The Institute Born-Bunge (IBB) is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected centers for neurological research. Its origins date back to 1927, when Antwerp philanthropist Edouard Bunge envisioned a world-class medical institute modeled after the Rockefeller Institute and the Karolinska Institute. His family carried this vision forward after his death, resulting in the opening of the Institut Bunge in 1933.
What began as a small institute in Berchem, Antwerp, quickly gained international recognition for its patient-centered approach that combined clinical work, neuropathology, and biochemistry — a revolutionary concept at the time. In the decades since, IBB has evolved into a modern research institute with deep academic roots and a unique biobank at its core.