Meet William Cenens

William has a strong technical background spanning molecular genetics, bacteriophages, antibodies, precision fermentation and downstream processing, plant breeding, and gene editing technologies including CRISPR. Before joining Gevers, he served as in-house IP professional at Biotalys, a biotech company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions including antibody-derived molecules, managing the full spectrum of IP activities and working closely with senior management to align IP strategy with business objectives.

He subsequently worked as in-house Patent Attorney at Inari Agriculture, focusing on plant breeding innovations, plant breeders’ rights, and EU NGT regulations. William’s expertise covers the broader life sciences, with hands-on experience in both agri-food and pharma-adjacent technologies. His industry background also extends to trademark portfolios, IP legal agreements, and compliance with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. Fluent in Dutch and English, with intermediate Portuguese, William is well-positioned to support international clients across a wide range of IP matters in the life sciences.

• Master’s degree in Bioscience engineering; Biomolecular engineering – KU Leuven
• Ph.D. degree in Bioscience Engineering (PhD) – KU Leuven

• Dr. Ir. in Bioscience Engineering
• European Patent Attorney

• Cenens, W. Andrade, MO., Llontop, EE., Alvarez-Martinez, CE., Sgro, GG., Farah, CS.(2019). Bactericidal Type IV Secretion System Homeostasis in Xanthomonas Citri. PLoS pathogens 16 (5), e1008561
  Bayer-Santos, E.*, Cenens, W.*, Matsuyama, B.Y.*, Oka, G.U. Di Sessa, G., Mininel, Alves, T.L., I.D.V, Farah, C.S. (2019). The opportunistic pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia utilizes a type IV secretion system for interbacterial killing. PLOS pathogens, 15(9), e1007651.
• Cenens, W., Makumi A., Govers, S.K., Lavigne, R., Aertsen, A. (2015). Viral transmission dynamics at single-cell resolution reveal transiently immune subpopulations caused by a carrier state association. PLoS genetics, 11 (12), e1005770
• Makumi, A.*, Cenens, W.*, Lavigne, R., Aertsen, A. (2014). P22 mediated recombination of frt-sites. Virology, 462-463, 340-342.
• Cenens, W.*, Mebrhatu, M.*, Makumi, A., Ceyssens, P., Lavigne, R., Van Houdt, R., Taddei, F., Aertsen, A. (2013). Expression of a novel P22 ORFan gene reveals the phage carrier state in Salmonella. PLoS Genetics, 9 (2), art.nr. e1003269.
• Cenens, W., Makumi, A., Mebrhatu, M., Lavigne, R., Aertsen, A. (2013). Phage–host interactions during pseudolysogeny: Lessons from the Pid/dgo interaction. Bacteriophage, 3 (1), art.nr. e25029.