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FTI Brussels Festival

  • Network, Workshops
  • The Merode - Pl. Poelaert 6, 1000 Bruxelles
19/10/26

FTI Brussels for professionals: Health & Human

Brussels is writing the next chapter in health.

And we’re part of it.

 

 

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About

One day. 12 speakers. One place to meet the people, ideas and innovations driving healthcare and health forward.

On October 19 FTI Brussels brings professionals together at TheMerode for the Health & Human business track.

Expect a programme of keynotes, inspiring cases, in-depth sessions and conversations with experts and leading players in the field. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and potential partners, lunch included.

Beyond that, you also head out to the innovators themselves: your Fast Track is an exclusive visit to a lab, innovation hub or organisation in Brussels.

Program

Explore the full programme and book your Early Bird ticket now:

https://www.ftifestival.be/programma/brussel/business-track-health-human

Keynotes

The programme opens with Jan Steyaert, Professor of Structural Biology at VUB. Drawing on his experience in both academia and business, he will outline how fundamental research is financed, where the journey from lab to market often stalls, and what can help move it forward again.
Erik Janssen, VP Innovation Digital Health at UCB, will complement this perspective with insights from a major European biopharmaceutical company. He will discuss what it truly takes to integrate digital health into practice, from innovation processes and data infrastructure to patient engagement.

Pitches & Deep-Dive Sessions

The programme continues with pitches from:

  • Pierre Cherelle (CEO, Axiles Bionics), who develops bionic limbs that provide amputees with movement that more closely resembles natural motion;
  • Bram Vanderborght (Professor, BruBotics VUB), who designs robots that work with humans rather than independently of them;
  • Seppe Terryn (VUB/imec), who will present his work on soft robotics and self-healing materials;
  • An Jacobs (VUB/FARI), whose research explores how AI systems are designed and whom they serve;
  • Ségolène Martin (CEO, KANTIFY), who will discuss the application of machine learning in drug discovery.

After the coffee break, participants can choose between two in-depth sessions.

Session 1: “Digital Health and AI: From Data to Clinical Practice”

Curated by Koen Kas (Healthskouts)

Gilles Jourquin (CEO, Newpharma) will open with a keynote on the realities of running a digital pharmacy at scale. This will be followed by a conversation with Vincent Keulman (CEO, Andaman7) on what it means for patients to have control over their own medical records.

The session concludes with a panel discussion featuring:

  • Elena Bonfiglioli (Microsoft)
  • Sebastiaan Engelborghs (Founder, Bru-BRAIN)
  • Guy Nagels (Translate AD / AI for Health)
  • Padin Fazelian (Erasmus University College Brussels)

Session 2: “Low Tech, High Touch: Human-Centred Care in Practice”

Curated by Sofie Bekaert (King Baudouin Foundation) through the 8CTP community

Four practitioners from the field will share concrete examples:

  • Nathalie Lambrechts (We Are)
  • Leo Exter (Hack Healthcare)
  • Olivier Cartiaux (ECAM Brussels Engineering School)
  • Odisee University College (with the Te Vroeg project)

They will be joined by Véronique Peters, Annick Dermine (Director, House of Health), and Alexandra Coppieters (Gibbis), who will bring a policy and system-level perspective to the discussion.

Fast Tracks: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access to Brussels Innovators

Brussels and its surrounding region are home to a rich ecosystem of innovative organisations. To truly experience this diversity, innovation will come directly to you: Fast Tracks are short visits to laboratories, innovation hubs, and pioneering organisations across the city. Each ticket includes access to one Fast Track.

For the Human & Health track, participants can choose from four Fast Tracks:

Practical info

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TheMerode, Poelaertplein 6, 1000 Brussel

Fee from €120

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