An academic spin-off is a company whose activities, products and/or services are based on knowhow, technology and/or research results generated at the university or at one of its university colleges (AUHA). Creation of spin-off companies is one way of valorizing technologies developed at the AUHA and is an alternative for licensing to an established business. An overview of the spin-offs of the AUHA, starting from 2003, are listed below:
Brailsports (2024): AI platform for optimised sports training
Brailsports, a joint spin-off from the University of Antwerp, imec and University of Ghent, is developing a platform that supports athletes and their coaches to determine optimal training volume and adjust training schedules based on data. Using AI models, the platform accurately estimates fitness and fatigue of the individual athlete, improving performance and reducing the risk of injury.
FAAST (2024): cycling simulator that mimics the physics of real cycling
More information will follow soon.
Orbits Oncology (2023): a digital platform using AI to bring cancer patient insights into early drug research
Orbits Oncology is a digital platform that uses AI to bring cancer patient insights into early drug research, by unlocking the most human-like cancer models, called organoids. Biopharma companies using organoids for cancer drug research generate large quantities of microscope image data that are difficult to analyse and interpret. Using proprietary computer vision and data processing algorithms, their digital platform takes this raw image data, performs advanced analysis, and produces reports that provide understandable, clinically relevant insights into the drugs and compounds being investigated.
Their pilots and publications have already demonstrated that this digital solution increases both 1) speed-to-insight, as well as 2) the accuracy of insights compared to conventional solutions. Orbits Oncology’s technology can seamlessly integrate into the existing workflow of their biopharma customers, and using a SAAS-like model, the spin-off will help them identify which drugs to filter out and which drugs to advance towards clinical trials. Their aim is to de-risk cancer research from the lab to the patient, by matching the right therapies with the right patients, and bring drugs more successfully to market.
https://www.orbits-oncology.com/
Atomic 16 (2023): plasma reactors for the production of sulfur oxides from elemental sulphur
Atomic 16 develops plasma reactors for the production of sulfur oxides from elemental sulphur.
More information will follow soon.
Tales of Land (2023): innovative plasma technology to break down harmful PFAS, preventing further spread in the environment
Tales of Land uses innovative plasma technology to break down harmful PFAS, preventing further spread in the environment.
More information will follow soon.
Specifix (2023): 3D planning software for pre-operative, patient-specific fixation of wrist fractures
Specifix, a spin-off of the University of Antwerp and imec, has developed an advanced tool to assist orthopedic surgeons in selecting patient- and wrist-fracture-specific implants. Through the integration of advanced AI technology, Specifix provides 3D solutions that significantly reduce the duration of the surgery while enhancing surgical precision.
Immunespec (2023): advanced immunopeptidomics for fast & reliable immunogenic profiling
Immunespec uses advanced immunopeptidomics for fast & reliable immunogenic profiling. Thanks to this renewed approach to unlock immunogenic regions of proteins they contribute to the development of safe, effective vccines and therapeutics.
Football college (2022): research on good governance of football and practical education
Football College conducts and disseminates research on good governance of football. It offers educational programmes and events that are both academically underpinned and practically oriented, in addition to ad hoc advice.
IoSA (2022): animal behavior monitoring tool
IoSA combines the expertise of engineers of imec-IDlab and ecologists of UAntwerp to create logging tools, focusing on highly accurate proximity tracking and ultra-low power data processing. While traditional trackers are rather bulky and heavy, IoSA was able to pack these features in ultra-light miniaturized solutions, weighing no more than 5 percent of the animal’s body weight. IoSA’s solutions will provide new valuable insights to researchers, wildlife and conservation organizations, zoos, and farmers on how animals interact and move.
Optanic (2022): plasma technology for dry reforming of methane into syngas and methanol
Optanic aims to to scale up plasma technology for dry reforming of methane into syngas and methanol, and build larger (atmospheric pressure glow discharge) plasma reactors, of interest for biogas valorization, and producing value-added chemicals from it
Innocens (2022): AI based Clinical Decision Support System for Neonatal Intensive Care
Innocens is a spin-off company from the University Hospital Antwerp/University Antwerp founded. Their vision is to improve care by providing healthcare workers explainable insights on their growing landscape of available clinical data. Innocens developed an AI based Clinical Decision Support System for Neonatal Intensive Care that keeps the healtcare worker in the lead of her/his decision. The digital health worker provides a 24/7 risk prediction and explains its reasoning. The technology is privacy compliant and scalable to different intensive care settings. Innocens technology improves your clinical insights and enriches your data to create a continuous improving environment. The vision of Innocens is to aid decision-making of healthcare workers taking care of vulnerable infants. Together we create value to what all of us consider most valuable in our life!
AdaptEm (2022): fully programmable phase plates for electron microscopes
AdaptEM is a company providing fully programmable phase plates for electron microscopes. Our patented technology is based on individual Einzel lens controlling each of the 48 independent pixels forming the phase plate. Each pixel can apply a constant phase shift to the coherent electron wave front giving unprecedent control over the quantum wavefunction of the electron beam. Applications include but are not limited to formation of exotic beam shapes, adaptive aberration correction, contrast enhancement, symmetry selection in inelastic scattering, solution of inverse scattering problems, determination of chiral structures, seeing through thick samples, depth sectioning, increased depth of focus, and many more!
DT Valley (2021): developing and optimizing mechatronic systems
DT Valley supports and/or guides R&D teams in developing or optimizing mechatronic systems. They focus in particular on the design processes involved. In this context they also provide our own EPSim tool. A virtual platform for integrated systems, developed in cooperation with the University of Antwerp and Flanders Make. This allows testing much earlier in the design process.
ImmuneWatch (2021): Determines the target of T-cell receptors
Immunewatch is a Belgium based spin-off of the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospital, aiming to accelerate the development of vaccines and therapies by making immune repertoire data interpretable and clinically actionable. Using bio-informatics and artificial intelligence, Immunewatch determines the target of T-cell receptors (TCR), leading to improved prediction and monitoring of the immune response. By sequencing and analyzing the TCR repertoire, the team provides their customers with a better understanding of T-cell responses in the fields of infectious diseases, oncology and auto-immunity.
Oxylum (2021): Solutions for the sustainable production of chemicals
Oxylum is a Belgian based, University of Antwerp spin-off company who focusses on the development of solutions for the sustainable production of chemicals. Their novel electrochemical CO₂ reduction technology will guide companies in their quest towards carbon neutrality. Similarly to the leaves of a tree, they use CO₂ and water to create the building blocks for plastics, fuels and so much more. The required energy is provided by renewable electricity and no fossil feedstocks are consumed during the process.
A-membranes (2021): Membrane technology
A-membranes develops and produces bespoke organically grafted ceramic membranes. The ‘A-membranes’ combine high stability with tunable chemical affinity and allow for tailor-made filtration solutions both in solvent and aqueous environments.
Purna Female Healthcare (2021): Innovative combination therapy for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis
Purna Female Healthcare (“PFH”) develops and commercialises an innovative combination therapy for the treatment of severe and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (rVVC). It is a spin-off founded by Purna Pharmaceuticals NV and Creafund NV in partnership with Hyloris Pharmaceuticals. PFH has exclusively in-licensed antifungal Miconazole with Domiphen Bromide (MCZ-DB) and associated IP owned by the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven.
D-CRBN (2021): CO2 conversion technology
D-CRBN, a spin-off company from the University of Antwerp has developed a cutting edge technology that enables the conversion of CO2. This innovative process uses plasma to split CO2 molecules into its original building blocks. These building blocks can be re-used to create valuable products such as biofuels, chemicals, or polymers to ultimately achieve a circular and more sustainable economy.
Amber Therapeutics (2020): Developing intelligent bioelectrical therapies
Amber’s first therapy will bring adaptive stimulation technology to the established neuromodulation approach for treating urinary incontinence, with the promise of radically improving clinical outcomes.
Garvis (2020): Forecasting solution for planners
Garvis is a bionic forecasting solution that combines transparent artificial intelligence with the insights of the planner for real-time data analysis. This allows to reduce the forecast error with 30% and allows enterprises to provide a better service with less time and less stock. Garvis has a big impact on the bottom line of an enterprise and can be implemented in less than 24 hours.
Garvis was acquired by Logility in 2023.
LinkedCar (2020): Mobility technology
Would you like to predict when your car tires need replacement? Or extract data from your e-bike using your smartphone? Sounds like sci-fi? But it isn’t! LinkedCar platform, the first spin-off of Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts, accomplishes all of this. LinkedCar uses the data from your vehicle as a connector between you and your mobility partners such as insurance companies, lease managers and roadside technicians.
Medimundi (2020): Respirators with increased comfort for the wearer
The company designs and produces high quality, comfortable FFP2 and FFP3 respirators, and other personal protective equipment is the facility in Belgium.
Crowdscan (2020): A wireless crowd density system
Deltaray (2019): 3D Xray-technology
Shavatar (2019): Technology generates 3D body shape
Anicells (2019): innovative cell therapy solutions to the patient
Anicells, a spin-off of the University of Antwerp and the Antwerp University Hospital, is built on the expertise of people specialized in clinical development and manufacturing of cell therapy products. Anicells facilitates and guides the go-to-patient strategy of cell therapy developers by offering regulatory support, development-on-demand, and GMP-compliant manufacturing of cell-based investigational medicinal products. The facilities have multiple sterile cell-processing cleanrooms with classification B and C, including cell-purification devices as well as a QC lab.
DigiTrans (2019): Data-driven logistics solution for the transport sector
www.digitrans.io
Comproved (ex-D-PAC) (2018): Comparative judgments for assessments
Aloxy (2017): Industrial Internet of Things
iFlux (2017): Measurements soil contamination
Complex soil contamination is often accompanied by an endless and expensive remediation process, caused by the uncertainty about how it is actually spreading below ground. Our technology measures the speed and direction of contaminant spreading underground over a certain period.
Clouds of Care (2017): Enabling better CNS care
Clouds of Care, formerly known as Epilog, was founded as a spin-off from the Univeristy of Antwerp, University of Ghent and imec. This spin-off is a dynamic and innovative ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 27001:2013 certified Curated Network of Solutions platform to support clinical care and clinical trial success. With a strong focus on improving CNS care and core competencies in data analysis, we are dedicated to making a difference in the healthcare industry.
Fluent.ai (2017): Speech interface solution
Froomle (2016): Software based on data science
Froomle believes user experiences should be much smarter and more relevant than they are today. Froomle's machine learning software enables consumer-facing companies to make their user experiences smart and relevant based on historical interaction data.
Elmedix (2016): Medical devices
TextGain (2015): Automatic text analytics
Predicube (2014): Big data technology
PrediCube is a new tech startup that uses advanced big data technology to predict which online users are interested in a product, allowing targeted advertising on premium websites.
PrediCube was acquired by VAR in 2018.
Predicube (2014): Big data technology
Status: exit in 2018.
CareerCoach (2014): Career management tools
Hysopt (2014): Simulation technology HVAC
CiBLiS (2013): Library software
Ciblis develops and distributes globally web based library software. It is a spin-off of the ICT intermunicipal association CIPAL with also UAntwerpen – the original developer of the software – and LRM as shareholder.
The Brocade software is used by academic, public and specialized libraries, but also documentation centers, archives and musea. Different libraries are able to collaborate in networks thanks to the ‘cloud’-framework. Ciblis has many installations in Belgium and the Netherlands and is even leader in South-Africa with more than 900 implemented libraries.
CiBLiS was acquired by Cipal Schaubroeck in 2017.
Novosanis (2013): Medical devices
Novosanis NV, created in 2013, designs and develops medical devices for a variety of applications, ranging from injection appliances to in vitro diagnostics. Their goal is to improve health and patient care and to offer a better quality of life through sustainable technologies. The company currently has two devices in development: VAX-ID, suited for intradermal injections, and Colli-Pee, suited for collection of first void urine.
Novosanis was acquired by OraSure Technologies in 2019.
BrightSpec (2012): Nuclear and X-ray instrumentation
Valita Technology (2012): Smart caring concepts
In collaboration with the University of Antwerp VERHAERT Masters in Innovation® has founded Valita Technology. This technology operates in the area of smart caring concepts and services that increase the life quality of elders. They invent solutions for use within the direct circle of health providers. It is their objective that people can live as long as possible independently with a feeling of safety for all people involved.
Status: exit.
Oxypoint (2011): Optimisation oxygen consumption
icoMetrix (2011): Imaging techniques and analysis methods
Normalized Systems Venture (2011): Software architecture
NSX is a consultancy company focused on the implementation of Normalized Systems in industrial environments. The increasing architectural complexity and size of software results in an ever increasing test and analysis time when new functionality is added to existing software. Normalized Systems Theory aims at reducing this time, its associated cost and reduced usability by creating evolvable software architecture for enterprise IT systems.
ADxNeurosciences (2011): Diagnose optimisation
ADxNeuroSciences NV is a Belgium-based biotech company, established in 2011, and committed to improving the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The company identifies and develops novel biomarkers for accurate diagnosis and the effective treatment and follow-up of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
ADx provides state-of-the-art technologies, broad expertise in medical diagnostics, performance improvement and solutions for delivering more accurate and indispensable tools at a lower cost. The ADx team has been the driving force behind the development, market introduction and commercialization of the most widely used CSF marker assays, which are directly related to the key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
ADxNeurosciences was acquired by Fujirebio in 2022.
HI10 (2010): Data security and cloud systems architecture
HI10 Security Integrations is a spin-off of the University of Antwerp. Their core experience is data security and cloud systems architecture. The target objective is to improve security and project efficiency by delivering optimal solutions. HI10 offers consultancy services in the domains of Java, J2EE, high volume transaction systems, high availability, robust systems and data security. Additionaly, they developed together with experts of the UA a product line in digital signature integrations and cloud security projects.
Multiplicom (2010): Genetic test kits
Multiplicom, founded in 2010, is a spin-off of the University of Antwerp and VIB. The company develops, manufactures and commercializes leading-edge and easy-to-use genetic test kits based on the latest molecular diagnostic technologies. Multiplicom’s diagnostic products enable medical genetics and clinical laboratories to meet an increasing demand for molecular diagnostic testing, driven by the scientific evidence that links genetic information to health and disease.
The company was acquired by Agilent in 2016.
AtSharp (2010): Localisation technology
The AtSharp spin-off was founded in February 2010 with the objective of commercializing and marketing of localization technology. Based on the knowledge and technology of the University of Antwerp AtSharp developed the ORCA service: a modular localization platform that supports different localization systems and is able to combine these systems. It is a cloud service that informs applications and users about their actual environment or objects and persons in which they are possibly interested.
Status: exit.
Viloc (2010): Equipment management and object security
Meshbone (2009): Wireless networking technology
Meshbone was founded in 2009, as a spin-off from the University of Antwerp and the IBBT, now iMinds. Meshbone’s goal is to provide a new class of flexible and accessible wireless networking technology across a wide range of devices. The Meshbone software enables each node to independently and continuously optimize backhaul and client access (without the need of a centralized controller) resulting in network-wide performance enhancement, in a fully distributed peer to peer fashion.
On 22 january 2014, Meshbone was acquired by nCentric which delivers network solutions for dredging and oil and gas companies.
TRI-VIZOR (2008): Orchestrator for transport and logistics
1-OK (2008): Electronic wallets
Status: exit.
Octens (2007): ISE-technology
OCTENS is a technology venture established in 2007 to explore the capabilities of the Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE) technology in a vast range of applications for the determination of organic ionic substances. Their proprietary technology enables robust, sensitive and accurate potentiometric sensors for a wide range of applications. Currently Octens is working on new applications such as titration, pKa analysis and potentiometric HPLC detection.
Status: exit.
Mu Technologies (2007): Sound modeling and analysis
Nesma Consult (2006): Consulting (diversity, gender, ...)
Nesma Consulting is specialized in supporting and training organizations, teams and individuals in the areas of diversity, gender, non-discrimination, intercultural aspects, communication and conflict solving, citizen participation and spatial processes.
Status: exit.
Textkernel (2005): Recruitment technology
Status: exit.
FluidDA (2005): FRI technology
