Biotech in Flanders - A Stunning Story: A new book reveals the secrets behind the success of the Flemish life sciences biotech industry
Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, is home to one of the most vibrant and innovative life sciences and biotech ecosystems in the world. Over the past 40 years, Flemish researchers and pioneers have made discoveries that today benefit over two million patients every year, and are used daily in agriculture, research labs and medical cabinets. How did this small region become a global leader in life sciences and biotechnology? What are the key factors that contributed to this remarkable development? Who are the pioneers and visionaries that shaped its history during the past 40 years? And what’s ahead for this thriving ecosystem?
These are some of the questions that are answered in a new book, Biotech in Flanders - A Stunning Story, written by Jo Bury, Johan Cardoen and Dirk Reyn, three experts who have been closely involved in the Flemish biotech sector for decades. The book tells the fascinating story of how Flanders transformed itself into a world recognized biotech powerhouse, thanks to a fruitful cross-fertilization between high quality healthcare, excellent scientific research, daring entrepreneurship and industry collaboration, risky financing and a supportive government.
Biotech in Flanders - A Stunning Story is a must-read for anyone interested in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and regional biotech ecosystem development.
The book is based upon more than 40 interviews, including many of the iconic figures of the Flemish biotech story who share their insights and experiences on the challenges and opportunities of almost half a century of biotech innovation.
The book provides an overview of the current state and future prospects of the Flemish biotech industry, which counts several hundred of companies and employs some sixty thousand people, both in direct and supporting jobs.
Biotech in Flanders A Stunning Story offers an inspiring guide for those who want to gain insight into the ins and outs of an innovative and research-driven sector, working day after day on products that continually make the lives of millions of people safer, healthier and more sustainable.
It is a stunning story, without question. It is also a tribute to the vision and passion of the people who made Flanders Biotech Valley a reality.
Published by Witsand Uitgevers (www.witsand.be), the book was created in collaboration with VIB (www.vib.be), flanders.bio (www.flanders.bio) and Flanders Investment & Trade (corporate.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com). It is available in Dutch and English.
Book available on www.biotechinflanders.com
About flanders.bio
flanders.bio is a dynamic, member driven organisation with currently more than 350 members from Belgium and abroad. We help our members to create value by organising networking and training activities, supporting internationalisation, providing services, and building expertise. flanders.bio and its members want to be the proud advocates of a reputable global-impact ecosystem in life sciences. More info: www.flanders.bio
About VIB
VIB is a life sciences research institute, based in Flanders, Belgium. We perform basic research with a strong focus on translating scientific results into pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications. More info: www.vib.be
About Flanders Investment & Trade
Flanders Investment & Trade is the key point of contact for international business in Flanders. We play a central role in the internationalization of the economy of Flanders, thus vigorously supporting the boundless ambitions of Flanders-based and international companies and organizations. More info: corporate.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com
About Witsand
Witsand Uitgevers is a Belgian publishing house that mainly publishes non-fiction and literature and is based in Antwerp. Most of the publisher's distribution is done through Centraal Boekhuis. Witsand Uitgevers was founded in November 2008 by publisher Dirk Demuynck, who previously worked for publishing groups such as PCM Meulenhoff, Manteau and Lannoo. More info : www.witsand.be
About the authors
Jo Bury
Jo Bury is founder and former Director of VIB, the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology. From November 1995 to March 2022, he was Managing Director of VIB.
He was Operational Director of VLAB (Flemish Biotechnology Action Program) and scientific advisor to federal and regional bodies such as IWONL-IRSIA, IWT.
Jo Bury served on the Board of Directors of several research intensive companies, research institutions , and supporting bodies. He was / is SAB for several research centers in the life sciences.
Johan Cardoen
Until May 31, 2012, Johan Cardoen was CEO of CropDesign nv. From June 2012 to May 1, 2020, he was Managing Director of VIB.
Until July 1, 2020, he was also Chairman of the LP Board of V-Bio Ventures, a dedicated life sciences investment fund focused on early stage investments in life sciences. He served on the Board of Directors of several biotech companies. Furthermore, from 2007 to May 2012, he was Chairman of flanders.bio.
Today he is an independent consultant and entrepreneur in the life sciences.
Dirk Reyn
Dirk Reyn has acquired skills in the international pharmaceutical and biotech industry over a period of more than 35 years. He was a key player in several pharmaceutical licensing deals, mergers and acquisitions while working for Janssen Pharmaceutica in Beerse.
He is the founder of Movetis, co-founder and ex-CEO of eTheRNA and co-CEO/co-founder of Spectricity.
He is currently one of the three managing partners of Bioqube Ventures, which manages a biotech fund with more than ten European biotech investments. He has also been Chairman of flanders.bio since 2018.
Please note: delivery only in Belgium. International orders can be placed via www.witsand.be (https://witsand.be/product/biotech-in-flanders-a-stunning-story/)
