Biotech is entering a new chapter. As announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Biotech Act is set to become a cornerstone of Europe’s strategy to boost innovation, biomanufacturing and sustainable growth. But how can we turn that ambition into concrete opportunities for innovation, investment, and impact? What does this mean for Belgium’s thriving biotech and biopharma ecosystem? And how can our sector seize the opportunities this bold initiative offers?
Join us at the bio.be/essenscia annual event, a unique gathering of biotech and biopharma leaders, policymakers, academics, diplomats and key stakeholders, to explore what this new EU initiative could mean for our sector and how Belgium can take a leading role.
European Commissioner Várhelyi and Belgian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Prévot will share their reflections, highlighting the strategic importance of biotechnology and the opportunities it presents for Europe and Belgium.
Programme
13.30: Registration & welcome coffee
14.30 : Plenary Session
Welcome Address
- Geoffrey Pot – Chair of bio.be/essenscia
Contribution from Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare
Insights via video from leading biotech executives:
- Dominique Demonté (Biopark Charleroi)
- Marc Deschamps (Bioxodes)
- Jérôme Van Biervliet (VIB)
- Cédric Ververken (Confo Therapeutics)
Panel Debate – Regulate to Innovate
How can regulatory frameworks enable innovation?
- Marc Martens – Partner and Co-head, Bird & Bird International Life Sciences & Healthcare Group
- Claire Skentelbery – CEO, EuropaBio
- Veronique Toully – Head of Sustainability, Risks & Corporate Affairs, UCB
Panel Debate – Funding for the Future
What funding mechanisms can fuel biotech innovation in Europe?
- Floor Stam – CEO, Remynd
- Benoît van den Hove – CEO, Euronext Brussels
- Koenraad Van Loo – CEO, SFPI-FPIM
Closing Remarks from Maxime Prévot – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation
16.15: Networking reception
17.30: End
This event is being organized with the support and in partnership with the Office of Economic Interests (B3) and the Directorate-General European Affairs of the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.