Monsana, founded by Dr. Valerie Vandeweerd and Simeon Devos, raised €500,000 to enhance its AI-driven patient recruitment platform, aiming to transform clinical trial processes and improve access to experimental treatments in Belgium and beyond.

Target Information

In 2024, Dr. Valerie Vandeweerd (CEO) and Simeon Devos (CTO) established the start-up Monsana. With Valerie's background as a former gynecologist and her experience in clinical trials at Johnson & Johnson, she witnessed firsthand the difficulties in matching patients with appropriate studies. This challenge became particularly apparent when a family member required access to experimental treatment. "It was a pivotal moment when all the pain points converged: as a physician, from the pharmaceutical perspective, and as a patient’s family member, we experienced the complexity of matching patients to suitable clinical trials," she recalls.

Motivated by this negative experience, Valerie and Simeon decided to combine their expertise to develop an AI assistant aimed at enhancing patient recruitment for clinical trials. While Valerie possesses a strong medical background, Simeon brings significant expertise in data science. He stated, "To date, most screenings are still performed manually. However, there is a shortage of personnel for this task, which results in high costs for hospitals. With our AI assistant, we offer a solution that is both efficient and cost-effective."

Industry Overview in Belgium

Belgium boasts a robust healthcare sector that is characterized by its advanced pharmaceutical industry and reputable research institutions. This environment fosters innovation and contributes significantly to the development of clinical trials, making it