The Executive Board of the European Biotechnology Federation together with CATRIN representatives prepare for the European Congress on Biotechnology

The Executive Board of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) reviewed the Federation´s activities of the past year as well as its plans for the future, including the organisation of the European Congress on Biotechnology 2026, at its June meeting in Ghent. CATRIN had three representatives at the meeting – EFB Vice President Ivo Frébort, Executive Board member Michaela Holecová and Chair of the EFB Biopharmaceutical and Medical Biotechnology Division Katerina Poláková.

One of the points of the programme was a presentation by the VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie), a leading Belgian research organisation that focuses on cutting-edge basic and applied research in areas such as molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, immunology, plant biotechnology, microbiology and oncology, introduced by its director Jérôm Van Biervliet. The independent institute, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, cooperates with the universities of Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp and Brussels. It is a major contributor to technology transfer into practice, focusing on linking academic research with industry and supporting the creation of spin-off companies.

“The VIB is a very important institute and we are pleased to have been able to seek opportunities for collaboration and common research topics in biomedicine and biotechnology development. Establishing these contacts can be extremely valuable for us,” said Kateřina Poláková, who presented the ExRegMed project from the Johannes Amos Comenius Operational Programme.

Sharing experience, presentation of new research trends and networking will also be an important task of the European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB), which will take place in Antwerp in 2026. CATRIN representatives are playing an important role in its preparation, especially with Ivo Frébort chairing the Scientific Programme Committee.

“At the EFB Executive Board meeting, we were intensively involved in the preparation of the Congress. Its central theme will be contributions of biotechnology to addressing global challenges and the VIB will also actively participate in the programme. Scientists and representatives of leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies will address key topics such as health, environment, microbial and plant biotechnology,” Ivo Frébort added. The congress will be held in late June/early July 2026 at the congress centre called A room with a Zoo in Antwerp, which EFB executive board members had the opportunity to visit.