The Walloon government has given the green light for the launch of the EU Biotech Campus. More than 30 million euros have been allocated to this flagship project, part of the Walloon recovery plan. The sector federations bio.be/essenscia and essenscia wallonie are delighted. This state-of-the-art training centre, featuring a business accelerator, will train more talent and support more biotech and biopharma start-ups and scale-ups in Wallonia.
Keeping biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, key sectors for prosperity and jobs in Wallonia, at the forefront on the international stage. This is the mission of the EU Biotech Campus, one of the initiatives of the Belgian and Walloon recovery plan, for which 30 million euros, VAT included, have been set aside. In a press release, the Walloon Government announced that this budget will “set the gears in motion to create the infrastructure in Charleroi, installing equipment, ensuring commercial development and the training program.”
“This initiative will support the growth of biotech and biopharma in our region, both in terms of innovation and production”
Didier Malherbe, Managing Director of the EU Biotech Campus asbl
Didier Malherbe, Managing Director of the EU Biotech Campus asbl: “I am proud of the launch of this large-scale project, which will be operational from 2022 with the new infrastructure opening in 2025. This initiative will support the growth of biotech and biopharma in our region, both in terms of innovation and production. The Campus will be an emblematic symbol of Wallonia’s leadership in this field, at the heart of a vast, successful ecosystem. The latest figures show that the sector plans to recruit 2,400 new employees over the next three years. An increase of 10,000 indirect and direct jobs are expected over the next ten years.”
“This will allow our region to continue to play a key role for patients all over the world: the talent of tomorrow will invent and produce the innovative treatments of the future!”
Frédéric Druck, President of the EU Biotech Campus asbl, Director of essenscia wallonie, Secretary General at bio.be/essenscia
Frédéric Druck, President of the EU Biotech Campus asbl, Director of essenscia wallonie, Secretary General at bio.be/essenscia : “I would like to thank the Walloon and Federal authorities for their support. The EU Biotech Campus will complement the existing training offer within the life sciences industry and will accelerate the digital transformation of companies. The project also includes the organisation of a mini MBA to train Belgian and foreign entrepreneurs who settle in Wallonia in all aspects of biotech management and the promotion of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) to encourage more young people to choose the sector. This will allow our region to continue to play a key role for patients all over the world: the talent of tomorrow will invent and produce the innovative treatments of the future!”
