The innovation at the heart of Intercept Bio is based on a proprietary molecule, 9-Ac-SAP, protected by several families of international patents jointly held by the two universities. This molecule, formulated as a nasal spray, is designed to intercept viruses before they can attach to human cells. Specifically, it acts as a molecular “decoy”: instead of attaching to the surface of the body’s cells, the virus first encounters this molecule, which disrupts its adhesion and thus limits its ability to initiate infection.

Professor Stéphane Vincent is a member of the Bio-Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CBO) and the NISM and NARILIS institutes at UNamur.

Professor David Alsteens of the NanoBioPhysics Lab and a member of the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology at UCLouvain and the WEL Research Institute.

This approach is particularly innovative because it does not target a single virus or a single strain. Preclinical studies conducted at UNamur and UCLouvain have demonstrated antiviral activity against several major respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus. By targeting a very early and common stage of the infection process—namely, the virus’s attachment to the host cell—the technology paves the way for a preventive strategy that complements vaccines, existing antiviral treatments, and conventional protective measures.

The first product developed by Intercept Bio comes in the form of a nasal spray. This method of administration follows a simple logic: to act locally, where many respiratory viruses begin their progression in the body. Easy to use, non-invasive, and designed for preventive use, this spray could be a particularly relevant solution for people at highest risk of complications, especially patients with chronic respiratory conditions. 

“This spray could be an alternative to the vaccine for immunocompromised individuals. It would help prevent respiratory illnesses, the flu, or other infections by applying it before entering confined spaces, such as public transportation. It could also be used by an infected person to limit the risk of transmitting the virus to those around them,” explains David Alsteens of UCLouvain’s WEL Research Institute. 

By reducing the risk of infection or exacerbation of severe respiratory illnesses, a preventive solution like this spray could help limit complications, hospitalizations, and pressure on the healthcare system.

In 2020, as soon as the coronavirus pandemic began, David Alsteens (UCLouvain, WEL Research Institute) used his state-of-the-art atomic force microscopy platform—unique in Belgium for its ability to study interactions between pathogens and cells—to investigate how COVID-19 attaches to our cells. Very quickly, the UCLouvain-WEL Research Institute team discovered the importance of certain sialic acids on the surface of our cells in allowing the virus to attach to them. Sialic acids, which are sugar residues, act like tiny locks to which the virus binds via its surface proteins before entering the host cell. 

In an effort to block this interaction—and thus prevent the virus from infecting cells— David Alsteens turned to Professor Stéphane Vincent of the Bio-Organic Chemistry Laboratory at UNamur, who specializes in organic chemistry, glycosciences, biocatalysis, and mechanistic enzymology. His team designs and synthesizes complex molecules capable of interacting with biological targets, particularly in contexts related to infections. Vincent then produced a molecule flanked by sialic acids—the famous decoy molecule—which saturates the virus and prevents it from binding to its host cells. Subsequent tests on mice proved effective in 80% of cases. Within the Intercept Bio framework, this contribution was instrumental in designing, producing, and optimizing the molecules that form the basis of the technology platform.

Intercept Bio also illustrates the power of inter-university collaboration. The project arose from the complementary nature of two high-level scientific areas of expertise: on the one hand, UNamur’s ability to design and synthesize innovative molecules inspired by glycoscience; and, on the other hand, the expertise of UCLouvain-WEL Research Institute in observing, measuring, and understanding, at the nanoscale, the interactions between viruses, molecules, and cells. This collaboration has made it possible to move from a scientific intuition to a protected technology, validated in preclinical trials and now moving toward industrial development.

The creation of Intercept Bio is part of a commercialization initiative jointly led by UNamur and UCLouvain, with support from the WEL Research Institute, UNamur Venture, and Sopartec—a member of Louvain-Transfer, UCLouvain’s research commercialization organization. These organizations have supported the project’s development, structuring, initial funding, and governance, working alongside the founding researchers and the management team, thereby enabling the transition from basic research to a concrete application for society. Serge Pampfer, a seasoned figure in the Belgian biotech ecosystem, is leading the new organization as CEO.

The research and funding that made the development of this solution possible, as well as the filing of the related patents, were supported by several funding initiatives and programs: the two ERC grants, support from the WEL Research Institute and the Louvain Foundation, obtained by David Alsteens of UCLouvain; as well as the EOS (interuniversity) program, the FNRS, and the Marie Curie ITN network, which funded a Ph.D. position in Stéphane Vincent’s team. The ITN, funded under the FP7 Marie Curie Doctoral Network program, made it possible to establish the initial methodology developed for Ebola, which contributed to the scientific advances that led to this technology. The company’s mission will be to continue the preclinical and clinical development phases, secure the necessary funding for the upcoming regulatory phases, and ultimately prepare for the market launch of innovative solutions designed to prevent viral respiratory infections. Beyond this first product, Intercept Bio aims to gradually develop a portfolio of products based on the same technological platform.

Last May, the International Conference on Electroluminescence and Optoelectronic Devices (ICEL 2026), organized at the University of Namur by Professor Yoann Olivier, with the support of Professor Benoît Champagne, provided an excellent opportunity for intellectual and social exchange among researchers from around the world involved in the research, development, and fabrication of light-emitting materials to discuss their recent advances.  

This 15th edition featured plenary lectures for the 125 participants, including both renowned and emerging researchers. The packed five-day program included five presentations by renowned international keynote speakers, 20 presentations by invited speakers, and some thirty oral presentations selected by the organizing committee, as well as two poster sessions featuring more than 50 presentations.   

Participants also had the opportunity to mingle and engage in discussions during the various activities of the social program, which highlighted the City of Namur, its iconic sites, and its shops: a tour of the Citadel’s underground passages, a historical and/or culinary stroll through the heart of the pedestrian zone, a tour of the Félicien Rops Museum and the Grafé-Lecocq cellars, a dinner for guest speakers at the restaurant “Le Balthazar,” and a conference dinner at the restaurant “Le Panorama.”   

Particular emphasis was placed on the active participation of motivated young researchers. A wide range of topics was explored, offering a comprehensive perspective on contemporary advances in the fields of materials science, fundamental physics, and their applications in cutting-edge devices and technologies. 

“A VERY big thank you - this was a really excellent conference - great science and a wonderful sense of being welcome - just how conferences should be!” – Sir Richard Friend, University of Cambridge, UK

“I would like to congratulate you on such an excellent conference. I really liked its scale (not too big), it being single session, affordable, in a nice place, with lots of chance to talk to other participants over coffee/lunch/poster refreshment.   The scientific level was excellent (which I fully expected with you as organisers) and there was good variety in the programme. The social activities/invited speaker dinner and spectacular conference dinner all added to a wonderful week. It was an amazing week.” – Prof Ifor Samuel, St Andrews University, UK

“It was a real pleasure to be at the ICEL conference. It really felt like family and the atmosphere was so warm that it completely overcame the cold weather and my flu. Excellent organization and perfect timing!”, Prof. Illia Serdiuk, University of Gdansk, Poland

“Thanks again so much for the organizational effort, the conference went so smoothly!” – Prof Barry Rand, Princeton University, USA

Professor Barry Rand has, in fact, taken over the reins, as he will be organizing the 16th edition of the conference at the prestigious Princeton University in the United States in 2028. 

The organizing committee would like to thank its sponsors and partners for their support: Universal Display Corporation, Angstrom Engineering, The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Chemistry Europe, the University of Namur, the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), the Namur Research College (NARC), the C.G.B. (Comité de Gestion du Bulletin) – C.B.B. (Comité van Beheer van het Bulletin), the Namur City Tourist Office, and the F.R.S.-FNRS thematic doctoral schools CHIM, MAIN, and METAMORPHOSE. 

For the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 call, 1,616 proposals were submitted and 141 were selected, representing a success rate of 9.6%. In this highly competitive environment, the selection of three projects involving UNamur sends a strong signal: it confirms the scientific excellence of Namur’s teams and their ability to build high-level international partnerships in support of doctoral training and innovation. Six doctoral dissertations will be eligible for funding.

In many neurological diseases, both inflammation of the nervous system and imbalances in the gut microbiota are observed. GlycoAxis aims to go beyond simple correlations by identifying the molecular “messengers” that link the gut, the immune system, and the brain. The project focuses on complex sugars found on the surface of certain bacteria (glycans), which are suspected of playing a key role in immune activation and neuroinflammation. The goal: to better understand these mechanisms and pave the way for new diagnostic tools, imaging techniques, or biomarkers for brain health.

In the face of climate change, pollution, and habitat fragmentation, some ecosystems weather the shocks… while others collapse. ReDiLeep focuses on a key driver of this resilience: response diversity—that is, the fact that different species (or ecological functions) do not all react in the same way to a disturbance. The project aims to better measure and model this mechanism in order to link research more directly to the needs of conservation, restoration, and public policy regarding biodiversity.

Our digital communications rely on light: optical fibers, sensors, and photonic circuits capable of processing information. But with the explosion of data, the rise of AI, and the advent of ever-faster networks, it is becoming crucial to control light dynamically—much faster than is possible with current components, which are often “static.” SPARK is exploring a new approach: combining spatiotemporal metamaterials (nanoscale structures designed to shape light) with light that is itself “structured” in space and time. The result: reconfigurable photonic technologies for computing, imaging, and ultra-fast communications.

In chemistry, cycloaddition reactions are sometimes difficult to achieve.  This is because two molecules mixed together often do not react with each other, as they encounter each other too rarely to produce an effective reaction. However, these reactions are fundamental in organic chemistry because they enable complex structures to be assembled quickly. 

One way to get around this lack of reactivity is to physically bring the molecules closer together by connecting them with a bond that can be broken once it has done its job. This approach is called ‘tethering’. By applying this strategy, the two molecules are maintained in close proximity so that they have no choice but to react together. 

In the context of this project, the tethering strategy is applied to little-studied cycloaddition precursors: oxidopyridiniums. The interest of these compounds is that they allow rapid and selective access to nitrogen-containing polycyclic products, but their use without tethering is generally ineffective.

In general, nitrogen-containing polycyclic molecules are organic compounds in which nitrogen is present within the cyclic structure (heterocycles) or as a substituent. These molecules are ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry, biochemistry and agrochemistry. They play a key and fundamental structural role in biology, pharmacology and organic chemistry.

More specifically, in the context of this project, among the families of molecules that can be obtained in this way are, for example, tropanes, a family of bicyclic alkaloids obtained from natural sources, some of which (or their derivatives) are used as medicines. The well-known over-the-counter medication Buscopan belongs to this family.

If we want to go further, this is where the second objective of this project comes into play: applying the Beckmann rearrangement to the products obtained by cycloaddition. This allows a second nitrogen atom to be introduced into the structures and opens up prospects for the synthesis of phlegmadines, a group of natural products that have never been prepared by organic synthesis, even though their described biological properties are promising. More recently, in the field of oncology research, KRAS inhibitors containing dinitrogenated bicylic structures have been described.

Taking a step back, the aim is to make chemical synthesis, and therefore the production of molecules in large quantities, more sustainable: target products are prepared more quickly and efficiently. This speeds up research while reducing the impact on the environment. The fewer steps involved in manufacturing a product, the less water, solvents, reagents and time are used: this means less energy consumption, less waste and lower costs, while also speeding up the process! 

Lionel-Marie Van Geesbergen had already successfully investigated these reactions accelerated by stapling with oxygenated molecules during his master's thesis in chemistry at UNamur in the same laboratory. After only a month and a half of research, the doctoral student has already demonstrated the feasibility of his method with nitrogen molecules.  Now that the approach has been validated, it can be developed to determine its scope and limitations.

As a driver of innovation and development in Europe and in the US, Phoenix Capital develops numerous synergies with universities in Italy and internationally, promoting excellence in education. 

By supporting this research project, Phoenix Capital encourages scientific research and cutting-edge technologies developed by UNamur in the field of synthetic organic chemistry.

It is in universities that ideas are born that can improve people's lives, make supply chains more competitive, and accelerate the transition to sustainable production models. At the heart of this vision are young talents who cultivate a passion for science: researchers who, with curiosity and rigor, transform today's questions into tomorrow's solutions. Building bridges between universities and businesses means giving them tools, time, and trust. This is how we intend to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive, and more responsible innovation ecosystem.

Giovanna Saraconi - CEO Phoenix Group

After three years of postdoctoral research in flow chemistry and natural product synthesis at the University of Cambridge with Prof. Steven Ley, he joined the University of Namur, where he took over the Organic Synthesis Chemistry (COS) laboratory to develop projects in natural product synthesis, new reaction development and medicinal chemistry, while holding various positions within the Chemistry Department and working to constantly improve the teaching of organic chemistry at UNamur.

As part of his internship, he then collaborated with Syensqo on a project to valorise by-products from the polymer industry in the laboratory of Prof. Gwilherm Evano at the Free University of Brussels. These experiences enabled him to obtain his master's degree in June 2024. After graduating, he participated in the supervision and training of undergraduate students in pharmacy and biomedical sciences in chemistry, both during exercise sessions and practical work. In January 2026, he chose to return to Prof. Lanners' team to begin a doctoral thesis and continue the research he had started during his dissertation, focusing on the synthesis of complex nitrogenous molecules with high pharmaceutical potential.