgium). VIB is a partnership with Ghent University, Hasselt University, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

VIB drives the translation of research discoveries into innovative products and technologies for patients, consumers and society. It does so by launching new spin-offs, licensing intellectual property to companies, engaging in dynamic partnerships and fostering talent development. VIB has created 39 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting over €1.8 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with industry, generating over €350 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Seven of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage.

Learn more at www.vib.be.

About the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology (CSB)

The CSB studies life at the molecular level, with a special focus on the architecture of proteins and how their structure translates into functional properties. A wheel must be round to roll, and similar principles apply in the molecular world. Our center masters the key methodologies of structural biology (biophysics, NMR, X-ray, and cryoEM), complemented by unique and distinctive platforms such as Nanobody technology. This interdisciplinary and integrative approach enables us to provide excellent education, conduct cutting-edge research, and translate new discoveries into innovative applications and spin-offs.

About the VIB Nanobody Core Facility 

The VIB Nanobody Core Facility is a leading service platform that develops nanobodies for third parties for use in research, diagnostics, or medicine. Nanobodies are small, stable antibodies derived from llamas, which were discovered 30 years ago at the VUB.