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.
Last week, Flen Health had the privilege of participating in the Wound Care Today conference, held in Milton Keynes. This event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with a diverse array of health care professionals, coming from different backgrounds in wound care. It was great to chat to so many people about Flaminal, Flamigel RT and the area of wound care as a whole. This was one of the busiest years we’ve seen at this conference. The bounty of insightful talks that took place over the two days and the keen participation in the event, shows just how much dedication and passion there is within the field of wound care. 'Dressing for Success' skills zone A special thank you to all who stopped by our skills zone, 'Dressing for Success', where we had the opportunity to share practical tips for dressing lower leg ulcers and delve into the science behind Flaminal®’s mode of action, antimicrobial activity, and the importance of taking steps to delay, and prevent, antimicrobial resistance. We are very much looking forward to seeing both new and familiar faces at more events throughout this year!
On February 7 and 8, we had the privilege of organizing the Dutch Wound Expertise Meeting (NWEM) a joint initiative of Flen Health and two other companies: BiologiQ and Urgo Medical which took place under the leadership of Annemiek Mooij and Marita Schlepers, both nursing specialists, on February 7 and 8, 2024 in Tilburg and Nijkerk. The main goal of the NWEM is really go into depth knowledge about inspiring topics, with the aim of enriching professional skills and, as the ultimate goal, "better wound healing for patients. This year, the NWEM attracted 300 participants. Flen Health's program and contribution to the NWEM From Flen Health, we were honored to welcome Drs. Benn Beuker, trauma surgeon at the University Medical Center Groningen, as our guest speaker. Mr. Beuker's presentation was on fasciitis necroticans, an infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying tissue. With his combination of humor and great expertise, he managed to engage the attendees in this intriguing topic in an engaging and straightforward manner. Then Prof. Dr. M (Marc) Mureau, professor of oncological reconstructive surgery, shared his expertise on repairing complicated wounds caused by cancer. Dr. Kristien van Acker, diabetologist from Belgium, should also be mentioned. In an inspiring way, she discussed the psychosocial elements in wound care for diabetic patients. Dr. Frank van de Goot, pathologist closed both days and with great humor he presented a lively presentation on tunnel vision. He showed how certain things lead to wrong conclusions and his insights prove to be of value again and again. More than just knowledge sharing NWEM was not just about sharing expertise; it was also an opportunity to do something for a good cause. From every admission ticket sold, 25 euros was donated to the Make a Wish foundation, with total proceeds of 7375 euros. This contribution will help fulfill the wishes of children facing serious illnesses.
On the 19th of January, Flen Health became the recipient of the "Best Education on Correct Use" category at the prestigious Consumer Healthcare Communication Awards, which are held by BACHI. This award not only recognizes our dedication to excellence but also emphasizes the critical role of patient education in raising public health awareness. The Consumer Healthcare Communication Awards honor exceptional consumer healthcare advertising initiatives in Belgium. These awards are intended to highlight efforts that effectively communicate critical health information to the Belgian public, creating an environment of informed decision-making and proactive health management. For our team, this award is more than a compliment. It represents a strong commitment to improving healthcare learning and allowing people to make informed decisions about their health. Winning this award for the fourth time demonstrates our solid commitment to excellence in patient education. At the heart of our approach lies a deep knowledge of the importance of clear, accessible health information. We believe that good communication is key to creating a healthier society, and we are constantly striving to innovate in this area. Whether through interactive multimedia campaigns, instructive brochures, or engaging digital content, we are dedicated to providing accurate, practical health advice to a broad range of people. Furthermore, our accomplishment demonstrates the continued importance of patient education in modern healthcare. In an era where misinformation thrives and health-related decisions can have extensive repercussions, the demand for trustworthy, evidence-based information has never been greater. By providing individuals with the knowledge, they need to handle complex health challenges, we enable them to take responsibility for their well-being and effectively advocate for their healthcare needs. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we reflect on the journey that led us here. It is a credit to our team's hard work and dedication to excellence, which has catapulted us to new heights. Furthermore, it reinforces our belief in the capacity of collaboration and innovation to drive substantial change in healthcare communication. Looking ahead, we remain consistent in our mission to take patient education to new heights of impact and effectiveness. We are devoted to pushing the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness in healthcare communication, utilizing emerging technology and insights to better fulfil our audience's requirements. Finally, we express our profound gratitude to BACHI and the Consumer Healthcare Communication Awards for this honour. We also convey our honest gratitude to our clients, partners, and, most importantly, the people whose lives we hope to impact via our work and help them live the life they love. We will continue to support the cause of health literacy and help communities prosper through knowledge and understanding.
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.