In the scope of marathon running, few stories are as fascinating as that of Koen Naert, a Belgian athlete who seamlessly blends the worlds of professional running and nursing. This article breaks down Koen's extraordinary journey, highlighting his evolution from a spirited young runner to an experienced marathon professional with a unique background in healthcare Koen recounts his early passion for running, painting a vivid picture of his progression from a young enthusiast to an experienced marathon runner. The unexpected twist of working as a nurse at the burns centre while entering the marathon world is unveiled, showcasing the support that propelled him towards a professional athletic career. "First, I was a runner because I started running when I was six years old. I evolved from a five to ten-kilometer runner, to a cross-country runner to a marathon runner,” said Koen. Flamigel®: A Familial Connection and Professional Integration: Koen shares his first encounters with Flamigel®, drawing parallels between familial habits and the reliability of this wound care product. The integration of Flamigel® into his professional healthcare career becomes evident, underscoring its familiarity and importance in Belgium's medicine. “Flamigel® is a very familiar product in Belgium and everyone has it in the medicine closet." Balancing Nursing and High-Level Sports: When asked about his partnership with Flamigel®, he had the following to say, “In life, I have three passions: my family, marathon running or just running, and healthcare. And as an athlete and healthcare ambassador, I want to tell a story. I want to be able to inspire and motivate people, not only in running but also in healthcare. I realized I could do that together with Flamigel®.” He added, “This partnership allows me to do some nice storytelling and to be very authentic...I want people to know that behind the professional runner, I am a healthcare professional." Koen reflects on the uniqueness of combining nursing and high-level sports. The intense study period, combining a bachelor's degree with a professional athletic career, shapes his resilient mindset. His experiences in healthcare, particularly in a burn care centre, become a source of mental strength during challenging training moments. “I take with me on difficult days the resilience of those patients who fought for their healing," he said. Contributing to Public: Concerning his recent experience in Kenya, Koen shares how impactful this experience has been, emphasizing his gratitude for the hospitality. His vision of contributing to public health in Kenya through education and wound care projects is shown, showcasing his dedication to making a lasting impact. "I hope in the future we can do something bigger and meaningful to help the people in Kenya - that would be my big goal and a big dream." Life Philosophy and Balance: The insights gained from the burn care centre guide his approach to training, promoting a balance between determined boundaries and respecting individual pain thresholds. According to him, "Don't be afraid to dig deep, but always be careful and listen to your body. I think that is something I learned from wound care." But how does he balance his passion for running and healthcare? Koen shares his philosophy on life balance, prioritizing family, marathon running, and healthcare. His commitment to continuous learning, pursuing postgraduate studies, and maintaining a balance between athletic pursuits and nursing studies is unmistakable. "Balance in life is very important. I want to stay updated so that when my marathon career ends, I am ready to enter the working field as a healthcare professional again." Advocacy for Proper Wound Care: Koen underscores the necessity of proper wound care, expressing concern that even healthcare professionals may lack essential knowledge. As an ambassador, he aims to provide accurate information and raise awareness about the fundamentals of wound care. In conclusion, Koen Naert's journey is a testament to the fusion of passion, resilience, and a commitment to make a positive impact in both the marathon world and healthcare. As he continues to inspire and educate, his unique story serves as an example for aspiring athletes and healthcare enthusiasts alike, highlighting the extraordinary possibilities that unfold when two worlds seamlessly collide.
Kontich, Belgium, 23 June 2023 Flen Health is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 1.7 million research and development grant by the Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO – for short) to leverage further its leading expertise in biological wound treatment research and development. The award represents the funding at approximately 60% of a 3.0 million project. Funding from the grant will serve to further accelerate the deployment of Flen Health’s unique Enzyme technology and research platform and will lead to a deeper understanding of recombinant engineering and the development of unique and novel biological enzyme-based treatments for non-healing and chronic wounds. Enabling cross-fertilizing the company’s growing pipeline of patented and breakthrough candidate drugs in wound and skin care. Gilles Brackman, Vice President of Research & Development of Flen Health, commented, “I am honoured by the recognition and financial support from VLAIO and pleased to contribute to their commitment to stimulate Biotechnological research and development in Flanders, Belgium. This grant allows us to further strengthen our enzyme-technology platform capabilities and represent an important accelerator in the further development of enzyme-based biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of chronic and difficult-to-heal wounds. This will position Flen Health as a true innovative wound and skincare company with multiple shots at goal.” “I am thrilled that VLAIO has recognized the breakthrough science that we undertake at Flen Health which endorses the quality level of our research projects,” said Philippe Sollie, CEO of Flen Health. “This grant is a support for our project to manufacture enzymes at a pharmaceutical quality level. Executing this project will do even more than that. With this project, we are creating at Flen Health a platform technology for the identification, GMP manufacturing and registration of therapeutic proteins that transform the lives of patients with wounds and skin diseases. We are well on track to further push our extraordinary goal and provide patients across the globe with our innovative transformative treatments that help these patients live the life they love” he concluded. Flen Health remains committed to its mission of advancing wound and skin healing through groundbreaking research, and this grant from VLAIO will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company's ongoing work. About Flen Health Flen Health is an international family enterprise with affiliates in Europe and the United States and strategic partnerships and distributor agreements worldwide. These allow Flen Health to develop and market medical devices and pharmaceutical products that meet its original mission of providing innovative skin and wound healing solutions to address unmet patient needs. In recent years, Flen Health was labelled as an EU innovative company and has secured millions of non-dilutive funding for R&D activities within its innovation centres and in collaboration with academic and institutional partners.
Brno, the Czech Republic, 13 April 2023Flen Health Group S.A., a leading global provider of innovative wound care solutions, is excited to announce the signing of a joint venture with Dahlhausen Holding AG and ING. RADIM BEDAN, longstanding partners and one of the first international distributors of Flamigel®. This strategic collaboration is set to be a catalyst for the wound care division, further strengthening Flen Health’s presence in Europe.With over 23 years of successful partnership, the parties have built a strong relationship based on trust, expertise, and shared values. The joint venture aims to leverage this synergy to enhance the distribution of Flen Health's products, Flamigel® and Flaminal®, in the Czech and Slovakian markets. Flamigel® is a unique hydro-active colloid gel that provides effective wound healing and creates an optimal moist healing environment, while Flaminal® is an enzymatic wound debridement agent that supports wound healing in chronic and acute wounds or wounds at risk of infection.The joint venture is expected to result in increased availability and accessibility of Flamigel®and Flaminal® products in the Czech and Slovakian markets, benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike. Flen Health remains committed to its vision of advancing wound care through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships and looks forward to furthering success through the newly created entity FLEN HEALTH S.R.O.
Esch-sur-Alzette, 12 January 2023 - The House of Biohealth (HoBH) proudly celebrated the inauguration of its third building yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the biomedical industry in Esch-sur-Alzette. Flen Health, a leading provider of innovative skin and woundcare solutions, is delighted to have been chosen as one of the three companies, among the twenty present on the site, to receive the esteemed visit of H.R.H. Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, Paulette Lenert, Minister of Health, Franz Fayot, Minister of Economy, Georges Mischo, Mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, Simone Asselborn-Bintz, Mayor of Sanem, and Jeannot Fürpass, Mayor of Mondercange. During the inauguration ceremony, Flen Health had the privilege of hosting the distinguished delegation in its laboratory. Philippe Sollie, CEO of Flen Health, and Gilles Brackman, VP of Research and Development, were granted the opportunity to showcase the company's cutting-edge research activities and innovative products. The compelling presentation captivated the interest and curiosity of H.R.H. Crown Prince Guillaume, particularly regarding Flen Health's ground-breaking solutions in the fields of skin and woundcare. Flen Health holds a special place in the history of the House of Biohealth. In 2015, when the first building was inaugurated, Flen Health became the pioneering company to establish its presence within the HoBH in Esch-sur-Alzette. The House of Biohealth serves as a hub for companies focused on biotechnology and digital health technologies, playing a pivotal role in the "Campus He:al" project. This ambitious venture includes the construction of a dozen new structures and the provision of 120,000 square meters of business space. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the campus is set to flourish and become a vibrant center of innovation and collaboration. Flen Health extends its gratitude to H.R.H. Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, the esteemed delegation, and the House of Biohealth for the honor of their visit. This significant event reaffirms Flen Health's commitment to advancing healthcare through groundbreaking research and development, and its dedication to contributing to the thriving biomedical community in Esch-sur-Alzette.
Flen Health specialising in advanced solutions for wound and skin healing was awarded a 2.3 million research, development, and innovation grant by the Ministry of the Economy of Luxembourg (MECO) Esch-sur-Alzette, 14th January 2022: Flen Health is proud to announce that it has been awarded a 2.3 million research, development, and innovation (RDI) grant, by the Ministry of the Economy of Luxembourg. This grant enables Flen Health to further leverage its leading expertise in wound and skincare research and development. It will also serve to further accelerate the deployment of its unique integrated technology and research platforms. More specifically, the activities conducted under the grant will lead to a deeper understanding of key drivers that contribute to the non-healing nature of chronic wounds. Thus, enabling cross-fertilizing the company’s growing pipeline of patented and breakthrough candidate drugs in wound and skin care. Gilles Brackman, Vice President of Research & Development of Flen Health, commented, “We are very pleased with the financial support and recognition from MECO and their commitment to stimulate research, development, and innovation in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Since the foundation of our research centre in Luxembourg at the end of 2017, we have significantly invested in the build-up of our research and technology platforms to generate novel therapeutics against several targets in wound and skin care. The funding will allow us to progress in our research and further develop a differentiating, novel mode of action candidate medicines. This will position Flen Health as a true innovative wound and skincare company with multiple shots at goal.” Philippe Sollie, CEO of Flen Health, commented: “We are pleased that MECO has recognised the breakthrough science that will enable us to discover and develop therapeutic programs aiming to transform the lives of patients with chronic skin and wound care diseases. We are well-positioned to increasingly push our ambitious goal to develop potentially transformative treatments supporting patients to live the life they love.” Flen Health has been the recipient of a similar grant in the past. This grant has contributed to the pre-clinical research and development of new and innovative technologies, which are continuing the task of answering unmet needs for specific skin disorders. A patent application has been filed. About us Flen Health is an international family enterprise with affiliates in Europe, the US, and UAE as well as strategic partnerships and distributor agreements worldwide. These allow Flen Health to develop and market medical devices and pharmaceutical products that meet its original mission in providing innovative skin and wound healing solutions to address unmet patient needs. In recent years, Flen Health was labelled as an EU innovative company and has secured millions of non-dilutive funding for R&D activities both within its own innovation centres as well as in collaboration with academic and institutional partners. Learn more about Flen Health
Yesterday evening, two Consumer Healthcare Communication Awards (CHCA) were awarded to Flamigel® in the category PROPER USE. For the first prize all votes of consumers, pharmacists and a professional jury were considered and for the second prize, the votes of the Jury only took account. The CHCA is handed over by BACHI and aims to reward the best consumer healthcare advertising campaigns to the Belgian public. The first edition of the contest was launched in February 2019 and also here Flamigel® won in two categories EFFICIENCY and PROPER USE voted by consumers, pharmacists and the jury. Thanks to everyone who supported us! We are very proud of our Marketing Team that worked on this successful campaign and happy to see this positive feedback from consumers, pharmacists and the professional jury. About Flamigel® Flamigel® is an innovative gel that contributes to faster wound healing and prevention of scar formation. The hydro-active colloid gel works to the effective principle of moist wound healing. More information on our medical solution for superficial wounds here. About Flen Health Flen Health is an international family enterprise with affiliates in Europe, US, and UAE as well as strategic partnerships and distributor agreements worldwide. These allow Flen Health to develop and market medical devices and pharmaceutical products that meet its original mission in providing innovative skin and wound healing solutions to address unmet patient needs.
Kontich, 31st August 2020: Flen Health has been awarded with the BioSense Solutions grant, which supports innovative research projects on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). With this grant opportunity Flen Health will leverage its research and expertise on patented antimicrobial enzyme- and potentiator-based complexes. Antimicrobial resistance has the potential to affect people at any stage of life making it one of the world’s most urgent public health problems. Therefore, in one of its research projects, Flen Health actively investigates long-term medical solution for infected wounds or wounds at risk of infection, while limiting the risk of AMR-development during treatment. The BioSense Solutions grant will allow Flen Health to access an advanced microscopic oCelloScope™ technology. “Access to this technology will enable us to accelerate the collection of antimicrobial susceptibility and growth kinetics data as well as promote the identification of morphology responses within our multidisciplinary research project”, explains Eveline Torfs, R&D Specialist at Flen Health. “From an healthcare perspective, these insights are extremely interesting, as they form a strong fundament for the development of effective advanced enzyme-based wound care products with a potential to overcome AMR.”, concludes Gilles Brackman, VP R&D at Flen Health. About Flen Health Flen Health is an international family enterprise with affiliates in Europe, US, and UAE as well as strategic partnerships and distributor agreements worldwide. These allow Flen Health to develop and market medical devices and pharmaceutical products that meet its original mission in providing innovative skin and wound healing solutions to address unmet patient needs. In the recent years, Flen Health was labelled as an EU innovative company and has secured millions of non-dilutive funding for R&D activities both within its own innovation centres as well as in collaboration with academic and institutional partners. Learn more about Flen Health
Luxembourg, 9th August 2020: Flen Health expresses its solidarity to Lebanon by donating Flaminal® Hydro and Flaminal® Forte in the value of 270.000 € to help thousands of injured people after two explosions hit the city of Beirut on 4th August 2020. As several hospitals have been destroyed or are only half operational, numerous healthcare professionals in operational medical facilities face the challenge of taking efficient care of the many injured and also having to deal with the effects of COVID-19. “As a company specialized in wound healing, we want to help and contribute to better patient care where needed. Flaminal® can be used by healthcare professionals as well as patients to quickly and efficiently treat severe wounds caused by the explosions”, says Simon Eaves, International Business Developer at Flen Health. Now, that the donation is approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Beirut, Flen Health is able to ship the needed goods via air transport from Luxembourg directly to the MOH. Subsequently, the wound healing ointment can be distributed to all government hospitals. Flen Health’s local contact will be able to be in touch with the healthcare professionals in Lebanon to provide on the ground support. “The donation will go to governmental hospitals in all Lebanon. Due to the catastrophe in Beirut and lots of injuries and burn cases hospitals are in need of medical donations. No one knows how the current situation evolves but with the help we receive we can clearly move one step forward and improve wound care where needed the most”, explains Ola Hajjeh, Pharmacist at Hajjeh Pharmacy in Lebanon. About Flen Health Flen Health believes biotech innovations can help to build a securer life for all of us. With its product portfolio, Flen Health aims to improve the quality of life of people suffering from inflammatory or infectious skin diseases in a responsible way. Furthermore, provide added value to patients, healthcare professionals and health authorities. Learn more about Flen Health
Esch-sur-Alzette, 30th July 2020: Together with the Minister of Economy, Franz Fayot, Flen Health’s CEO, Philippe Sollie and Flen Health’s VP R&D, Gilles Brackman reflected on how the BioHealth sector in Luxembourg has developed over the previous years and what role Flen Health has played and will play towards Luxembourg’s BioHealth. Since 2011 Flen Health’s headquarters have been located in Luxembourg. In 2017 the medical device and biotechnology company secured an important R&D fund provided by the Ministry of Economy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and an additional loan supplied by the EFSI. Flen Health was able to grow its R&D work force and also able to work on several R&D projects that supported the development of innovative biotechnologies. “Flen Health is grateful for the financial aid it receives from government bodies and commits to use that aid responsibly to realise its mission. Our mission is clear and hasn`t changed since I founded the company in 2000. Flen Health develops innovation that helps people around the world, with infectious and inflammatory disorders, live the life they love”, says Philippe Sollie. In total Flen Health secured over €2.5 million non-dilutive funding over the past two & half years and has over €8 million non-dilutive funding pending this year, not only in Europe but also in the US. “With a new promising project, that we would like to realise in Luxembourg, aimed at integrative treatment development, we will significantly change how wounds are treated. These disruptive technologies are being developed in our in-house facilities as well as in collaboration with research centres in Europe and the USA. But our mission is not only to develop innovative technologies but also to support in building a more inclusive community, support social and economic growth”, explains Gilles Brackman. About Flen Health Flen Health believes biotech innovation can help to build a securer life for all of us. With its product portfolio, Flen Health aims to improve the quality of life of people suffering from inflammatory or infectious skin diseases in a responsible way by providing added value for patients, healthcare professionals and health authorities. Learn more about Flen Health