Hans studied chemical engineering at the University of Ghent.  After military service, he joined Agfa-Gevaert to conduct basic research and develop new imaging products and technologies for about 14 years.  He then moved to the IP department, where he qualified as European Patent Attorney (EQE 2009). In 2011, he obtained the litigation certificate for the Unified Patent Court. At the University of Strasbourg, he obtained a Master of IP Law and Management (LL.M) in 2014.