Chloroquine, an antimalarial medicine that has been on the international market since 1934, proves to be active against the novel SARS coronavirus type 2 (COVID-19). The antiviral activity of chloroquine was already discovered in 2004 by a team of virologists at KU Leuven.

The lab of professor Xavier Saelens (VIB-Ghent University) is quickly mobilizing to try to find a treatment for the viral infection caused by the corona virus. Since the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak was reported by China in December 2019, the number of confirmed cases of the virus is increasing rapidly, with cases now reported in 28 countries.

An interdisciplinary team of bio-engineers and economists from KU Leuven has mapped out how wood could replace petroleum in the chemical industry.

Ghent's focus is on Van Eyck and the Ghent Altarpiece in 2020. Lots of people from Ghent University are also involved in this year of celebration.