Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, the strong Belgian biotech and biopharmaceutical sector has played a key role in the global fight against this pandemic. Let’s count on this mature industry to help the country's economic recovery. Companies in the sector have already invested 5.5 billion in production facilities over the past 10 years. Let's provide the right conditions for them to further develop their biomanufacturing capabilities, becoming sustainable and digitalized industries of the future, able to find the scientific and technical talent needed for their development. These were the key messages at the annual event of the Belgian life sciences and biotechnology federation bio.be/essenscia, where one of the speakers was Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Recovery and Strategic Investments, responsible for Science Policy.

The BIO International Convention is the world's largest biotechnology event. This year, it takes place online from June 10 to 18, with the theme 'Rise Together'. Around 50 people are representing Belgium at this international forum. In collaboration with BioWin and FlandersBio and with the support of the regional agencies Awex (Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency) and FIT (Flanders Investment & Trade), bio.be/essenscia will showcase Belgium's assets. The presentation, entitled "<a href="https://www.bio.org/events/bio-digital/sessions/805764" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belgium, a gamechanger in Biotech & Life Sciences</a>", is available throughout the forum. The event also welcomes several companies that are the pride of the Belgian sector, such as Bone Therapeutics, GSK, Mithra, PDC*line Pharma and Univercells and its subsidiary, Exothera.