General introduction - UHasselt

As a research institute of Hasselt University with the faculty of medicine, BIOMED performs fundamental and translational biomedical research but also strongly supports valorisation and innovation through collaboration with industrial partners. Contract research and service activities are performed in specific domains that are closely related to our research programs and technological expertise. Molecular, cellular, in vivo, ex vivo translational and clinical approaches, development of diagnostic tools and testing of candidate therapeutic compounds are among the many scientific services that can be supplied. Through its cooperation with the biomedical life sciences cluster and local hospitals, and its propitious location near the Belgian-Dutch-German border, BIOMED also actively participates as research partner in a strong biomedical life sciences sector in our region.

BIOMED plays an important role as a motor behind the development of a strong biomedical life sciences cluster in our region. We participate in the platform organization LifeTechLimburg aiming at starting-up and attracting new life sciences companies. LifeTechLimburg is housed at BioVille, the life sciences incubator at the campus of Hasselt University and next to BIOMED. BioVille was opened in 2010 and already houses more than 12 companies of which many work together with BIOMED.

BIOMED also developed a portfolio of patents and collaborates to this end with the Technology Transfer Office of our university and the VIB. Also, two spinoff companies (Apitope NV and Seps-Pharma NV) were set up.

Examples of our scientific expertise and services in the domain of autoimmune diseases and neurosciences are explained in the "Technical platforms" section.