Wallonia | Business opportunities | Life sciences

The biotechnology and health sectors in the Wallonia region

1. wallonia opts for biotechnology

At the forefront of the latest technologies

Although Europe is playing an increasingly important role in the biotechnology sector, the Wallonia region is certainly not lagging behind. On the contrary, Wallonia has built on its long tradition of scientific innovation to become a leading region in this specialised sector. High-tech sectors have taken over from heavy industry and all of the key biotechnology sectors are represented in the Wallonia region, both in terms of research and industry. Major international groups in the biotechnology sector are setting up subsidiaries in the region.

What attracted these companies? The leading role played by several university research centres in the area of scientific research, a strong partnership between the research centres and local companies, the existence of science parks where every effort is made to foster cooperation and close contact, a comprehensive and accessible motorway network, not to mention a well educated workforce with a strong multilingual background.
Biotechnology companies based in the Wallonia region that specialise in the biomedical, bio-agriculture, biogenetics or biomolecular sectors have been very successful in making their mark on the global stage (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, IBA, Eppendorf Array Technologies, Enzybel, Delphi Genetics, Coris BioConcept, Aseptic Technologies) .

A priority for the Wallonia region

Small to medium-sized businesses in the biotechnology sector in Wallonia are contributing more and more to the growth of the sector. In particular, advanced research in biogenetics and biomolecular science accounts for 77% of the biotechnology business in Wallonia. Bio-agriculture, which represents 10% of the turnover for the sector, is currently experiencing strong levels of growth. This growth has allowed the Wallonia region to contribute 70% of the turnover and 66% of the human resource requirements of the biotechnology sector in Belgium.

The Wallonia region intends to maintain this course! The Marshall plan, which was launched last September with the objective of promoting business activity, is particularly focused on the pharmaceutical and bio-technology sectors. This plan identified two main areas of focus: health (pharmaceutical sector, biotechnology etc.) and agri-business. In total, the Wallonia region intends to finance an additional 620 research positions. This consists of 500 openings mostly in universities, local companies and research centres, and 120 doctorates funded via the FRIA (fund associated with the national fund for scientific research (FNRS) with, on this occasion, an equivalent financial contribution from the French community).

BioVallée biotechnology hub

In an effort to promote economic and social development, the Wallonia region set up a biotechnology hub based in Gosselies. BioVallée is a joint Wallonia research centre exclusively dedicated to biotechnology. Bridging the gap between the worlds of science and business, this infrastructure is situated at the heart of the Charleroi biotechnology centre of the free university of Brussels, itself located at Gosselies airport. Work at this centre concentrates on converting the results of the very latest research in life sciences as applied to products and innovative services. The various topics of research are determined by market demand.
BioVallée also makes its high quality equipment and staff available to companies and research laboratories, thus allowing them to access the latest technologies without having to commit to prohibitive investments. Together with its Biopôle partners (Free University of Brussels, University of Mons-Hainaut, IGRETEC, Wallonia Biotech, etc.), and the support of the Wallonia region and the European Union, BioVallée is actively involved in the economic regeneration of the Wallonia region.

2. Health

The health sector today is no longer confined to the development of medicines or vaccines, and now includes food supplements, dietary products, medical IT solutions, as well as genomics and proteomics, both of which are considered very significant to the future of the human race. The Wallonia region is starting to hold its own in these sectors thanks to the existence of high performing companies in the area and the ever growing partnership between these companies and the research centres, most of which are university-based.

The health sector is expanding rapidly. This means that companies need to continuously adapt to changes and anticipate market demand. A very good example of this is the recent formation of the GIGA group (interfaculty group of applied genomics) at the university of Liège. This group brings together researchers and companies under the one roof with the idea of advancing research and science.
This approach appears to be bearing fruit as the Wallonia region will soon be involved in a global biotechnology cluster alongside San Diego, Boston, Lyon and Bavaria.

At pole position on a global scale

Of the businesses currently active in the health sector in the Wallonia region, those that stand out include the subsidiaries of major international groups, of American, English and French origin. These companies have played an important role in creating jobs in our region and have proven excellent ambassadors for future investment in the Wallonia region. 

Alongside these major groups, we have indigenous Wallonia businesses. Some of these businesses have even managed to achieve a leading position on a global level, thanks to their work in high-value technology sectors: oligonucleotide synthesis, the manufacture of ADM biochips, in vitro diagnostic devices, the development of reagents for use in medical laboratories, the supply of radio isotopes for the nuclear medicine industry, custom synthesis of products in the fine organic chemistry sector (for the pharmaceutical industry in particular), the development of radiotherapeutic implants etc. In short, a wide range of sectors in which our businesses are gaining in reputation every day thanks to their knowledge and expertise.
Working alongside these companies, we have the medical device sector: Cardiac surgery devices, diagnostic kits for auto-immune diseases or for enteric and human respiratory pathologies, custom-manufactured devices for specific medical and surgical procedures, manufacture of surgical instruments, electrosurgical devices and surgical robots, provision of necessary technology and support for the development of medicines, manufacture of medical devices to facilitate the advancement of research etc.

There is a wide range of services on offer and this list is not exhaustive. With companies involved in the development of telemedicine devices, the generation of computerized medical records (for example, a detailed report on a patient's operation) and even electronic data input, the Wallonia region is well represented when it comes to the development of IT solutions for the medical and health sector.

All set for the international market

As for the "well-being" aspect of the health sector, the cosmetic and food sector is another area in which small to medium sized businesses based in Wallonia have sought out market niches: Development of micro-organisms (yeasts, moulds, bacteria) or subproducts such as enzymes used in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors (to aid digestion, for example, or to accelerate healing), dietary products, food supplements, pharmaceutical grade nutrients, natural products for use in cosmetics and even essential oils aimed at the health sector as well as the diet and cosmetics industry .
The guiding principles of the companies based in our Wallonia region are to promote research, further develop expertise and improve the overall health of the population. Dynamic and with a clear eye on the future, these companies supply products, processes and services that are ready for export to global markets.

BIOWIN, health as an area of competitiveness within the Wallonia region:

One of the key cornerstones of the "Marshall plan" launched by the Wallonia government is the establishment of areas of competitiveness. The plan identified the health sector as being critical to the economic regeneration of the region.
The objective of this area of competitiveness to efficiently link together the necessary skills required to promote the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic devices in the Wallonia region.

This is a particularly complex area that requires a high level of integration between a multitude of disciplines and technologies, from the fundamental discovery stage to the launching of new products.
Three areas were selected for prioritisation: cancer, inflammation and brain disease.
A series of generic requirements were identified for these three areas. These include the he development of new biomarkers, new predictive models for determining efficiency and toxicity (in silico, in vitro et in vivo), new drug delivery systems and the identification of new molecules with potential therapeutic capabilities (drug candidates).

The universities have an essential role to play in this area.

Link :

Biowin - health Cluster of Wallonia