On 3 June 2026, the University of Antwerp will take part in Knowledge for Growth, Belgium's leading annual Life Sciences conference in Belgium, organised by Medvia. The event brings together innovators from the biotech, pharma, medtech, agricultural, and chemical sectors, as well as policymakers, investors, and academic institutions.
Throughout the conference, UAntwerp researchers, experts and spin-off representatives will contribute to the programme through pitch sessions, panel discussions and presence on the exhibition floor.
UAntwerp and spin-off representatives in the programme
TTO Flanders elevator pitch session: Research to Business (13:30 - 15:00)
- Prof. dr. Vincent Timmerman – SCREEN4PN Platform
- Dr. Sara Van Looy – Respiratory Virus Repository Antwerp (ReViRAnt)
- Hosted by dr. Lieve Hoflack
Pitch session 'Tech for One Health': Disease mechanisms & diagnostics (14:00 - 15:00)
- Prof. dr. Annemieke Smet - Mucirna
- Dr. Hosna Ghaderi - SyntEyes (virtual twins of your eye)
Pitche session 'Tech for One Health': AI & computational drug discovery (14:00 - 15:00)
- Prof. dr. Christophe Deben - spin-off Sightera Biosciences & Center for Oncological Research
Pitch session 'Champions of innovation': Precision medicine (15:00 - 16:00)
- Prof. dr. Inge Mertens - Precision medicine for lung cancer (VITO/UAntwerp)
Pitch session 'Champions of innovation: Value-based healthcare (15:00 - 16:00)
- Dr. Heidi Bertels and dr. Sofie Rennen - UAntwerp spin-off Sampl.id
- Dr. Sofie Houtmeyers - EMMA Platform
Pitch session 'Champions of innovation: Clinical trials' (15:00 - 16:00)
- Dr. Bart Van Meerbergen - Vaccinopolis
Closing fireside chat: 'Surviving in a tough economy…a new playbook for innovation' (16:30 - 17:30)
- Dr. Wim Van Hecke, CEO from UAntwerp spin-off icometrix, joins the panel discussion.
Visit us at the exhibition
In addition to the conference programme, you can connect with UAntwerp researchers, experts, spin-off founders and representatives from our innovation hubs at several locations on the exhibition floor:
- Booth 2: UAntwerp spin-off Sampl.id
- Booth 6: UAntwerp spin-off Sightera Biosciences
- Booth 7: UAntwerp spin-off aMylla
- Booth 53 – TTO Flanders, the joint initiative of the Technology Transfer Offices (TTO's) of the five Flemish universities and their associated universities of applied sciences and arts
- Booth 66: Vaccinopolis
- Booth 67: Life Sciences Campus: University of Antwerp & Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)
- Booth 69: Science Park University of Antwerp