Ethan is a Business Development Manager at VIB with over 10 years of experience in academia, biotech R&D, venture capital, and technology transfer organisation. Holding a PhD in Medical Biochemistry specialising in rare metabolic diseases and having a postdoctoral scientist experience at uniQure, Ethan is deeply passionate about the early value chain of the life sciences industry and its vast opportunities. He supports scientific advancements across Europe as a former analyst at V-Bio Ventures and in his current BD role, guiding projects through the "valley of death" of research translation to maximise value creation. Ethan loves travelling and exploring local food scenes, enriching his multicultural perspective.

About VIB

VIB is a leading life sciences research institute in Belgium, operating in close partnership with the Flemish universities and renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, AI and biotechnology. Its mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support Flanders’ life sciences ecosystem. VIB has launched over 40 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting almost €2 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with private industry, generating over €350 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Eight of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage.

Aurelie Nowack serves as Principal at V-Bio Ventures, where she leverages over a decade of experience at the interface of industry and academia. Before joining V-Bio Ventures in 2022, she held business development roles at VIB—the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology—focusing on partnerships for the Microbiology and Plant Systems Biology centers. Previously, she held a position with BASF in Technology Acquisition and Innovation Management.Aurelie’s scientific foundation includes a PhD in Genetics from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research and University of Cologne, an MSc in Biotechnology from Wageningen University, and a BSc in Biology from Imperial College London.

About V-Bio Ventures

We are a life science Venture Capital fund that co-creates startups and invests in early- to mid-stage companies with high growth potential. V-Bio helps transform scientific innovation into products that positively impact people’s lives. Our extensive network and expertise in the sector allow us to contribute more than just capital. We aim at being part of the DNA of the new ventures that we back.We invest in private companies with differentiated technology addressing unmet needs. We look for innovative and transformational technologies with high societal and/or environmental impact potential. We focus on therapeutics, including both drug discovery and drug development.

Science wasn’t my strongest subject in high school, yet curiosity about the human body led me to study Biomedical Sciences at Ghent University. A lab-based thesis showed me research wasn’t my path, so I pursued a Global Management program in Antwerp to explore industry opportunities. I discovered Medical Affairs but couldn't land an MSL role right away, so I started as a Clinical Research Associate. That experience opened the door to becoming an MSL at Novartis — a key milestone. After 4.5 years, I recently stepped into a new challenge as Medical Advisor, continuing to learn and grow every day.

About Novartis

Novartis Belgium : pharmaceutical company with the mission to reimagine medicine. Our aim is to bring innovative treatments to the market to improve patients’ lives. Our commitment is to address unmet medical needs by bringing transformative therapies to the market, leveraging cutting-edge research, technology, and collaboration. At Novartis Belgium, we work with healthcare professionals, partners, and communities to ensure patients gain access to innovative medicines. With a strong vision for the future of healthcare, we strive to make a lasting impact on society and contribute to better health outcomes.