Generet Fund
A prestigious award for research in rare diseases in Belgium
What is it about?
On 16 Februari 2023 the name of the Laureate of the fifth Generet Award has been announced. Congratulations to Professor Ludo Van Den Bosch (VIB - KU Leuven) for his research on the underlying mechanisms and the role of HDAC6 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The Generet Award is one of the most prestigious awards in Belgium : 1.000.000 € is yearly granted for a top researcher in rare diseases. In this way, the Fund Generet aims to boost research into rare diseases in Belgium, and ultimately help boost the quality of life of patients and those around them.
The first Generet Prize was awarded in December 2018 to Prof. Mikka Vikkula (Institut de Duve – UCLouvain) for his research into the genetic causes of vascular anomalies. In early 2020 the second winner, neurologist Dr. Steven Laureys (Coma Science Group - University and UZ Liège), was awarded the Prize for his research into a variety of altered states of consciousness. In 2021 the Prize was awarded to Prof. Pierre Vanderhaegen (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain Research and ULB) for research into the genetic causes of rare brain disorders. In 2022, the honor fell to Rosa Rademakers (VIB - UAntwerpen) for her research on rare forms of frontotemporal dementia.