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Team Vesalius

Désiré Collen

Physician, chemist and biotech entrepreneur, Désiré Collen acquired an international reputation for his role in the development of recombinant t-PA(rt-PA), a life-saving drug that treats blood clots.

Désiré Collen

Désiré Collen Foundation (DCF)

Groot-Begijnhof 60/001
3000 Leuven
Belgium

Collen was affiliated with KU Leuven until his retirement in 2008. He took on the chairmanship of ThromboGenics (now Oxurion), a position that he held until 2013.

In 2015 Désiré Collen founded Fund+ NV. Fund+ is an open-ended fund interested in innovative life science companies with a focus on Belgium. Fund+ wants to contribute to the development of a leadership position in the life sciences sector and generate a beneficial societal impact.

Team Vesalius visionairies

Flanders’ life sciences industry: the perfect combo of biotech, medtech, pharma and healthcare

Defining Flanders’ life sciences industry as diverse is an understatement. From young start-ups to established local firms and multinationals: the entire value chain – from research and discovery to development and commercialization – is represented in Belgium’s northern region. Thanks to fertile cross-pollination between biotech, medtech, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, Flanders offers a unique life sciences ecosystem that is underpinned by a robust financing landscape and a supportive government. Will your company claim its place in this dynamic hub?