Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generate vast amounts of data. Yet many lack the tools to systematically store, filter, and structure this information for practical use. Thatâs where BioLizard comes in.
“Our specialty is managing complex scientific and healthcare data, and applying cutting-edge analytical and digital technologies,” says Dr. Liesbeth Ceelen, CEO of BioLizard. âWe support biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostic companies, and research institutions of all sizes to enable truly data-driven discovery and R&Dâspanning preclinical, translational, and clinical stages. We also have substantial experience in animal health and in supporting food and agriculture research.”
Making Data Accessible and Actionable
BioLizard was founded in 2018 by Wim Van Criekinge and Gerben Menschaert, professors at Ghent University, and biotech entrepreneur Jan Van den Berghe. Jan and Wim had previously launched the Novalis Biotech investment fund. âSome companies have the expertise to handle data efficiently, but through our experience in biotech and pharma financing, we saw that this was a widespread challenge,â says Ceelen. “Itâs not just about managing dataâitâs about asking the right research questions and bringing together the right specialists.” Thatâs why BioLizardâs multidisciplinary team includes biotechnologists, bioinformaticians, data analysts, software developers, and machine learning expertsâmost of whom hold a masterâs degree or PhD.”
“In short, BioLizard unites diverse yet complementary expertise to deploy the latest technological tools, tailored to each clientâs data needsânow and in the future.” Today, the company employs nearly 55 full-time staff. âSome joined us via Ghent University, others from abroadâincluding the US, France, and the Netherlandsâwhere they continue to work remotely.”
Expertise
The teamâs core competencies span advanced bioinformatics, predictive analytics and AI, custom software development, and data governance and architecture. “Our mission is to enable data-driven R&D across all stages, from discovery to clinical development,” Ceelen reiterates. “This applies not only to human healthcare but also to animal health, food, and agriculture R&D.”
Colorectal cancer app
While many collaborations remain confidential, some success stories can be shared. “In partnership with Pierre Fabre Oncology Benelux, we developed an intuitive app to help colorectal cancer patients manage their health,” says Ceelen. The appâs design and features were co-created with healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups in Belgium and the Netherlands, addressing patient needs throughout their treatment journey. “This is part of a broader effort to build an ecosystem around colon cancer,â she adds. âThe app is already in use in the Benelux, soon also in Finland, and weâre exploring rollouts in other European countries.”
Predicting Kidney Transplant Outcomes
For U.S.-based Verici Dx, BioLizard explored the role of AI in biomarker discovery and risk assessment for kidney transplants. “Biomedical data is growing in both volume and complexity,â Ceelen notes. âExtracting actionable insights that improve patient outcomes remains a major challenge. While the integration of AI into bioinformatics is transforming how biomarkers are discovered and developed, human expertise remains essential.”
The result: Tutivia, a blood-based diagnostic tool that uses RNA signature analysis and computational biology to predict acute kidney transplant rejection. The project combined multi-omics data with machine learning to identify new biomarkers, improve risk stratification, and support clinical decision-making.
