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Innovation is at the core of life sciences, more than in any other industry. Flanders has always proved to be a region that shows new ingenious ways of putting science to good use for the benefit of millions of people worldwide. In pharmaceuticals, in biotechnology and in all kinds of specialized supporting activities.
By way of illustration: Flanders only comprises 13,500 km2 and houses no less than 115 companies with biotech activities, employing over 10,000 employees and generating a total turnover of close on €2.9 billion. Together they are responsible for ca. 20% of the total private R&D expenditure in Flanders. The money is well invested: 33 of these companies own 941 patents, resulting in a powerful patent position of 29 patents, on average, per company. Since 2005, five Flemish biotech IPO's have raised, between them, €213 million. Life sciences is a booming business in Flanders.
10 reasons why Flanders is in pole position
1. Unrivaled expertise in plant biotechnology
2. A global market leader in pharmaceutical production and R&D
3. Industrial expertise and pioneering power in industrial biotechnology
4. All the innovative suppliers and support services close by
5. World-renowned research institutions VIB and IMEC
6. Strong human capital
7. Widely available funding for R&D in life sciences
8. Clear government focus on life sciences
9. Wide support for Flanders' life sciences cluster
10. Flanders Investment & Trade: support at the start and the expansion of your operations
Want to know more on Flanders' life sciences industry? Order our brochure The Life Sciences Industry in Flanders here or download it (PDF-file 1936kb)
1. Unrivaled expertise in plant biotechnology
Flanders is the birthplace of plant biotechnology as we know it today. In the 80s Flemish scientists, for the first time, mapped out a gene sequence and a genome sequence of a plant. The technology to alter plants genetically is a Flemish discovery that is being used on a global scale today. The expertise that has been built up is unrivaled anywhere in the world. This is why Flanders is considered a good breeding ground for a wide range of plant-biotech companies. The region's scientific lead enhances the possible return for both local SMEs and multinationals active in a wide range of plant-biotech fields.
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Did you know that…
… the Flemish Emeritus Professor Marc Van Montagu is founder of today's plant biotechnology? Together with his colleague Prof. Jeff Schell, he discovered the gene transfer mechanism between Agrobacterium and plants, leading to the development of methods to create transgenic plants.
… only ten years after its incorporation, Flemish biotech firm CropDesign has grown into a world-renowned, agro-biotech company? It was acquired by BASF in 2006 because of its unique knowledge base in the area of crop yield and its exclusive research platform, TraitMill™."
… the Ghent-based agro biotech firm Devgen is a global player in the development, production and commercialization of new hybrid seeds? Devgen today is selling new hybrid seeds to farmers all over India resulting in higher yields despite increasing challenges with respect to the availability of water, land and labor.
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2. A global market leader in pharmaceutical production and R&D
Flanders is a world-class player in human healthcare. The region is ahead of the game when it comes to the production of pharmaceuticals: over 5 per cent of the global output of pharmaceuticals is made in Flanders. Big names in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry have a range of facilities in the region. But Flanders offers much more than this. A wide range of promising biopharma companies, spun off from Flemish universities or from subsidiaries of international concerns, find Flanders an ideal environment in which to foster sustainable growth.
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Did you know that…
… the Leuven-based biotech company Tigenix develops groundbreaking cell therapy applications in the field of regenerative medicine? Tigenix is researching cell-based therapeutics that could delay or prevent the onset of arthritis and offer a long-term cure.
… Flemish biotech company ThromboGenics focuses on the development of therapeutics for conditions related to the vascular system? With Microplasmin, its lead product, ThromboGenics is hoping to develop a non-surgical treatment of a visual disorder called focal vitreomacular adhesion.
… the Flemish town of Puurs is home to Pfizer's largest European production and packaging facility? It is the second largest production site of Pfizer worldwide, employing a staff of over 1,400 people.
… in February 2009, Flemish biotech company Galapagos announced the discovery of a human drug target that plays a key role in Alzheimer's disease? This breakthrough was published in Science, one of the world's most prestigious scientific journals. The U.S. Patent Office has granted Galapagos a patent on this discovery.
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3. Industrial expertise and pioneering power in industrial biotechnology
In addition to being a unique life sciences cluster, Flanders is home to Europe's largest chemicals cluster and to a large number of international food concerns. Together with a modern transport infrastructure these form the ideal surroundings for companies active in industrial biotech. Several leading players focus on converting renewable raw materials, intermediary products and process tools with the aid of biological systems. In addition, Flanders also has some unique pioneering projects in its portfolio that are fast propelling industrial biotech activities in the region to a place in the European elite.
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Did you know that…
… Genencor, part of the Danish company Danisco, is the world's second largest industrial biotech organization? Its production facility in the city of Bruges is a benchmark production facility for industrial enzymes and one of the most versatile and flexible manufacturing operations in the overall organization.
… the first company to make bioethanol in Flanders is the French-owned leading sugar group Tereos? The European leader and the global number five when it comes to bioethanol production recently invested through its subsidiary Syral €20 million in a new unit in the city of Aalst dedicated to bioethanol production.
… Flanders and its neighbor, the Netherlands, have joined forces to build state-of-the-art research and training facilities for bio-based activities? Bio Base Europe is to become Europe's first open innovation and education center for the bio-based economy.
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4. All the innovative suppliers and support services close by
The flourishing life sciences industry in Flanders has resulted in a rich landscape of innovative suppliers and support services. These experienced players specialize in a wide range of services. From services for clinical testing over state-of-the-art product development and lab equipment suppliers to life sciences patent bureaus and specialized logistics players. Together they form an indispensable link in the sustainable success of the life sciences industry in the region.
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Did you know that…
… SGS' clinical trials services performs its Phase I research mainly at two Antwerp-based hospitals? Although Flanders has a relatively small population, the recruitment of high-quality trial subjects runs smoothly.
… in 2007 India's largest pharmaceutical firm Ranbaxy chose Antwerp to locate a European distribution center for pharmaceutical products? Today, between 100-150 tonnes of pharmaceutical products per month are being processed and distributed out of Antwerp to wholesalers and distribution points around Europe.
… Flemish firm Verhaert performs development for a wide range of local and international customers in life sciences? Examples of its customers are Philips Medical Systems, Baxter, Pfizer and Schering-Plough.
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5. World-renowned research institutions VIB and IMEC
A region does not obtain a leading position in the life sciences without trailblazing research institutes to foster innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for millions of people. With VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology), a unique biotech research platform in Europe, Flanders is sure to remain ahead of the pack for many years to come. And that goes for IMEC as well, Flanders' globally renowned research center on nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Top scientists, international collaboration programs with major international concerns and many successful spin-offs … VIB and IMEC are truly key drivers of the life sciences industry here in Flanders.
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Did you know that…
… VIB, so far, has concluded over 500 R&D and licensing agreements? In 2008, the tech-transfer activities at VIB generated a combined turnover of over €17 million.
… VIB's has established 10 novel organizations, including 5 successful venture capital-backed biotech companies? These spin-offs raised €340 million, including over €200 million from regional and international venture capital funds and employ over 400 people.
… IMEC is performing research into medical applications using nanotechnology? These the tiny devices and systems that can result of IMEC's research will dominate tomorrow's medical landscape.
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6. Strong human capital
Life sciences is an industry in which people play a crucial role. In researching new pharmaceuticals, in developing the latest industrial processes, but also in production, logistics and a wide range of other support services. Flanders is renowned the world over for the high quality of its human capital in life sciences industries. Our academic training programs are among the world's finest. In addition, our people are highly productive, multilingual and show a high level of sensitivity and tolerance when it comes to other cultures. These are crucial competencies for working in today's global economy.
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Did you know that…
… Flanders' educational system is world-renowned? In the OECD's 2008 PISA survey Flemish 15-year olds achieved impressive results for sciences, mathematics and reading skills.
… Flanders also has an eye for the business side of the life sciences industry? With the Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School, two of Flanders reputed universities (Ghent and Leuven) have joined forces to develop a business school with international standing.
… in early 2009, the reputed Flemish researcher Christine Van Broeckhoven was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor? She received the highest French honorary decoration for her pioneering work on the origins of brain disorders in humans, such as Alzheimer's disease.
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7. Widely available funding for R&D in life sciences
Finding the venture capital to conduct complex, high-risk research is pivotal for any life sciences start-up company. It often takes more than a decade before an actual product is developed and finds its way to the market. Flanders is home to a legion of newly-formed life sciences firms that benefit from the funding provided by both public and private venture capital firms. In addition, the Flemish government offers - through the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) - a unique subsidy program for firms seeking to innovate in life sciences in Flanders.
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Did you know that…
… Flemish capital fund Gimv has invested in life sciences since the 80s? The company is listed on Euronext Brussels and currently manages assets worth around €1.8 billion.
… out of the IWT funding budget of €285 million, €100 million went to life sciences research in 2008? The money was spread over 370 approved projects.
… in 2007, the amount of venture capital provided to Flemish biotech companies totaled around €100 million? The lion's share of this capital comes from the Flemish capital fund Gimv, the Biotech Fund Flanders and the European Investment Fund (EIF).
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8. Clear government focus on life sciences
The life sciences industry is a strategically important industry in Flanders. The federal government makes big efforts to create a competitive legal and fiscal climate for both local and foreign companies active in R&D in the region. A wide range of tax benefits and a unique legal framework for fast and flexible undertaking of (pre)clinical studies makes Flanders a technological top region in Europe for multinationals looking for a competitive edge in their life sciences activities.
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Did you know that…
… Belgian legislation on experiments on humans keeps the approval times for clinical trials extremely short? Today they stand at 15 days for Phase I and 28 days for Phase I-IV.
… a company in Flanders is able to deduct 80% of its income derived from patents from its taxable net profit? With measures like these, Flanders has propelled itself into the lead group of tax-friendly European regions.
… Flanders offers beneficial tax measures for research staff? Companies active in R&D in Flanders are eligible for an exemption from payroll withholding tax for researchers (PhD, engineers and master degrees) with a maximum of 75%.
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9. Wide support for Flanders' life sciences cluster
Precisely because Flanders has been playing a pioneering role in life sciences for decades on end, the industry in the region is well represented by organizations that uphold its interests. They guarantee sustained growth for the industry in a stimulating business environment. Both local and international players can count on a forceful voice at all government levels: locally, nationwide and across European borders.
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Did you know that…
… FlandersBio serves as an initial point of contact between the life sciences industry and the Flemish government? FlandersBio aims to create the most supportive conditions possible for biotech businesses in the Flemish Region.
… essenscia strives to create an efficient and healthy business climate, closely cooperating with the Flemish, federal and European authorities? Because of its long tradition and high number of members, the organization is influential at many levels.
… Pharma.be, the General Association of the Medical Industry, upholds the interests of the Belgian medical industry? Pharma.be represents 146 members 29,000 direct jobs and a €3.9 billion turnover.
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10. Flanders Investment & Trade: support at the start and expansion of your operations
Providing advice and support to foreign companies wanting to start or expand operations in Flanders is one of the core responsibilities of Flanders Investment & Trade. Thanks to our experienced, multilingual staff we are able to help companies integrate into one of Europe's most prosperous economies efficiently and effectively. Flanders Investment & Trade has 95 offices worldwide: we can assist you wherever you are. And, thanks to our extensive and active network within Flanders, we can also provide you with region-specific information.
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Did you know that…
… we can identify and suggest optimal locations for your business.
… we serve as a knowledge and contact organization.
… we can provide you with useful information on subsidies and support measures.
… we clarify legal requirements.
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