Research team

IOF Alliance Valorisation Manager UAntwerpen - UZA 07/11/2022 - 31/12/2026

Abstract

In the life sciences, several AUHA research groups collaborate with the business community on a regular basis. Some of the professors involved may call on an IOF fellowship holder assigned to an IOF consortium to which they belong. In particular, all other professors and researchers from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences are supported by a central IOF mandate in facilitating collaboration with the business community. For projects in collaboration with researchers who also have a clinical function at the UZA, support is provided from this mandate: IOF Alliance Valorisation Manager UAntwerp-UZA.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

    Project type(s)

    • Research Project

    IOF Valorisation Life Sciences 07/03/2022 - 31/12/2026

    Abstract

    Multiple AUHA research groups are working together with private partners in the domain of life sciences. Some of them are integrated in IOF-consortia and supported by a dedicated IOF fellow. The professors within the faculties Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences and Medicine and Health Sciences, which are not embedded in the IOF consortia but have a high need for dedicated valorization support, will be supported by this IOF-fellow. Those projects are mainly in the field of biomarker research, biological tools, exploitation of analytical methods, in vitro and in vivo models, medical devices, E-health and rehabilitation sciences.

    Researcher(s)

    Research team(s)

      Project type(s)

      • Research Project

      IOF Valorisation - Project Development 01/07/2021 - 31/12/2026

      Abstract

      Within the AUHA, multiple research groups work together with the business community on a regular basis. Some of them are integrated in IOF-consortia and supported by a dedicated IOF fellow. All other professors, which are not embedded in the IOF consortia, are supported by a central IOF mandate in facilitating collaboration with industry. A number of valorisation files require specific follow-up. This IOF mandate will be able to pick up these projects independently of any valorisation domain, scientific domain or IOF consortium and thus realize an extra leverage on our valorisation output parameters.

      Researcher(s)

      Research team(s)

        Project type(s)

        • Research Project

        IOF Valorisation of social and human sciences. 01/03/2021 - 31/12/2026

        Abstract

        Within SSH domain we notice an increasing activity towards partnerships with the private sector. Innovative software applications are an important driver, but also in the domains of communication, ethics, management systems, transport, law and safety sciences an increasing need for valorization support is observed. This IOF mandate will be facilitator for industrial partnerships within the faculties Social Sciences, Law, Arts, Applied Economics and the Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB).

        Researcher(s)

        Research team(s)

          Project type(s)

          • Research Project

          IOF Valorisation Life Sciences. 20/08/2017 - 31/12/2026

          Abstract

          Multiple AUHA research groups are working together with private partners in the domain of Exact and Applied Sciences. Some of them are integrated in IOF-consortia and supported by a dedicated IOF fellow. The professors within the faculties Science, Applied Sciences and Design Sciences which are not embedded in the IOF consortia but have a high need for dedicated valorization support, will be supported by the IOF-fellow appointed under this IOF project.

          Researcher(s)

          Research team(s)

            Project type(s)

            • Research Project

            IOF Valorisation Life Sciences 01/01/2021 - 16/07/2021

            Abstract

            Multiple AUHA research groups are working together with private partners in the domain of life sciences. Some of them are integrated in IOF-consortia and supported by a dedicated IOF fellow. The professors within the faculties Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences and Medicine and Health Sciences, which are not embedded in the IOF consortia but have a high need for dedicated valorization support, will be supported by this IOF-fellow. Those projects are mainly in the field of biomarker research, biological tools, exploitation of analytical methods, in vitro and in vivo models, medical devices, E-health and rehabilitation sciences.

            Researcher(s)

            Research team(s)

              Project type(s)

              • Research Project

              Valorisation of EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) from sludge by use as curing compound for concrete or additive in adhesives. 01/01/2020 - 30/06/2021

              Abstract

              During the waste water cleaning process , a new waste stream is created, i.e. waste sludge. Nowadays companies usually have to pay to get rid of this sludge. During the PWO projects VaSA and DemoVaSA methods to valorize this waste stream have been investigated. An extraction procedure was developed to extract EPS out of the sludge. The main components of the extracted EPS are polysaccharides and proteins. Polysaccharides and proteins can be used in several applications. In this project, the extracted EPS will be validated in two applications. One application is the use of the extracted EPS in a curing compound for concrete. The curing compound with the extracted EPS will have several advantages over currently available commercial products. The main advantage is the fact that the curing compound with EPS is water based and thus not based on an organic solvent. Some of the curing compounds on the market are also water based, but they also contain products derived from crude oils (e.g. paraffine). Besides the use of EPS in a curing compound, they can also be added to adhesives or glues. Extracted EPS can consist up to 70 % of proteins. At the moment proteins are sometimes already added to glues. However, these proteins are mostly derived from plants (e.g. soy or camelina), this can give a conflict because said crops are also used in food and feed. The EPS can easily be extracted from a waste stream, hereby limiting the cost to produce them. On one end companies with a wastewater treatment plant want to get rid of their sludge because they often have to pay for its removal. On the other end there are companies who are looking for innovations in terms of concrete and adhesives or glues. In terms of valorization of the extracted EPS we look at these two market needs: on one end, service will be provided on the extraction of EPS from waste sludge, on the other end, the applications in concrete and adhesives developed in this project will be patented.

              Researcher(s)

              Research team(s)

                Project type(s)

                • Research Project

                IOF Valorisation Life Sciences. 01/05/2017 - 31/12/2020

                Abstract

                Multiple AUHA research groups are working together with private partners in the domain of life sciences. Some of them are integrated in IOF-consortia and supported by a dedicated IOF fellow. The professors within the faculties Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences and Medicine and Health Sciences, which are not embedded in the IOF consortia but have a high need for dedicated valorization support, will be supported by this IOF-fellow. Those projects are mainly in the field of biomarker research, biological tools, exploitation of analytical methods, in vitro and in vivo models, medical devices, E-health and rehabilitation sciences.

                Researcher(s)

                Research team(s)

                  Project website

                  Project type(s)

                  • Research Project

                  IOF Valorisation Social Sciences and Humanities. 01/04/2017 - 30/06/2024

                  Abstract

                  Within SSH domain we notice an increasing activity towards partnerships with the private sector. Innovative software applications are an important driver, but also in the domains of communication, ethics, management systems, transport, law and safety sciences an increasing need for valorization support is observed. This IOF mandate will be facilitator for industrial partnerships within the faculties Social Sciences, Law, Arts, Applied Economics and the Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB).

                  Researcher(s)

                  Research team(s)

                    Project website

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Medicinal Chemistry-Drug Discovery (ADDN). 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2020

                    Abstract

                    This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Creation of a preclinical platform at the UA for testing novel therapeutic approaches against ocular surface diseases. 01/01/2014 - 31/12/2015

                    Abstract

                    Ocular Surface diseases (OSD) such as dry eye syndrome (DES) show an estimated prevalence between 15 and 29%. The only FDA approved and on subscription dry-eye treatment is cyclosporine 0.05% (Restasis®), but this formulation is not available in the EU. Novel therapies for OSD are therefore needed. The expertise within ADDN fosters a unique opportunity to set up a preclinical platform on OSD leading to an increased collaboration with industrial partners.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Serthera: locking and monitoring of serine protease activity as the technological base for development of new and innovative drug candidates. 01/06/2013 - 31/08/2014

                    Abstract

                    The overall aim is to build expertise in the domain of inhibitor and probe development with a focus on serine proteases. The academic platform will establish collaborations with academic and industrial partners. The project will lead to the generation of knowledge in the domain.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Development of uPA probes as tools for imaging and diagnostic applications. 01/05/2011 - 30/04/2013

                    Abstract

                    The aim of this project is to further develop uPA probes, of which we already showed the efficacy in in vitro studies, to be used in cellular and in vivo. The IP of these innovative probes have recently been submitted to the UA interface for patenting. The first step in the valorisation of the probes is to obtain proof of concept in in vivo disease models. In the subsequent phase these results will permit us to obtain further funding from larger public (Fournier-Majoie, IWT) or private (VC) institutions. Our goal is to proceed with spinning-out this te chnology into a company preferentially within 3 years.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Topically applicable long-lasting glucocorticoid receptor agonists for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. 15/04/2011 - 14/04/2012

                    Abstract

                    This 'proof-of-concept' research is focussed on the development of innovative long-lasting and selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists for the topical treatment of skin inflammation diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Combined highly active anti-retroviral microbicides (CHAARM). 01/01/2010 - 30/06/2015

                    Abstract

                    The main objective of this project is to develop combinations of highly active specifically-targeted microbicides for vaginal and rectal application. We shall investigate the microbicide potential of protease inhibitors and to test them in combination with inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and/or integrase and/or fusion inhibitors.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    From protease inhibitors with increased target residence time to activity-based probes: useful tools in different areas of drug discovery. 01/01/2010 - 31/12/2013

                    Abstract

                    In this research project we aim to develop protease inhibitors that have the characteristics to become useful chemical tools in different areas of drug discovery. These tools will have the potential to be used in target discovery and target validation, hit and lead identification, for the identification of off-targets, as biomarkers and in molecular imaging.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Medicinal Chemistry-Drug Discovery (ADDN). 01/01/2009 - 31/12/2014

                    Abstract

                    This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Medicinal Chemistry-Drug Discovery (ADDN). 01/11/2006 - 31/12/2008

                    Abstract

                    This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Synthesis and biological evaluation of metalloproteinase and urokinase inhibitors as potential inhibitors of angiogenesis and metastasis. 01/10/2003 - 30/09/2005

                    Abstract

                    Angiogenesis is a fundamental process in reproduction and wound healing. Under these conditions, neovascularisation is tightly regulated. Unregulated angiogenesis is thought to be indispensable for solid tumor growth and metastasis. Hence, the inhibition of angiogenesis is considered to be one of the most promising strategies that might lead to the development of novel antineoplastic therapies. A plethora of angiogenic factors has been identified in the past 20 years. Most of them are not specific angiogenesis inducers. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and a few members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)family are considered as selective angiogenic factors and excellent targets for drug design. Urokinase is a serine protease. Compounds with diphenyl aminophosponate tripeptide structure are designed as possible inhibitors. These compounds are characterized by a guanidine or amidine as positioning group. A series of compounds will be synthesized and the guanidine-amidine containing aminophosphonic acid structure optimized. MMP's are zinc proteases and most inhibitors contain zinc binding groups such as hydroxamates. We will use the ?-ketophosphonic acid group as potential inhibiting group. The pseudopeptide structure will be derived from well known structures of the hydroxamate group of compounds, emphasizing the selectivity on MMP2 and MMP9, both involved in angiogenesis. Another series of MMP2 and MMP9 inhibitors to be synthesized are cyclopeptides in which different cyclic structures will be introduced.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                    Project type(s)

                    • Research Project

                    Synthesis and biological evaluation of metalloproteinase and urokinase inhibitors as potential inhibitors of angiogenesis and metastasis. 01/10/2001 - 30/09/2003

                    Abstract

                    Angiogenesis is a fundamental process in reproduction and wound healing. Under these conditions, neovascularisation is tightly regulated. Unregulated angiogenesis is thought to be indispensable for solid tumor growth and metastasis. Hence, the inhibition of angiogenesis is considered to be one of the most promising strategies that might lead to the development of novel antineoplastic therapies. A plethora of angiogenic factors has been identified in the past 20 years. Most of them are not specific angiogenesis inducers. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and a few members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)family are considered as selective angiogenic factors and excellent targets for drug design. Urokinase is a serine protease. Compounds with diphenyl aminophosponate tripeptide structure are designed as possible inhibitors. These compounds are characterized by a guanidine or amidine as positioning group. A series of compounds will be synthesized and the guanidine-amidine containing aminophosphonic acid structure optimized. MMP's are zinc proteases and most inhibitors contain zinc binding groups such as hydroxamates. We will use the ?-ketophosphonic acid group as potential inhibiting group. The pseudopeptide structure will be derived from well known structures of the hydroxamate group of compounds, emphasizing the selectivity on MMP2 and MMP9, both involved in angiogenesis. Another series of MMP2 and MMP9 inhibitors to be synthesized are cyclopeptides in which different cyclic structures will be introduced.

                    Researcher(s)

                    Research team(s)

                      Project type(s)

                      • Research Project