Press release

A world first at the H.U.B in treating cerebral vascular malformations in newborns.

12 June 2025

Brussels, 12 June 2025 – The Department of Interventional Neuroradiology of the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B) is pleased to announce a major scientific discovery that opens the door to a future treatment for complex cerebral vascular malformations in newborns.

This unprecedented medical breakthrough is the fruit of cooperation between the H.U.B’s Department of Interventional Neuroradiology (Prof. B Lubicz) and the Laboratory of Physiology of the ULB’s Faculty of Medicine (Prof. N Baeyens). It is the subject of a publication in the prestigious journal Nature Cardiovascular Research.

Hope for parents worldwide

Cerebral vascular malformations in newborns – including Vein of Galen malformations – are rare but serious abnormalities. They are detected at birth or even during pregnancy. They take the form of abnormal connections between the arteries and veins in the brain that result in a massive influx of blood that can give rise to cardiac insufficiency, haemorrhages or irreversible brain lesions. If untreated, these malformations can pose a danger to the child’s survival and neurological development.

The treatment options have to date been limited: high precision endovascular surgery, performed at a limited number of ultra-specialised centres and involving major risks. When surgery is possible, and this is not always the case, the survival rate can be as high as 80-85%, but in more than 50% of cases the child’s neurological development remains compromised.

The major scientific breakthrough announced by the H.U.B today brings the totally new perspective of developing targeted early stage drug treatment to considerably improve the prognosis for survival of these babies while preserving their brain development from the first days of life.

“We have identified a totally new targeted treatment. This is more than a scientific breakthrough as it brings new hope for newborns whose neurological prognosis was limited.”  Professor Boris LUBICZ, Director of the H.U.B’s Department of Interventional Neuroradiology.

A feat made possible thanks to the H.U.B-ULB ecosystem

This scientific breakthrough illustrates the strength of the H.U.B-ULB care, teaching and research ecosystem as supported by the Fonds Erasme, the Fondation ULB and the FNRS as key players in the funding of innovative medical research.

“This breakthrough is the result of patient, rigorous and audacious fundamental research that has made it possible to develop a disease model, understand its mechanism and propose potential pharmacological treatment. It shows to what extent the bridges between a laboratory and a hospital are vital to the emergence of tomorrow’s treatment.” Professor Nicolas Baeyens, Head of the Laboratory of Physiology (ULB)

“To support paediatric research is to invest in the future. This discovery proves that even the smallest donations save lives.” Cécile Van Parijs, Director of the Fonds Erasme

A call to society: Invest in children’s health

This project would have been impossible without the determined support of the Fonds Erasme and private patrons, whose funding permitted the bringing together of the medical, scientific and technological expertise needed for this unique breakthrough. The project also benefitted from FNRS funding and support from the Fondation ULB and a number of patrons to finance not only the researchers but also the purchase of two state-of-the-art microscopes with which to identify the mechanisms behind these malformations.

This is just the first stage. To transform this discovery into safe treatment accessible to newborns, in the years to come there will be a need for preclinical and clinical trials. These next stages will require an investment estimated at several million euros, contributed by public and private funds and philanthropists. While this breakthrough is already saving lives in theory, it will need on-going financial support to change the reality of these babies.

This is why this medical breakthrough is also a call for mobilisation: paediatricians are greatly under-funded, despite the fact that they are treating the most vulnerable of patients. Every child deserves a future – even if they are facing a rare and complex disease

The H.U.B is today firmly established as a reference centre in Europe, welcoming children from Belgium and abroad to treat these complex cases that require the latest expertise. Thanks to support from investors and donors, its teams will be able to change ever more lives.

Press kit and photos available on request