Medical Biotechnology

Translating basic research findings into drugs is a long process with many steps. Medical biotechnology can both enable new discoveries and speed up the process of turning this new knowledge into usable therapies.

At VIB, the focus lies on the development of new and innovative molecular tools and technologies to address human health problems. An emerging and fascinating research theme in medical biotechnology is the development and production of new biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. VIB researchers are working on new applications in tuberculosis research, cancer treatment, and antiviral immunity, among others.

Impact on society

Blood test for liver diseases

VIB, in collaboration with Helena Biosciences, is set to commercialize a comprehensive blood test called Glyco Liver Profile for chronic liver diseases, a condition affecting up to 29 million people in the EU. This non-invasive test allows medical professionals to diagnose and monitor liver inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, providing an accurate and personalized alternative to invasive techniques.

Improving liver disease diagnosis

Overcoming the main current diagnostic challenges in hepatology practice in the liver project.

Inhalable biologics to control respiratory infections

Developing pan-influenza neutralizing biologics to treat and prevent viral pneumonia in the Ibcori project.

Center for Medical Biotechnology

The VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology (CMB) is VIB’s main center of biomolecular analytics and biopharmaceutical engineering research, with a key focus on protein technology. CMB also translates the novel technologies and insights into widely applicable research tools, vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.

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