Johan Cardoen has over 30 years of experience in the biotech sector. He was managing director of VIB, one of the world’s premier life science institutes based in Flanders (Belgium), where he was responsible for the innovation and business team. He represented VIB on the boards of directors of various life science and AgTech companies and currently continues to do so at Aphea.Bio. In the past he also held independent board positions at argen-x and Applied Maths (now Biomerieux). Until 2020 he was Chairman of the LP Board of V-Bio Ventures, a dedicated life sciences investment fund focused on early-stage investments. He is currently the chairperson of Meiogenix and member of the board of directors and remuneration committee of Complix.
Johan started his career at Plant Genetic Systems (1988) as business development manager and subsequently AgrEvo Hoechst Schering GmbH and Aventis CropScience (now Bayer CropScience) where he was responsible for all biotech related technology acquisitions. In 1999, Johan joined CropDesign (now BASF) as Vice President Business Development and became CEO in December 2004 where he developed and implemented a dual track strategy (IPO/trade sale) which led to the acquisition of CropDesign by BASF in June 2006. Johan Cardoen holds a PhD in Biology and a Postgraduate degree in business management from KU Leuven, Belgium.