The 5th CRIG Industrial Partnering event connected 120 stakeholders to accelerate oncology innovation – February 6th, 2026

CRIG

The 5th CRIG Industrial Partnering Event marked a special milestone: the 10‑year anniversary of the Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG).

Continuing the strong tradition established by the successful events in 2019, 2021, and 2023, the 5th CRIG Industrial Partnering event brought once again together a vibrant community of oncology innovators, reaffirming CRIG’s commitment to fostering collaboration between academia, clinicians, and industry to accelerate impactful innovation in the fight against cancer.

 

A Dynamic Program Showcasing Scientific and Industrial Excellence

Participants enjoyed a rich, full-day program featuring:

  • A plenary session on unlocking novel intratumoral cancer therapies, delivered by Dr. Rosa Martín (J&J)  
  • A talk on cell therapy platforms at AstraZeneca, the event’s gold sponsor
  • Five thematic pitch sessions where CRIG and industry experts provided insights on

        - Drug development and delivery

        - Oncology models and enabling technologies

        - Therapeutics

        - Diagnostics and platforms technologies

        - CRIG spin-offs and new start-ups  

  • Sponsor booths showcasing the latest tools, platforms, and services supporting cancer research.
  • A showcase of selected Core Facilities of Ghent University, with state-of-the-art technologies available for academia and industry.

The program reflected CRIG’s mission: to create a forum where scientific breakthroughs, clinical insights, and industrial innovation converge to accelerate impact for cancer patients.

 

Networking at the Heart of the Event

True to the spirit of the CRIG Industrial Partnering series, the event offered numerous opportunities to connect:

  • Informal exchanges during coffee breaks
  • A lively Speed Dating session designed to spark new collaborations
  • A networking lunch and closing reception that encouraged deeper conversations and partnership building.

Participants from CRIG groups, nonprofit research institutions, and lifescience companies engaged enthusiastically, reinforcing the event’s role as a catalyst for crosssector collaboration.
 

A Growing Community of Oncology Innovators

With each edition, the CRIG Industrial Partnering Event reaffirms its footprint in the (Gent) oncology innovation ecosystem. The 5th edition reaffirmed the value of bringing together diverse stakeholders to share insights, explore synergies, and collectively advance the fight against cancer.

 

The event in numbers 


118 delegates 
40 different affiliations of which 36 companies 
59 CRIG members (clinicians, profs and postdocs) 
6 sponsors 
1 keynote presentation
1 gold sponsor talk 
5 sessions 
21 pitches presented 
 

Looking Ahead

CRIG remains committed to fostering collaboration and innovation within the oncology ecosystem. The success of this 5th edition sets the stage for future events that will continue to connect researchers, clinicians, and industry partners in meaningful and impactful ways.

 

Join us as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, accelerate meaningful progress, and advance impactful change in oncology

Central point of contact: 
Dr. Cristina Pintucci, CRIG project manager – business unit 
cristina.pintucci@ugent.be 
+32 487 78 70 45 

 

Relive the event!