The main objective of VIB is to strengthen the excellence of Flemish life sciences research and to turn the results into new economic growth.

VIB is member of EU-LIFE, an alliance of leading life sciences research centres in Europe.

[2] The institute is led by Christine Durinx and Jérôme Van Biervliet.

VIB has established several core facilities focused on advanced technologies, which make high through-flow technologies available to academic and industrial researchers in Flanders.

VIB was involved in the creation of spin-offs from academic research groups, such as for Ablynx, DevGen, CropDesign, ActoGeniX, Pronota (formerly Peakadilly), Agrosavfe, Multiplicom, Q-biologicals, SoluCel, Aphea.Bio and Aelin Therapeutics.