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<https://stad.gent/en/lod/news?page=22><http://www.w3.org/ns/hydra/core#member><https://stad.gent/id/news/821373> .
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<http://schema.org/description> "Jan-Willem Hoste and Ruben Van Roosbroeck are developing self-tests for STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea with their company Meep." ;
<http://schema.org/identifier> 821373 ;
<http://schema.org/image><https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/media/images/5_2.jpg> ;
<http://schema.org/inLanguage> "en" ;
<http://schema.org/isPartOf><https://data.stad.gent/data/615> , <https://data.stad.gent/data/629> ;
<http://schema.org/keywords> "success story" ;
<http://schema.org/url><https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent/news-events/illuminating-advances-rapid-std-self-tests-how-photonics-revolutionizing-healthcare> ;
<http://schema.org/dateModified> "2023-05-09T12:57:19+00:00"^^<xsd:dateTime> ;
<http://schema.org/datePublished> "2023-04-21T08:22:56+00:00"^^<xsd:dateTime> ;
<http://schema.org/headline> "Illuminating advances in rapid STD self-tests: how photonics is revolutionizing healthcare" ;
<http://schema.org/articleBody> " <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--table-of-contents paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n <nav class=\"table-of-contents\" aria-labelledby=\"table-of-contents-header\">\n <div class=\"content-container\">\n <h4 id=\"table-of-contents-header\">On this page</h4>\n\n <ul class=\"three-column\">\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/news#in-the-beginning-there-was-nothing\">In the beginning, there was nothing</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/news#breaking-the-taboo-thanks-to-technology\">Breaking the taboo thanks to technology</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/news#local-partnerships-that-have-grown-organically\">Local partnerships that have grown organically</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/news#possible-growth\">Possible growth</a></li>\n <li><a href=\"/en/lod/news#promising-future\">Promising future</a></li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n </nav>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <p><span><span><span>Being the first within a certain expertise means setting the bar particularly high. Yes, we have to admit, it\u2019s ground-breaking work, but convincing others of the added value of that particular product is not always easy. Sometimes, you can only reap the fruits of all that toil many years later. Those later years have now, hopefully, arrived for Meep. Jan-Willem Hoste and Ruben Van Roosbroeck bought the technology of Antelope DX and are now developing self-tests for STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Because there is still a taboo surrounding this topic. The two founders hope that they can break that, so that more people will get tested and eventually treated, offering them the ability to test themselves, comfortably at home.</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>What they\u2019re doing is at the intersection between what we call <a href=\"https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent/future-tech/digi-tech\">digitech</a> and <a href=\"https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent/future-tech/healthtech\">healthtech</a>. We often talk about separate ecosystems, but actually, there are many clever synergies between the different fields. Those intersections make for a thriving technology sector. In the past, that intrinsic Ghent entrepreneurial spirit has made it an excellent place for startups and scale-ups to start and further develop a business here. And Jan-Willem and Ruben\u2019s journey fits that framework like a glove. What follows is a story about those interesting links, building expertise, and a healthy dose of guts.</span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1\">\n \n \n\n<ul class=\"grid-2\">\n <li> <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default\">\n <div class=\"image-gallery--wrapper single\">\n \n\n\n\n <div class=\"image-gallery js-lightbox\">\n <a\n href=\"https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=xYmqnvxI\"\n class=\"gallery-link\"\n aria-describedby=\"image-gallery__open-gallery\"\n >\n \n <figure>\n \n\n\n <picture>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=iPgU-748 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=0Mypimwz 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1680px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=iPgU-748 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=0Mypimwz 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=wi5F3B1P 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=n10KLiNa 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"920\" height=\"1227\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=RIqJ3XHv 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=0BcInZAJ 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"727\" height=\"969\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=HFdrJux7 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=fTt1YZ6q 2x\" media=\"all and (max-width: 575.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"575\" height=\"767\"/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1600\" src=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/2_6.jpg?itok=n10KLiNa\" alt=\"Ruben Van Roosbroeck\" />\n\n </picture>\n\n\n \n \n </figure>\n</a>\n\n \n </div>\n \n </div>\n\n </div>\n</li>\n <li>\n\n \n<div class=\"quote-wrapper\">\n <div class=\"quote\">\n <blockquote>\n <div class=\"content\">\n <p>\n Immediately, I was fascinated by the simplicity and effectiveness of those photonic biosensors.\n </p>\n </div>\n <footer>\n Ruben Van Roosbroeck\n </footer>\n </blockquote>\n </div>\n</div>\n</li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2><a id=\"in-the-beginning-there-was-nothing\" name=\"In_the_beginning,_there_was_nothing\"><span><span><span><strong>In the beginning, there was nothing</strong></span></span></span></a></h2>\n\n<p><span><span><span>What Meep is offering, fits within the trend of digital health. People want to be able to monitor their own health digitally in a simple way. But the technology they\u2019re using to do this is quite recent. Ruben first came into contact with photonics during his training within imec\u2019s Biotech research group. \u201CImmediately, I was fascinated by the simplicity and effectiveness of those photonic biosensors,\u201D he says. And some 15 years ago, Jan-Willem opted for the master\u2019s in Photonics within the Faculty of Engineering at Ghent University, then one of the newer directions. Now he\u2019s seen as one of the pioneers of Ghent\u2019s photonics industry. \u201CPeople were very enthusiastic back then, because the department did pioneering research and you were able to go in all kinds of directions: from telecom to image processing and sensors. They made chips with optical circuits where photons were guided around in small wires. I thought it was pretty neat that you could also do hypersensitive sensing with that.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>Ghent is indeed a pioneer in photonics, with the university and several companies specialising in it. Indigo Diabetes, for example, is a company that develops medical applications for diabetics based on nano photonics, implanting chips just under the skin so that diabetics can monitor their values in a more efficient manner. In case of abnormal glucose levels, a signal is sent to the user via an app. In a similar way, Meep is making people\u2019s lives easier. </span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1\">\n \n \n\n<ul class=\"grid-2\">\n <li>\n\n \n<div class=\"quote-wrapper\">\n <div class=\"quote\">\n <blockquote>\n <div class=\"content\">\n <p>\n We test for STDs and that's still a very delicate diagnosis. That\u2019s why we want to give people the opportunity to test in the safety of their own home.\n </p>\n </div>\n <footer>\n Jan-Willem Hoste\n </footer>\n </blockquote>\n </div>\n</div>\n</li>\n <li> <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default\">\n <div class=\"image-gallery--wrapper single\">\n \n\n\n\n <div class=\"image-gallery js-lightbox\">\n <a\n href=\"https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=zXk0xNKC\"\n class=\"gallery-link\"\n aria-describedby=\"image-gallery__open-gallery\"\n >\n \n <figure>\n \n\n\n <picture>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=L-WqsJyE 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=pLXpGX_9 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1680px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=L-WqsJyE 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=pLXpGX_9 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=tWVyM0YI 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=vzSSaPb_ 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"920\" height=\"1227\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=JfWKTJeD 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=mJNFjk1q 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"727\" height=\"969\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=vTOR4YhI 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=Q17AaQY- 2x\" media=\"all and (max-width: 575.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"575\" height=\"767\"/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" src=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.47.jpg?itok=vzSSaPb_\" alt=\"Jan-Willem Hoste\" />\n\n </picture>\n\n\n \n \n </figure>\n</a>\n\n \n </div>\n \n </div>\n\n </div>\n</li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2><a id=\"breaking-the-taboo-thanks-to-technology\" name=\"Breaking_the_taboo_thanks_to_technology\"><span><span><span><strong>Breaking the taboo thanks to technology</strong></span></span></span></a></h2>\n\n<p><span><span><span>\u201CWe test for STDs and that is still a very delicate diagnosis,\u201D Jan-Willem admits. \u201CThat\u2019s why we want to give people the opportunity to test in the safety of their own home. We focus our product mainly on women, as 1 in 20 young and sexually active women have Chlamydia. Some know it, but others don\u2019t get tested because they\u2019re afraid to go to the doctor. But, of course, that\u2019s a vicious cycle: they don\u2019t get tested and can infect others, who infect others in their turn.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>The light chips themselves are made at imec and are delivered in \u2018wafers\u2019. These are thin slices of silicon, as seen above, consisting of hundreds of light chips. \u201CWe then ensure that a bio-coating is applied\u201D, says Ruben. \u201CWe apply biological receptor molecules to the chip, which can then capture specific human biomarkers from the human sample. The light beams in our chip detect those markers and translate them into a measurable signal.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>They can also customize the chips to measure other biomarkers. \u201CSmall proteins, for example, instead of bacteria\u201D, says Jan-Willem. \u201CThey all have different bio-receptor molecules, often antibodies. Applying those molecules to the chip is what we call the \u2018bioactivation\u2019 of the chip and that is something we do in our own lab. Incidentally, a company based in Ghent that produces these types of antibodies is Biomaric. Just to show that there is a lot of knowledge in Ghent about that part of the chain.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1\">\n \n \n\n<ul class=\"grid-2\">\n <li> <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default\">\n <div class=\"image-gallery--wrapper single\">\n \n\n\n\n <div class=\"image-gallery js-lightbox\">\n <a\n href=\"https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=7ZF9UwUm\"\n class=\"gallery-link\"\n aria-describedby=\"image-gallery__open-gallery\"\n >\n \n <figure>\n \n\n\n <picture>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=n8tJRkcs 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=K48Wsc3L 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1680px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"491\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=n8tJRkcs 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=K48Wsc3L 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"491\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=SDXTJMLE 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=80FSwKzh 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"920\" height=\"690\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=kCIQRtJQ 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=Rn2aiwuG 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"727\" height=\"545\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=hMUZPC-g 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=U1rvMjBK 2x\" media=\"all and (max-width: 575.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"575\" height=\"431\"/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/1_11.jpg?itok=80FSwKzh\" alt=\"Ruben Van Roosbroeck en Jan-Willem Hoste\" />\n\n </picture>\n\n\n \n \n </figure>\n</a>\n\n \n </div>\n \n </div>\n\n </div>\n</li>\n <li>\n\n \n<div class=\"quote-wrapper\">\n <div class=\"quote\">\n <blockquote>\n <div class=\"content\">\n <p>\n There (in Baltimore) was a serious investment in health tech and they also had much larger budgets, but the companies were more dispersed. Here, the tech players are much closer together and like to help each other out.\n </p>\n </div>\n <footer>\n Ruben Van Roosbroeck\n </footer>\n </blockquote>\n </div>\n</div>\n</li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2><a id=\"local-partnerships-that-have-grown-organically\" name=\"Local_partnerships_that_have_grown_organically\"><span><span><span><strong>Local partnerships that have grown organically</strong></span></span></span></a></h2>\n\n<p><span><span><span>The technology used by the duo is based on research at Ghent University and has been ongoing for about 8 years. But during that time, they built solid collaborations. \u201CWe have a long academic track record with imec, because they make our chips,\u201D Ruben says. \u201CBut we also work with other partners, such as <a href=\"https://verhaert.com/\">Verhaert</a>. Our cartridge is made possible thanks to a piece of technology developed for space satellites. In turn, Verhaert has a collaboration with ESA and often looks for space technology applications that can be used here on Earth. Originally, it was a small project, but we\u2019ve been working together for 7 years now.\u201D </span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>For the digital display of the results of these tests, they could rely on Ghent-based In The Pocket. \"Immediately, there was a mutual interest,\" Jan-Willem says. \"They were interested in the development of medical apps, and we were looking for a company with experience in developing apps that transmit data via Bluetooth for a larger group of consumers. The data is then sent to the cloud via the app, to calculate the result of the self-test. The user can easily read a positive or negative result on his or her device.\" </span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>Easy connections like these are just one of the factors that keeps tech players in Ghent. For example, Ruben briefly worked for a startup in Baltimore, United States. \"What was particularly interesting there was the connection with John Hopkins University. There was a serious investment in health tech and they also had much larger budgets, but the companies were more dispersed. Here, the tech players are much closer together and like to help each other out.\" \"Thanks to these collaborations, you create a sense of community, which only makes you stronger in turn,\" Jan-Willem adds.</span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1\">\n \n \n\n<ul class=\"grid-2\">\n <li>\n\n \n<div class=\"quote-wrapper\">\n <div class=\"quote\">\n <blockquote>\n <div class=\"content\">\n <p>\n We're lucky because Ghent is a true \u2018biotech hub\u2019 or \u2018biotech valley\u2019, whatever you want to call it. People who are active in life sciences are really drawn to Ghent.\n </p>\n </div>\n <footer>\n Ruben Van Roosbroeck\n </footer>\n </blockquote>\n </div>\n</div>\n</li>\n <li> <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default\">\n <div class=\"image-gallery--wrapper single\">\n \n\n\n\n <div class=\"image-gallery js-lightbox\">\n <a\n href=\"https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=XexW4Oyw\"\n class=\"gallery-link\"\n aria-describedby=\"image-gallery__open-gallery\"\n >\n \n <figure>\n \n\n\n <picture>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=SWdHY7OQ 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=7aQ0Ru6i 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1680px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"648\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=SWdHY7OQ 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=7aQ0Ru6i 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"648\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=bwrOv9tj 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=wGy1ujdn 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"920\" height=\"910\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=RBAk6Ss6 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=cO8NF3bH 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"727\" height=\"719\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=ng5-Vgy0 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=Fs-9_nc6 2x\" media=\"all and (max-width: 575.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"575\" height=\"569\"/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1840\" height=\"1819\" src=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.473.jpg?itok=wGy1ujdn\" alt=\"Nieuwe medewerker\" />\n\n </picture>\n\n\n \n \n </figure>\n</a>\n\n \n </div>\n \n </div>\n\n </div>\n</li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2><a id=\"possible-growth\" name=\"Possible_growth\"><span><span><span><strong>Possible growth</strong></span></span></span></a></h2>\n\n<p><span><span><span>Above all, the test has to be easy to use. \u201CMost of the existing tests or devices on the current market require complex sample preparation or are too big and expensive for home use\u201D, says Ruben. \u201CWe offer a compact test that guarantees at least the same quality as clinical labs. And thanks to our test, you can get a result in just 20 minutes.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>Meep celebrates its first anniversary this week, and they\u2019ve already hired its first employee. \u201CIn the next twelve months, we want to grow to 10 employees\u201D, says Jan-Willem. \u201CThese will mostly be bio-engineers\u201D, says Ruben. \u201CWe want to further develop our product, and we are lucky because Ghent is a true \u2018biotech hub\u2019 or \u2018biotech valley\u2019, whatever you want to call it. People who are active in life sciences are really drawn to Ghent.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>Of course, additional resources will be needed to achieve growth. That\u2019s why they\u2019re preparing for a capital round. Because the next step is to refine the platform and set up a clinical study with hundreds of clinical samples. For this, they can rely on the cooperation of doctors, hospitals, and STI centres. In addition, they aim to make the test and the app accessible and easy to interpret. Moreover, in the event of a positive result, the patient will also have the option to speak to a doctor about possible treatment via the app.</span></span></span></p>\n\n<p><span><span><span>The data remains the property of the user and cannot be shared with the doctor without permission, but Jan-Willem still hopes that the user will take the step of sending the result to the doctor. \"These tests can certainly relieve general practitioners. Because you could argue that we have a scalability problem in healthcare. General practitioners are overworked and can only take 15 minutes out of their day for each patient. Specialists often have very long waiting times. Triage of care through a home test can offer a solution to this. Just look at how a Covid-19 test ended up in pharmacies. It\u2019s crucial to involve doctors in this story, but the test can easily be administered in other ways, as long as that method is simple, high-quality, and cheap.\"</span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--container paragraph--view-mode--full w10-o1\">\n \n \n\n<ul class=\"grid-2\">\n <li> <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default\">\n <div class=\"image-gallery--wrapper single\">\n \n\n\n\n <div class=\"image-gallery js-lightbox\">\n <a\n href=\"https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=N1itNjNF\"\n class=\"gallery-link\"\n aria-describedby=\"image-gallery__open-gallery\"\n >\n \n <figure>\n \n\n\n <picture>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=wjEhQfpq 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=-JPVqySJ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1680px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_l/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=wjEhQfpq 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_l_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=-JPVqySJ 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 960px) and (max-width: 1679.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"655\" height=\"873\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=Adb8s99b 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=W3GBI3rx 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 959.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"920\" height=\"1227\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=dvViYLNf 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_xl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=ME7f-SPo 2x\" media=\"all and (min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 767.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"727\" height=\"969\"/>\n <source srcset=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_m/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=Uekh6k0R 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/wide_m_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=qW1YQRil 2x\" media=\"all and (max-width: 575.9px)\" type=\"image/jpeg\" width=\"575\" height=\"767\"/>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1452\" height=\"1936\" src=\"/sites/default/files/styles/wide_xxl_x2/public/media/images/Afbeelding%20van%20WhatsApp%20op%202023-04-20%20om%2011.45.472_1.jpg?itok=W3GBI3rx\" alt=\"Apparaat om de zelftest af te nemen\" />\n\n </picture>\n\n\n \n \n </figure>\n</a>\n\n \n </div>\n \n </div>\n\n </div>\n</li>\n <li>\n\n \n<div class=\"quote-wrapper\">\n <div class=\"quote\">\n <blockquote>\n <div class=\"content\">\n <p>\n Once our product is fully developed, the intention is to be able to diagnose rare diseases.\n </p>\n </div>\n <footer>\n Ruben Van Roosbroeck\n </footer>\n </blockquote>\n </div>\n</div>\n</li>\n </ul>\n\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--full\">\n \n\n\n <h2><a id=\"promising-future\" name=\"Promising_future\"><span><span><span><strong>Promising future</strong></span></span></span></a></h2>\n\n<p><span><span><span>The duo certainly believes strongly in their future. \u201COnce our product is fully developed, the intention is to be able to diagnose rare diseases\u201D, Ruben states. \u201CBecause currently, these patients sometimes have to travel long distances to an expert or even to one of our neighbouring countries\u201D, says Jan-Willem. \u201CThey have to undertake a long trip every so often, just to have tests taken. We hope that we can give them the opportunity to use self-tests later on and send the results to their specialists with just one click. These people often have enough to deal with as it is, so let\u2019s make this part of their journeys much simpler.\u201D</span></span></span></p>\n \n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--full cta-block image-none link\">\n \n <div class=\"cta-block__content\">\n <div class=\"feature-block secondary\">\n <h2>Want to know more about photonics?</h2>\n\n \n\n <p>Then come to the Photonic Chips Demo Day on May 9, 2023! On this day, researchers in this field want to explain what photonics is, what its role is, and what the possible applications are for companies. Many Ghent-based companies will be present, including Sentea (in collaboration with Com&Sens), Brolis, and Meep. That way, you'll get to discover the possibilities of this technology!</p>\n \n \n <a href=\"https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/photonics-chips-demo-day-technologies-and-applications-tickets-620772486217\" class=\"button button-secondary\">More info</a>\n \n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n\n <div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--call-to-action paragraph--view-mode--full cta-block image-none link\">\n \n <div class=\"cta-block__content\">\n <div class=\"feature-block secondary\">\n <h2>Discover Invest in Ghent</h2>\n\n \n\n <p>Eager to start a business in Ghent, like Jan-Willem and Ruben? The team Invest in Ghent is ready to help you start or scale your business in Ghent through our expert local guidance and introduction, so your business can grow even further.</p>\n \n \n <ul class=\"links\">\n <li>\n <a href=\"https://stad.gent/en/invest-ghent/contact\" class=\"button button-secondary\">Contact us</a>\n \n </li>\n <li>\n <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/investinghent/\" class=\"standalone-link\">Follow us on LinkedIn</a>\n \n </li>\n </ul>\n </div>\n </div>\n </div>\n" ;
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