Alumni Hub
Welcome to the QbD Alumni Hub – your space to reconnect, catch up, and stay inspired. Whether you’ve started a new chapter in your career, launched your own venture, or simply want to stay close to the QbD Group community, you’re in the right place. Because even when one chapter ends, the book isn’t finished - and you’ll always be part of our story.
📖 Before the next chapter...
Before turning the page to QbD’s latest news and updates, we want to give you a warm goodbye video - a moment to pause, smile, and remember the journey we’ve shared.
🧭 What's up at QbD Group?
Big or small, every milestone moves the story forward. Get a quick glimpse of what’s been happening across the QbD Group ecosystem.
QbD Group at the World CB & CDx Summit Europe in London
At the end of March, Kirsten Van Garsse, Business Unit Manager RA IVD & Representative Services, took the stage at the World CB & CDx Summit Europe in London as a panelist in the session “Grey Zones and Growing Pains: The Realities of Pharma–Dx Collaboration.”
Joined by Erica Kremer, Director Program Management & Compliance at GenDx, and a pharma company representative, Kirsten discussed the real challenges of combined drug–diagnostic development, covering timelines, data requirements, and regulatory accountability under IVDR. The conversation centred on how to build strong, compliant partnerships without slowing innovation.
Building on the momentum from London, QbD Group and GenDx hosted a joint webinar on 8 April titled “Navigating Grey Zones & Growing Pains: Developments in the Regulatory CDx Space”. A great opportunity to go deeper on the topics discussed at the summit.
Almudena del Castillo Visits SciencePharma
An important step was taken recently in the integration of QbD Group’s Vigilance activities across borders. Almudena del Castillo, Global Head of the Vigilance Division, paid a visit to SciencePharma, marking a meaningful moment in bringing the international Vigilance team closer together.
The visit reflects QbD Group’s ongoing commitment to building a truly connected, cross-border Vigilance division, and signals that the work of aligning teams, knowledge, and ways of working across countries is well and truly underway.
A promising step forward for the division, and for the colleagues involved on both sides.
Lab Quercus Expands Its Mass Spectrometry Capabilities
Lab Quercus continues to grow, and so does its analytical toolkit. In our ongoing commitment to supporting clients with dedicated, high-quality laboratory services, we have recently invested in two powerful new technologies:
GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry)
Qtof MS (Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry)
These additions allow Lab Quercus to provide even more precise and comprehensive QC support, covering critical areas such as residual solvents, nitrosamines, and more.
A strong step forward in our mission to keep delivering cutting-edge analytical support to our clients.
QbD Group at OCT Medical Devices Europe 2026
How do you build and scale a clinical affairs team with the right expertise? That was the central question at the heart of a panel discussion at OCT Medical Devices Europe 2026 in Munich, where Petra De Geest took the stage alongside fellow industry experts to share her insights.
The conversation covered some of the most pressing challenges in clinical affairs today:
Balancing in-house expertise with outsourced support
Defining key Clinical Affairs roles, from CER writing to PMCF strategy
Creating sustainable career pathways for evidence specialists
🎗️ QbD Foundation Initiatives
Through the QbD Group Foundation, we invest our time, skills, funds, and energy into local projects that create a positive impact. Our focus? Supporting science, helping individuals and families facing health challenges, protecting the environment, and fostering QbD Group’s broader social commitment.
Take a look below at the initiatives we’re proud to support — they’re key chapters in our collective journey.
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De Collectie: Giving Clothes a Second Life ♻️
This January, QbD Group joined forces with De Collectie, an Antwerp-based initiative that gives donated clothing and textiles a second life while supporting people in need. A simple action with a double impact: supporting people in need and reducing textile waste at the same time. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make this collection a success!
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Spreading Smiles: A Commitment That Goes Beyond 😊
Growing as a company must always go hand in hand with creating real value for the people and communities around us. That belief came to life once again this December through the “Make a Child Happy” campaign in Spain. The campaign went beyond putting smiles on faces. It aimed to create meaningful experiences that leave a lasting, positive mark on young lives
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Katrinahof: How Small Actions Create Meaningful Impact
At QbD Group, meaningful impact does not always start with big gestures. Sometimes it starts with a used tea bag envelope.
We are proud to shine a spotlight on Katrinahof, a wonderful organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, including Wim, the brother of our CEO Bart Van Acker. At our Antwerp office, we collect used tea bag envelopes that the residents of Katrinahof creatively reuse in their craft projects.
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In 2025, We Rallied for Fin 💛
In 2025, the QbD Group Foundation rallied behind Fin, a brave little boy living with 1p36 Deletion Syndrome and the nephew of our colleague Lauren Van Duyse.
Thanks to the generosity of our colleagues, we raised a total of €1,821.89, handed directly to Fin and his mama to help cover the care and support they need.
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A Big Thank You to Our Blood Donors!
In April, a group of QbD Group colleagues rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at Donorcentrum Edegem. A simple but powerful act, as a single donation can help save up to three lives.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part. You made a real difference!
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2026 Charity: World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)
For 2026, the QbD Group Foundation has chosen the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) as its supported charity. This is a cause with a deeply personal dimension for our team.
Our colleague Caroline Aernouts is directly affected by this disease through her daughter Renée. She shared her experience with us in her own words:
Life at QbD
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Battlekarting with the J&J LIO Team
Our QbD Group team on the LIO project at J&J Beerse hit the track for a battlekarting teambuilding in Herentals. Fast, fun, and the perfect way to connect outside the office!
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Pottery Class in the UK
On March 26th, QbD Group ambassador Kamilla Howitt organized a pottery class for the UK team. Creative, hands-on, and a brilliant way to connect. A masterpiece of team bonding!
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SciencePharma Celebrates NetSuite
In February, the Polish SciencePharma team marked a successful month of using the NetSuite system. The milestone was celebrated the right way: with cake! Congratulations to the team!
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Sip of Success — Edition 4
On 8 April, 50 young life sciences talents came to our Antwerp office and left with new connections, honest answers, and a clearer picture of what a career in life sciences actually looks like. Looking ahead to September and October, when some of these eager faces will officially join us as part of our Young Potentials Program.
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Easter Breakfast Netherlands
On April 2nd, our Dutch colleagues were treated to a cosy Easter breakfast at the office. A warm and festive way to celebrate the season together before a well-deserved long weekend.
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Get Together in Wallonia
Our Gosselies office brought all Wallonian consultants together for a local get-together with drinks, bites, and the latest updates. A great moment to connect close to home!
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Office Opening & 10 Years of QbD Spain
On April 8th, we opened the doors of our brand-new Barcelona offices and celebrated 10 years of QbD Spain in style! Colleagues, partners, and friends came together for a special evening in our new home. A new office, a 10-year legacy, and an exciting chapter ahead. Here's to Barcelona
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Bowling at J&J Geel
Our QbD Group team at J&J Geel rolled up for a bowling night! Strikes, spares, and plenty of laughs. A perfect way to unwind with colleagues!
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Fat Thursday in Poland
On February 12th, the Polish team celebrated Fat Thursday in true tradition: with doughnuts! According to tradition, eating one brings good luck and prosperity for the year. We'll take it!
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At QbD Group, our journey doesn’t end when a chapter closes — it’s the foundation for new beginnings and lasting connections.
Stéphanie Vanhaver Alumni Relations Officer
🎉Life & Career milestones
Every journey is marked by meaningful moments. Let's take a moment to capture and honor the milestones of our QbDers, both in their careers and personal lives.
🎂QbD work anniversary
Recently, we celebrated the 5-year anniversary of Frans Spiertz in the Netherlands!
We surprised him at work with a box of delicious Limburgse Vlaaien, because what better way to celebrate a true Limburger?
🍼 Baby Chuckles & Great Expectations
We have a new arrival to celebrate! On February 5th, Julie Bondroit and Henrik De Backer welcomed their son Rover into the world.
Our colleague Hande Dagli from QbD Group Netherlands is on maternity leave and expecting her first baby soon.
Congratulations! Wishing you lots of love, joy, and unforgettable moments with your little ones!
🔗 Let’s stay connected
The end of a chapter isn’t the end of the book.
Whether you want to stay in the loop, explore new opportunities, or just reconnect, we’d love to keep in touch and new chapters to the story we’ve started together.
Let’s catch up — the story’s not over yet!
Finished your QbD chapter but curious about a sequel? Whether you’re considering a return to QbD Group, know someone who’d be a great fit, or simply want to share your thoughts on the Alumni Hub — Stéphanie is your go-to person.
We’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and maybe grab a coffee soon!