Project promises major boost for Belgian Walloon region

A Technological Innovation Partnership for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP’s), launched under the Walloon’s regional recovery plan and involving 26 partners in 12 work packages, has received funding from the Walloon Government of €81 million ($88.9M) over three years, with around 60% from public funds and 40% privately sourced.

Instigated by the Minister of the Economy and Vice-President of Wallonia, Willy Borsus, the project is led by the regions’s health cluster BioWin, along with the Research and Technology Development Department of the Public service of Wallonia for the Economy, Employment and Research. 

With emphasis on the suitability of planned developments for large-scale manufacture,  the ATMP-Partenariat d’Innovation Technologique (ATMP-PIT) proposal is intended to provide a major stimulus to Wallonia’s advanced therapy medicines sector, by establishing new partnerships between academia (including teaching hospitals), a research centre and businesses of every size. The work packages cover all the links in the ATMP value chain, addressing particular areas of scientific research with high development potential; various aspects of preclinical and clinical research; and advanced production process design and control. It is estimated that more than 470 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs will be created over the next five years.

“An ambitious project like this will help to embed talent and knowledge in our region,” said Willy Borsus, Minister of the Economy and Vice-President of the Walloon Government. “It will be a huge boost to the region’s attractiveness. The ATMP PIT provides a unique opportunity to grow and develop an important sector for the future of Wallonia.” 

“This partnership will help us to ensure Wallonia will retain its position as a leader in the sector, by strengthening the ecosystem and giving it the tools and resources to stay at the forefront of innovation,” said Sylvie Ponchaut, Managing Director of BioWin. 

Making up just 2.6% of the EU’s population, Belgium accounts for 7.8% of jobs, 18.7% of exports and 19.3% of investment in research and development in the EU’s biopharmaceuticals industry.  

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