Europe’s scale-up challenge takes center stage at Knowledge for Growth 2026
Antwerp, Belgium – 03 June 2026 – Knowledge for Growth, Europe’s largest regional human & planetary health innovation conference, returns to Antwerp on 03 and 04 June 2026. Organized by health innovation cluster Biovia, this year’s edition is built around the theme “No Borders, Just Breakthroughs” and places one urgent question at the center of the program: Europe can innovate, but can it scale?
“Europe has everything it takes to lead the next chapter of health innovation—the talent, the innovation capacity, the breakthroughs. What we need now is the collective will to take that momentum to the next level. Because at the end of the day, we simply cannot afford to stop life-saving innovations from reaching European patients,” notes Ann Van Gysel, CEO of Biovia.
That challenge is becoming increasingly visible across the European health innovation landscape. Belgian biotech company Agomab Therapeutics recently chose to go public on Nasdaq in the United States rather than in Europe, underlining the structural barriers European scale-ups continue to face when seeking growth capital, international visibility and market expansion.
“Europe produces world-class science and innovation, but too many companies are still hampered in their growth,” says Tim Knotnerus, CEO of Agomab Therapeutics. “If we want to scale companies and retain innovation, talent and value creation in Europe, we need higher ambition levels, focus on excellence and access to growth capital.”
That reality will be addressed head-on during Knotnerus’ keynote “How to scale a biotech company” (1). Complementing this, Søren Møller, Managing Partner of Seed Investments at Novo Holdings, will share key lessons from the Nordics—one of Europe’s strongest ecosystems for transforming scientific excellence into globally competitive companies.(2).
This is where Knowledge for Growth aims to make a difference. From innovators to investors backing the next wave, accelerators shaping early-stage companies and global healthcare leaders, the conference brings together the full ecosystem needed to turn innovation into impact.
The participation of companies such as Novo Nordisk in the ‘Life Sciences & Healthtech Scale-up Showcase’(3) underscores a critical shift: Scaling in Europe is no longer a solo journey but rather depends on direct engagement between high-growth companies and global industry leaders.
The program also highlights the growing need for European collaboration at ecosystem level. A panel discussion(4) will explore what it takes to build a European “Champions League” for health innovation: a stronger network of connected ecosystems capable of attracting international investment, talent and partnerships at scale. This conversation reflects the broader ambition behind “No Borders, Just Breakthroughs”: strengthening collaboration across Europe to ensure innovation can grow beyond regional and national boundaries.
For Biovia, the conference directly reflects one of its strategic priorities: accelerating market access for pioneers and SMEs. Across the ecosystem, companies continue to face structural barriers ranging from complex regulation and fragmented healthcare systems to limited access to growth financing.
The event closes with a fireside chat(5) on a new playbook for surviving today’s tough economy. As economic pressures continue to reshape the innovation landscape, the conversation will focus on what companies need not only to stay resilient but to continue building and expanding innovation from Europe beyond its borders.
“The current market environment is forcing companies to think differently about growth and long-term value creation,” says Steven Biesmans, Principal at UCB Ventures. “More than ever, success depends on connecting the right expertise, networks and capital across the innovation ecosystem,” adds Wim Van Hecke, CEO of Icometrix.
The question is no longer whether Europe can innovate. It is whether we can scale what we build—and keep that value in Europe.
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About Knowledge for Growth
Knowledge for Growth is Europe’s largest regional health innovation conference. This is where Europe’s health innovation leaders in medical biotech, medtech, digital health, agtech and industrial biotech leaders come together and stop talking in silos. The event aims to respond to the current economic challenges by giving companies a stronger stage, facilitating matchmaking across the ecosystem and connecting innovators with decision-makers, investors, clinicians and international partners. The two-day conference also creates space for broader discussions around interoperability, regulatory guidance, talent access and cross-border collaboration.
The 22nd edition of Knowledge for Growth takes place on 03 & 04 June 2026 at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp.
More information and registration: https://www.knowledgeforgrowth.be/
About Biovia
Biovia is the health innovation cluster for Flanders, Belgium, uniting human and planetary health into one vibrant ecosystem. It is an industry-driven membership organization for medical biotech, medtech, digital health, agtech and industrial biotech.
Biovia is one of six spearhead clusters supported by the government agency Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), bringing together more than 350 members and many partners, including companies, research institutes, universities, hospitals, service providers, investors and government.
The cluster supports members through building, funding, education, connection and representation to help companies develop health solutions and succeed in Belgium and beyond.
Biovia fosters a robust environment for health innovation in Flanders so we can grow stronger, together––forging a path to a healthier future for people and planet.
More at: biovia.be
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(1) 04 June – Keynote: ‘How to scale a biotech company’ – Tim Knotnerus, Agomab Therapeutics
(2) 03 June – International Keynote: ‘Building Global Life Sciences Champions – Lessons from the Nordics’ – Søren Møller, Managing Partner, Seed Investments, Novo Holdings
(3) 03 June – ‘Life Sciences & Healthtech Scale-up Showcase’ – Ken Coppieters, Novo Nordisk
(4) 04 June – Panel: ‘Join Forces or Lose Ground: The Only Way Europe Wins Is Together’ – Anette Steenberg, Medicon Valley Alliance | Ann Van Gysel, Biovia | James Rose, Health Innovation Oxford & Thames Valley | Alexander Becker, Basel Area Business & Innovation | Moderated by Stamie Kritas, Council of European BioRegions (CEBR)
(5) 04 June – Closing fireside chat: 'Surviving in a tough economy…a new playbook for innovation' – Wim Van Hecke, Icometrix | Steven Biesmans, UCB Ventures | Moderated by Ann Van Gysel, Biovia