Webinar: Consulate General Sophie Hottat welcomes professor Bart De Strooper for 2 presentations highlighting Alzheimer’s disease research.

On 16 and 17 November 2023, at the Belgian consulate residence in Los Angeles, Amici Lovanienses and Mission Lucidity had the pleasure to organize two highly informative and inspiring presentations by our renowned Alzheimer’s expert Prof. Bart De Strooper, group leader at VIB-KU Leuven Center For Brain & Disease Research and former director of the UK DRI.

This is a time of unprecedented promise in the quest to end Alzheimer’s

During the first event, Prof. De Strooper shed light on Alzheimer's disease and its challenges and outlook, showing the exciting road ahead thanks to the latest very promising results and breakthroughs that give us hope for the future.

We warmly thank Martine Bolsens-Peetermans from Amici Lovanienses for organizing the event at the Belgian consulate residence in Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Sophie Hottat, for the warm hospitality, and thank you to our friends Jean-Baptiste Piron and Alain Charbonnier of BELWEST - Chamber of Commerce for their support and active advocacy in promoting both events.

Sarah Braet - Head of Site Digital Transformation Los Angeles at Takeda:

“Events like these highlight the critical importance of funding and addressing unmet medical needs. Supporting research and innovation in healthcare is pivotal if we want to create a better future for the world we live in. Thanks to the involved research groups for all their passion, time, commitment and especially, never giving up!"

Jean-Baptiste Piron - BELWEST - Chamber of Commerce:

“We had the pleasure to participate to a passionate keynote on the future of research to cure Alzheimer´s Disease. Thank you Professor Bart De Strooper for your insights and sharing of your essential work that contribute to the progress on the wellbeing of patients affected."

Alzheimer´s disease: the time to be ambitious is now

Given the major breakthroughs and success in the Alzheimer´s disease space over the past years, there is a newfound sense of optimism in the field. Funding remains critical to pursue newfound avenues. On Friday, November 17, Mission Lucidity and Amici Lovanienses organized a virtual fireside chat with Prof. Bart De Strooper, with KT Moortgat as moderator. KT Moortgat is US biotech venture investor, executive and founder with track record in investing, supporting, forming life science therapeutic companies.

Prof. De Strooper and KT Moortgat had a virtual fireside chat where they enlightened the audience about the recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer´s research, which other alternative approaches to Alzheimer´s treatment could show greatest progress, and why now is the time to be ambitious.

KT Moortgat led the conversation from addressing the recent FDA drug approvals to the need to collaborate across sectors and inviting various forms of funding to aid the research.

KT Moortgat - US biotech venture investor:

“I was lucky to moderate yesterday’s virtual fireside chat on Alzheimer’s Disease with Bart De Strooper of KU Leuven. Key themes included the significance of the recent therapeutic approvals, what’s to come in the clinic, as well as the advances in clinical and research tools that can further propel understandings of mechanisms in this debilitating disease and drive novel therapeutic approaches."

Webinar: Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies goes here.

A multi-faceted look at the unique ethical challenges organizations face in today's ever-evolving technological landscape.

Whether around matters of privacy, equity, or transparency, the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University has been known for its work in helping corporations apply ethical thinking, and for collaborating with major industry leaders on efforts related to ethical standards in design.

The team behind the newly founded Institute of Technology, Ethics and Culture will break down the challenges and suggest a strategic plan to enhance ethical management practices.

On November 17, 2022 we hosted a delegation from Mission Lucidity to the Los Angeles area. Consul-General Ambassador Gunther Sleeuwagen extended a warm welcome to professor Peter Janssen and Dr. Jenny Ceccarini for an intimate gathering at the Residence of Belgium. Guests learned about the recent research on neurodegeneration. Our panel was joined by our partners at imec and Stanford School of Medicine for an in-depth look at research on the intersection of technology and health.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the official partnership between the Frugal Innovation Hub, SCU, and Leuven Research and Development kicked off with an informational gathering of friends of both institutions. Tine Van Lommel, LRD, provided guests with a detailed overview of the work and efforts led by her team. Allan Baez Morales from SCU shared the focus areas of his team. Together we explored how both institutions would collaborate based on the pillars of innovation, entrepreneurship and the additional angle of social impact. A first project, Supetai Well, will benefit from 2 student teams designing creative solutions for daily challenges in the Masai community.

In March 2022, we welcomed a group of starters and spin-offs affiliated with Leuven Research and Development to the Bay Area for a weeklong Silicon Valley Immersive program. During this weeklong program we made some valuable introductions, connected them with expert leaders in their field, and welcomed them into the wider network of Amici Lovanienses. After a successful first edition of the Silicon Valley Immersion, we are eagerly looking forward to a next opportunity.

The Trump Tax and its Implications on European Investments

In association with: BelCham

Panelists:
Koen Debackere, Christophe Crombez

Location:
BelCham Atelier, San Francisco

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In association with: Santa Clara University – Engineering Department

Panelists:
Professor Koen Debackere

Location:
Santa Clara University

A lively discussion with students of the Santa Clara University and a continuation of the talk series “Lunch with an Entrepreneur”. Professor Debackere discusses technology and growth, the impact of corporate R&D (Research & Development), and the role of the academic world. Three focus areas guide the conversation: entrepreneurship, innovation, and an international perspective.

A Southern California Gathering of the University of Leuven Alum and Friends

Panelists:
HE Consul General Vantieghem, Koen Debackere

Location:
The Residence of Belgium, Los Angeles

Roles and Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Panelists:
Koen Debackere, Armand Neukermans

Location:
University Club of Palo Alto

Climate change is a hot topic at the moment. Koen Debackere highlights several European initiatives that have been set up in response to this growing concern, and Armand Neukermans presents the concept of marine cloud brightening — a unique approach for reversing the impact of global warming.

Climate Change and Innovation: Moving Forward in Times of Turbulence

In association with: BelCham, Flanders Investment and Trade, Belgian Club of Northern California

Panelists:
Professor Debackere

Location:
BelCham Atelier, San Francisco

Before I was a CEO

In association with: BelCham

Panelists:
Peter Vanham, Wiley Author and World Economic Forum Fellow

Location:
BelCham Atelier, San Francisco

Peter Vanham gives us a rundown of his journey to interview 100 CEOs and discover the secret to their success.

Belgian GPU Technology Night 2.0

In association with: Flanders Investment and Trade, BelCham, Vlerick Business School IGMO

Location:
The Tech Museum, San Jose

A Southern California Gathering of the University of Leuven Alum and Friends

Panelists:
HE Consul General Vantieghem, Professor Debackere, Dr. Gitler, Dr. Cleveland

Location:
The Residence of Belgium,Los Angeles

Dr. Gitler and Dr. Cleveland present STAR (Search for a Treatment for patients with ALS through Research). This collaborative cutting-edge medical research program pursues therapies and cures for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Why a Californian Footprint Matters to a Belgian Start-Up

In association with: BelCham

Panelists:
Pim Tuyls – IntrinsicID Founder, Julien Penders – Bloomlife Founder, Geert Houben – Cubigo Founder

Location:
BelCham Atelier, San Francisco

An interactive discussion led by Professor Debackere debating why the Silicon Valley eco-system is vital to Belgian start-ups and exploring what constitutes a balanced environment in which failure and success can both contribute to a thriving business.

A Look at a Healthy Healthcare System

Panelists:
Guy Mannaerts – General Manager of the University Hospital Leuven, Guido Neels – Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, Andre Oosterlinck – Honorary Rector of KU Leuven

Location:
Cabana Hotel,Palo Alto

Professor Oosterlinck leads an informative and engaging session on the many differences between the Belgian and the US healthcare system.

Launch Event STAR

Panelists:
Dr. Don Cleveland – UC San Diego, Dr. Aaron Gitler – Stanford, Dr. Wim Robberecht – KU Leuven

Location:
Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto

Three renowned scientists launch STAR (Search for a Treatment for patients with ALS through Research). This joint research initiative focuses on ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A select audience learns about the disease and about how these three medical teams are combining their strength, expertise, and research insights to expedite the process towards therapies and cures.

A Dialogue Around the Current European Political Climate and its Economic Consequences

Panelists:
Rik Torks – Rector of the university, Hanno Lustig – Stanford, David Brady – Stanford

Location:
Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park

A candid conversation moderated by one of our board members, Christophe Crombez, with insights from the expert panel.

Growing a High Tech Company

Panelists:
Wim Roelandts – Board Member, Koen Debackere – General Manager KU Leuven

Location:
Los Altos

Wim Roelandts shares a story about his professional journey. He began his career in 1967 at Hewlett Packard, leaving the company in 1996 to become the CEO of Xilinx. Under his tenure, Xilinx tripled their revenue, and market share grew from 30% to 50%. This gentle giant shows us how strong leadership, combined with empathy for employees, can result in unimaginable growth.

The Entrepreneurial University

Panelists:
Koen Debackere, Roel Peeters – Roost Co-Founder

Location:
Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos

Koen Debackere, General Manager of KU Leuven, shares insights on how the spirit of entrepreneurship is woven into the very fabric of the university across all departments — and discusses the impact of this intentional approach on the success of the university. Roel Peeters, alum and co-founder of Roost, follows up to tell us how this mindset has shaped his journey towards start-up life.