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About Immunity for Health

Driving Health Innovation

Immunity for Health provides a unique platform that connects diverse stakeholders while offering access to expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and essential resources to advance vaccine research and development. Leveraging our extensive network, we foster cross-disciplinary collaborations, support groundbreaking research, and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical solutions. By enabling knowledge exchange and cultivating strong partnerships, we aim to enhance global health and address emerging healthcare challenges

Who we are

Immunity for Health is a leading non-profit health cluster organization dedicated to facilitating collaboration between academic, industrial and public stakeholders with relevant expertise in human and animal immunotherapeutics and vaccines. Immunity for Health stands out by combining scientific excellence, independence, and a dedicated mission to foster collaborations, advance the development of vaccines and immunotherapies, and contribute to a healthier future for everyone.

Our team, the driving force behind the seamless operation of Immunity for Health, is committed to delivering exceptional services to our members and ensuring the organization’s success. Fran Van Heuverswyn, as Project Manager, oversees daily operations and strategic execution of projects. She is also responsible for communication and event management, and the overall coordination of activities, ensuring smooth organization of impactful events and strong connections with our members.

Immunity for Health provides a unique platform that connects diverse stakeholders while offering access to expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and essential resources to advance vaccine research and development. Leveraging our extensive network, we foster cross-disciplinary collaborations, support groundbreaking research, and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical solutions. By enabling knowledge exchange and cultivating strong partnerships, we aim to enhance global health and address emerging healthcare challenges.

Fran Van Heuverswyn

Project Manager

The mission of Immunity for Health is to drive innovation and stimulate the end-to-end development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics by uniting key stakeholders, leveraging existing strengths in human and animal R&D, and applying the One Health approach to address interconnected health challenges.

Unite
Stakeholders

Bringing together key players in the vaccine, infectious diseases, and immunology field.

01

Identify
Bottlenecks

Addressing upcoming challenges and providing solutions in the vaccine R&D ecosystem.

02

Boost Your
Knowledge

Informing the Immunity for Health network on relevant news, events, funding opportunities and trainings.

03

Stimulate
Collaboration

Creating meaningful networking opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

04

Foster Knowledge Exchange

Organising scientific conferences and symposia with renowned experts and rising stars.

05

Promote Vaccine Ecosystem

Promoting Belgium as a global vaccine hub for R&D, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and logistics.

06

Driving R&D Innovation Through Collaboration and Expertise

Facilitating the exchange of expertise and innovative technologies between academia and industry is a core focus of our organization. The Immunity for Health platform serves as a powerful tool to foster stronger, more impactful partnerships, ultimately contributing to improved health for all.

Expertise

Immunity for Health provides essential insights and updates on research and development in immunology, vaccinology and infectious diseases.

  • Identify vaccine ecosystem in Belgium
  • Key players in the field
  • Bridge gap academic research & corporate development
  • Early awareness pre-competitive technologies

Collaboration

Immunity for Health fosters collaboration across regions, sectors, and disciplines to drive innovation and address health challenges.

  • Multistakeholder collaborations
  • Engage in EU projects
  • Build impactful cross regional collaborations
  • Provide a platform for start-ups to grow

Services

Collaborate with us to leverage our extensive experience and dedicated network in vaccines, immunotherapy and other related areas.

  • Questions & Answers
  • Custom made event/webinar organisation
  • Valuable Project Partner
  • Integrated support

Visibility

Increasing the (inter) national visibility of our reputable vaccine ecosystem.

  • Catalyze (inter) national partnerships
  • Promote Belgium as a global vaccine hub
  • Engage with global platforms
  • Broaden reach of our members

Our Organizational Framework: Leadership, Vision, and Collaboration

Founding
Fathers

Immunity for Health was founded in January 2016 through a partnership between the five leading Flemish universities—Ghent University, University of Antwerp, University of Hasselt, University of Leuven, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel—along with the networking organization flanders.bio and the innovative biotech company BioMARIC. This collaboration unites academic excellence, industry expertise, and cutting-edge biotechnology to advance the development of vaccines and immunotherapies.

Strategic Partners

Immunity for Health is supported by a team of strategic partners who provide valuable guidance to the steering committee on advancing innovation and development in vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Their expertise helps drive progress in improving human and animal health.

Board of
Directors

The Board of Directors at Immunity for Health consists of a diverse group of highly experienced professionals from both academia and industry, ensuring a balanced representation of both sectors. This leadership team brings together expertise in key areas such as veterinary research, clinical research, immunology, immunotherapy, regulatory affairs, diagnostics, (veterinary) vaccine development, medical devices, and the broader life sciences sector.

University of Ghent,

represented by

Sven Arnouts

CHAIRMAN Immunity for Health
Board of Directors

University of Antwerp,

represented by

Pierre Van Damme

VICE CHAIRMAN Immunity for Health Board of Directors

University of Hasselt,

represented by

Niels Hellings

Flanders.bio,

represented by

Katrien Lorré

University of Leuven,

represented by

Kai Dallmeier

Vrije Universiteit Brussel,

represented by

Karine Breckpot

BioMARIC,

represented by

Hugo Van Heuverswyn

Zoetis,

represented by

Dieter Vancraeynest

PhaRA,

represented by

Ingrid Theeuwes

Idevax,

represented by

Vanessa Vankerckhoven

Our members

Organisations with expertise in the domains immunology, infectious diseases and vaccinology developing new health solutions ranging from diagnostic tools to immunotherapeutics and vaccines are welcome to become an active member of Immunity for Health.

What Our Partners Say

The success stories of our partners highlight the transformative impact of collaborating with Immunity for Health. From faster R&D advancements to expanded networks and access to new funding opportunities, our members benefit from tailored support and exclusive resources. Learn how leaders in vaccines, immunotherapy, and infectious disease research are achieving impact through our memberships and strategic partnerships.

Bert Devriendt

Ghent University

“Immunity for Health plays a key role in connecting academia and industry to drive innovation in vaccine research to improve human and animal health. Their efforts have created a thriving community that fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into innovative vaccines. A key aspect of these efforts is the organization of scientific events, which provide members like us with valuable opportunities to share and communicate our research findings. “

Philippe Denoel

GSK

“GSK is pleased to be a member of Immunity for Health and to support academic-industry collaboration with the aim of furthering innovation in vaccines. We value the role of Immunity for Health as a catalyst for such public-private partnerships. All GSK vaccines have been developed in collaboration. We believe that it is only by working together that vaccines of the future will be developed for the prevention of infectious diseases in all populations and age groups.”

Vanessa Vankerckhoven

Idevax

“Idevax is proud to be a member of the dynamic network of Immunity for Health. As a pivotal catalyst in fostering public-private partnerships in vaccine-related research and business, Immunity for Health has significantly enhanced our visibility and value proposition in skin vaccination. We are grateful for the opportunities and partnerships facilitated by Immunity for Health, and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts to improve public health through cutting-edge vaccination technologies.”

Join Immunity for Health:
Shape the Future of Health

Become a part of a vibrant community dedicated to advancing vaccine and immunotherapy research. By joining Immunity for Health, you’ll gain access to invaluable resources, cutting-edge collaborations, and opportunities to drive impactful innovations. Together, we can accelerate breakthroughs in global health.