Investor News

VIB spin-off MRM Health reports positive preclinical results in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

MRM Health is a VIB spin-off founded in 2020 by Sam Possemiers in a joint venture with VIB. Using a 9-strain bacterial consortium, MRM Health’s laboratories led by Dr. Salvador Augustin and Dr. Maria Martell of the University Hospital of Vall d’Hebron were able to slow down disease progression in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Preclinical results show that a live bacterial consortium of 9 rationally selected gut commensal strains were able to improve portal hypertension, insulin signaling, and NAFLD activity score. Additionally, the consortium helped prevent fibrosis development in two different in vivo disease models of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), improving endothelial functions and rebalancing the gut microbiome.

Lies Vanneste

Lies Vanneste

Investor Relations Manager, VIB

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Researchers identify a key biological tipping point in Alzheimer’s disease
Leuven, 4 June 2026 – Researchers from VIB, KU Leuven, the UK-DRI and Muna Therapeutics, funded by, among others, ERC, have uncovered a critical biological transition that may determine whether Alzheimer’s disease pathology leads to dementia. Studying brain tissue from older adults with and without cognitive decline, as well as cognitively healthy centenarians, the team identified distinct cellular programs and immune-cell states associated with disease progression and resilience. Their findings, published in Nature Medicine, suggest that changes in microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells—could represent an important target for future Alzheimer’s therapies.
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Prof. Diether Lambrechts (KU Leuven/VIB) receives the Francqui-Collen Prize 2026
Brussels, June 2, 2026 – Prof. Dr. Diether Lambrechts (KU Leuven/VIB) and Prof. Dr. Patrice Cani (UCLouvain) are the laureates of the Francqui-Collen Prize 2026, one of the highest scientific distinctions in Belgium. Today, they receive the award from the hands of King Philippe. Prof. Lambrechts is being honored for his groundbreaking genetic research into cancer treatments, while Prof. Cani is recognized for his discoveries regarding the impact of gut bacteria on lifestyle-related diseases.
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Comprehensive atlas maps dendritic cells across cancers
Brussels, 01 June 2026 — Researchers from VIB, VUB, and an international network of collaborators have created the most comprehensive single-cell atlas to date of tumor-associated dendritic cells. By integrating data from 14 mouse tumor models and 10 human cancer types, the study provides a detailed, cross-species view of how these key immune cells are organized and altered in cancer. This work, which appeared in Nature Communications, can guide the development of next-generation therapies.
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About VIB Press

VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artificial intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture. 

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