bio.be/essenscia is the Belgian federation representing companies active in the biotech and life sciences industry. It is the recognised voice of the biotech community and operates under the umbrella of essenscia, the sector federation of the chemical and life sciences industry.

Latest news

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Belgium is world champion in vaccine exports, even post-covid

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bio.be/essenscia: 'With the right policy choices, we will keep Belgian biotech at the global forefront'

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“In the next decade, Artificial Intelligence will be a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical and biotech sector”

DNA of bio.be/essenscia

Biotechnology and life sciences are key levers for the transformation towards a sustainable, modern and healthy society worldwide. Representing the different biotech sectors (health, agriculture & the biobased industry) at regional and federal level, bio.be/essenscia is the recognised voice of the biotech community to boost innovation and industrialisation in Belgium and beyond.

Contact

druck_frederic
Frédéric Druck
Secretary General FDruck@essenscia.be
Tineke 2

Tineke Van hooland

Deputy Secretary General

Chair National Associations Council (NAC) at EuropaBio

TVanhooland@essenscia.be

Sandrine-Georges

Sandrine Georges
Assistant

SGeorges@essenscia.be

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Belgium, a biotech valley like no other

Belgium occupies a unique position thanks to its excellent performance across the entire biotech value chain: from fundamental research and development, across (pre-)clinical trials all the way up to state-of-the-art production. In Belgium we have an eco-system which is further strengthened through a close cooperation between academic institutions, hospitals, spin-offs, start-ups, SMEs, large international corporations and a vast logistics network (e.g. airports, ports). Belgium is a biotech valley like no other with a worldwide renown.

Biotech beyond Belgium

Belgium is considered to be one of the world’s most prominent research nations. Our Belgian ecosystem is highly valued internationally, confirmed by the many foreign investments and transatlantic partnerships. Our entire value chain – from knowledge, to biomanufacturing processes and products – has a global impact and is very much cherished. As such, our voice is not limited to Belgium. bio.be/essenscia is also a member of EuropaBio, the European Association of Bioindustries, and ICBA, the International Council of Biotechnology Associations.

Sustainable solutions for a better world

Our diverse range of members all share the belief that science and technology are key for the transformation towards a sustainable, innovative and healthy society. They are passionate for the opportunities that help to address the world’s agricultural, environmental and health challenges. Through their innovative processes and products, our biotech companies are determined to make a large contribution to a better and more sustainable future.


Join bio.be/essenscia

By joining bio.be/essenscia our member companies become part of an effective advocacy and regulatory voice representing and promoting the collective interests of the Belgian life sciences and biotechnology industry at both Belgian (federal and regional) and European level. We have the tools to help our member’s business reach its full potential – from R&D to growth and excellence in biomanufacturing – through advocacy, communication and membership services, like dedicated working groups on the latest trends in biotechnology.

Board of directors

Our board of directors decides upon the strategy of bio.be and captures the priorities based upon proposals from our various working groups and team of experts. Our board members represent all subsectors and comprise both large international corporations and SMEs.

  • Geoffrey Pot, Takeda, President
  • Dirk Carrez, Cleverconsult
  • Frédéric Druck, bio.be/essenscia
  • Denis Dufrane, Novadip
  • David Fontaine, AbbVie
  • Eric Halioua, PDC Line Pharma
  • Jean-Michel Luyckx, Novartis
  • Marc Martens, Bird&Bird
  • Tijs Neutens, Amgen
  • Cristelle Noirhomme, GSK
  • Patrick Rüdelsheim, Perseus
  • Bart Schelfhout, Sanofi
  • Tineke Van hooland, bio.be/essenscia
  • Cedric Volanti, Thermo Fisher
  • Hendrik Waegeman, Bio Based Europe Pilot Plant

A word from the president

“It is both an honour and a great responsibility to ensure the development of a growth sector with more than 300 companies and over 35,000 quality jobs. We want to ensure that development is based on constructive consultation and a solution-oriented approach, in dialogue with government, institutions, education, and the relevant unions. Let’s create, connect and communicate, together!”
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Geoffrey Pot,
President bio.be/essenscia

Our members

An overview of the members of bio.be/essenscia can be found here.