Written by: Darko Vlahović
Photos: Sara Sambon
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From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by the potential of science to improve human health and wellbeing. My deep dive into medical research was fuelled by a burning curiosity to discover how innovative technologies can tackle real-world health issues—says Bart de Wever, a Belgian scientist and manager who has been steering the ship as Chief Scientific Officer of the Zepter Group for the last two years.
With more than 25 years of hands-on experience in medical research and spearheading groundbreaking projects in the medical industry, De Wever has quite the track record: around a hundred peer-reviewed scientific articles to his name and over 500 presentations delivered at international scientific conferences.
He has made significant strides in artificial human skin research and recently co-authored a book on hyperlight therapy. As a business consultant, he can proudly point to his successful role in preparing the IPOs for two biomedical companies: SkinEthic and Bonyf NV.
Born in Belgium in 1962, De Wever began laying the groundwork for his scientific career early on. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Brussels, followed by a master’s in biochemistry from the Hogeschool West-Brabant in Eten-Leur, Netherlands—where he first dove into the world of medical research.
– Early in my career, I had the privilege of being involved in fundamental dermatological research at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research in Belgium. This experience serendipitously steered me toward the fascinating realm of in vitro human skin reconstruction—a field that became my passion for the next 25 years—says De Wever.
In 2006, he received his PhD from Maastricht University, presenting a dissertation titled “Reconstructed Models of Human Epidermal, Corneal, and Oral Epithelial Tissue as an Alternative to Animal Testing Methods.” His groundbreaking work played a pivotal role in gaining regulatory acceptance from OECD countries for industrially produced human skin models, effectively paving the way for these innovative alternatives to replace animal testing in cosmetic safety worldwide.
Despite his impressive achievements, De Wever continued to be open to new challenges, this time turning his attention to the cutting-edge realm of hyperlight therapy.
– I must confess, it wasn’t until two years ago, when Mr Zepter invited me to join his team, that I truly grasped the potential of light-based therapies. They opened my eyes to the power of non-invasive treatments and their transformative effect on medical practice. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to exploring the therapeutic possibilities of Zepter’s Hyperlight products and have initiated numerous international collaborations to further validate our scientific understanding and their applications.
De Wever, fluent in English, French, and German alongside his native Flemish and Dutch, has navigated a career across several esteemed medical companies. After several years at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals, he joined Advance Tissue Sciences, a company based in La Jolla, California, in 1993. By 1997, his journey led him to Nice, France, where he took on the role of business development manager at SkinEthic, now recognized as Episkin.
Since 2008, he has been at the helm of ALTEXA, a consulting firm based in Monaco, where he still resides. Alongside this role, he serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of the Belgian company Bonyf NV. Joining the Zepter Group seems like a natural progression in his stellar scientific and business career. It makes one wonder: does De Wever see himself more as a scientist or a businessman?
– I see myself primarily as a scientist. My passion has always been research and discovery. But over the years, I’ve realized that scientific breakthroughs need a practical path to reach the market and bring real benefits to people and businesses alike—says De Wever.
His role as a chief scientific officer requires him to masterfully balance scientific research and savvy business strategies.
– Making sure innovation is both scientifically sound and commercially viable is key. While science is my primary focus, I’ve come to appreciate the business side of revamping medical technology. In the end, I think the two roles complement each other perfectly because they let me turn ideas into solutions that improve human health—he says.
I ask him about the qualities he believes are essential for achieving success in a scientific career.
– Curiosity is the secret ingredient to a successful scientific career. Without an eagerness to ask questions and explore the unknown, progress is impossible—he answers.
He also emphasises the need for persistence (considering that scientific research is often a lengthy process of trial and error) and integrity. The scientific community relies on trust, honesty, and commitment to ethical research practices.
– These qualities ensure that fresh knowledge is reliable and beneficial to society—explains De Wever.
Medicine and science undoubtedly benefit society, but progress rarely occurs by chance. So I ask him about the biggest challenges he faced during his medical research.
– One of the toughest challenges in medical research is turning lab discoveries into real-world treatments. Scientific progress requires patience and persistence—after a breakthrough, years of testing and regulatory approvals often follow. Plus, when it comes to pioneering top-notch medical technologies like quantum hyperlight therapy, there’s a significant need to educate both medical professionals and the public on its potential benefits—he answers.
As Chief Scientific Officer at Zepter, De Wever played a hands-on role in the research and development of quantum hyperlight technologies. He collaborated closely with a team of renowned scientists and doctors from Bioptron, a Swiss company that has been part of the Zepter Group since 1989.
– I oversee research at Bioptron AG in Switzerland, Zepter’s labs in Serbia, and manage our international collaborations—especially with Jack Tuszynski, a highly respected quantum biology researcher at the Universities of Alberta and Turin. Our main goal is to understand how Bioptron hyperlight therapy works and to show its benefits across medical areas like wound healing, pain relief, and mental health. We’re also actively researching new uses for this therapy, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as in treating certain types of skin cancer—he says.
In cooperation with professional writer Myriam Willemse, De Wever recently authored and published a book titled Hyperlight Therapy: A Breakthrough for Healing and Enhancing Your Wellbeing. The book offers a clear and accessible overview of the science, applications, and benefits of Bioptron hyperlight therapy, as well as hyperlight optics and cosmetic products in health care and wellness.
New Age guru Deepak Chopra praised the book, recommending it to “anybody who is interested in how light interacts with the human body…and its amazing therapeutic potential.”
– Deepak Chopra, a globally influential figure and New York Times bestselling author, is known for his profound insights on spirituality and wellness. He has a following of 15 million worldwide and has been named one of Time’s 100 most influential people—De Wever notes.
Currently, the book is available only in France, but translations are underway in 16 languages. By early 2025, it is expected to reach 60 countries worldwide, including Croatia.
Hyperlight therapy, a non-invasive treatment that offers a wide range of benefits for the body, sounds almost too good to be true. But what exactly is hyperlight, and how does it differ from ordinary light?
De Wever explains that hyperlight is a form of “quantum light with a specific structure and unique therapeutic properties.” Developed by a team of Bioptron experts, hyperlight is based on fullerene C60—a carbon molecule with a distinctive spherical structure made up of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a “buckyball” shape.
– This unique structure vibrates at an astounding rate of 18 billion times per second. The discovery of C60, recognized as a “Fibonacci” icosahedral structure, earned scientists Harold W. Kroto, Robert F. Curl, and Richard E. Smalley the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996. Building on this breakthrough, a team of bioengineers and scientists at Bioptron developed and patented the C60-based BIOPTRON Optics®—a nanophotonic quantum hyperlight generator.
Quantum hyperlight refers to hyperpolarized light with both circular and linear polarization. This perfectly structured light follows the Fibonacci sequence, aligning its organization to mirror healthy human biostructures. As a result, it has a significantly enhanced therapeutic effect—explains De Wever.
He describes that Bioptron has developed two primary forms of hyperlight therapy. The first method involves applying hyperlight directly to the skin, where it penetrates the underlying tissues to stimulate key cellular processes essential for tissue repair. This includes boosting ATP and nitric oxide production, reducing inflammation, enhancing microcirculation, improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, and supporting the regulation of neurological processes.
– These combined effects promote wound healing, provide pain relief, help manage skin disorders, and offer mental health benefits—he notes.
The other form of therapy involves using hyperlight optics, where hyperlight is delivered to the optic nerve through specially designed glasses. This light affects the brain and nervous system, reflecting on internal neurological processes like mood, focus, and sleep cycles.
– Though research is still underway, early findings show impressive benefits, such as reduced anxiety, a boost in mood, sharper mental clarity, and improved focus—DeWever states.
Light therapy has been a popular treatment method for quite some time, but I’m curious about how hyperlight therapy differs from “conventional” light therapy.
– While most devices rely on a single spectrum of light—like red for pain relief or blue for acne treatment—the Bioptron employs polychromatic light, spanning the entire visible spectrum. This enables it to penetrate the skin at various depths, making it exceptionally versatile for treating a wide range of conditions—explains De Wever.
He adds that this structured light interacts with disrupted biological systems, transferring optimal energy and organization to the affected cells, which helps them start functioning normally again.
– Biotron Hyperlight Therapy promotes tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and speeds up healing. Unlike other devices, the Bioptron is clinically tested and certified as a Class IIA medical device in Europe and also holds FDA 510(k) certification in the US. It has been shown to be safe and effective—he says.
De Wever mentions that a new commercial application for fullerene C60-based hyperlight has been developed.
– Hyperlight Cosmetics products (3HFWC and La Danza) harness C60 as their primary active ingredient. When these products are applied, they transform light penetrating the skin into quantum hyperlight, delivering profound anti-aging benefits. These effects include boosting elastin and collagen production, significantly enhancing skin hydration, and resulting in a brighter, more youthful appearance.
Despite numerous companies exploring various light therapies, Zepter stands out as the global frontrunner. Currently, over 3.5 million Bioptron Hyperlight devices are in use around the world, with projections that this number will double within the next three years. I ask de Wever about the future of hyperlight therapy. Where does he see this innovative field heading next?
– We’ve already mapped out a comprehensive plan for collaborative studies with renowned institutions worldwide. Our goal is to delve deeper into the mechanisms behind Bioptron devices, right down to stem cells and proteins. These studies will also explore new applications in areas like neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and mental health.
My conversation partner has also been involved in the development of artificial human organs. I’m curious about the current state of bioengineering technology. Is it possible that one day we might be able to create artificial skin that is indistinguishable from human skin and won’t be rejected by the body?
– Bioengineering has come a long way in recent years, but the real challenge is creating organs and tissues that not only mimic the form but also function like their natural counterparts. In terms of artificial skin, we’ve made significant progress in developing transplants that closely resemble natural skin and even aid wound healing. However, achieving full integration in the body remains complex due to immune responses. Advances in biocompatibility and stem cell technology are steadily bringing us closer to producing personalized artificial tissues and organs that the human body won’t reject—he emphatically states.
Thus, we might one day soon hope to replace each organ with its artificial counterpart. Naturally, my curiosity led me to ask Mr De Wever about his future plans. What’s next on his horizon?
– Looking ahead, my main focus is on further enhancing the applications of hyperlight therapy. I also aim to broaden my efforts in educating both the medical community and the general public about its benefits. But what truly brings me joy is seeing the positive impact of my work on people’s lives. Knowing that the innovations I’ve been a part of are helping people better their health and quality of life brings me tremendous fulfilment—concludes Bart De Wever.
Translation by: Tea Alfirov Kožul
