Advanced therapy: Wallonia invests €81 million in ATMP

Wallonia is setting up an unprecedented technological innovation partnership in the field of ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). The Walloon region, which has more than 20 years' experience in these new-generation biomedicines, intends to establish itself as a European leader in this field. With a budget of 81 million euros over 3 years and 26 partners led by BioWin, the health cluster, this partnership aims to create new collaborations between academic players, the world of research and companies, and thus optimise the entire ATMP value chain.

These new-generation biomedicines, which aim to meet unmet medical needs, represent one of the most innovative and promising revolutions in modern medicine. The Technological Innovation Partnership set up in Wallonia in the field of ATMP covers a variety of aspects of these new approaches, including cell and gene therapies, exosomes and phages. The emphasis is on the industrial vocation of the developments envisaged. 
 

The project's 12 workpackages cover all the links in the ATMP value chain, tackling certain aspects of scientific research with high potential for added value, various aspects of preclinical and clinical research, as well as innovative approaches to the design and control of production processes.

In terms of jobs, this will be accompanied by a substantial increase in the critical mass of researchers and technicians working in this sector. Estimates suggest that more than 470 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs will be created over the next five years.

"With this partnership, we are going to enable Wallonia's players in the sector to maintain their leadership by strengthening the ecosystem and giving it the tools and resources to remain at the cutting edge of innovation," enthused Sylvie Ponchaut, BioWin's Managing Director.

Sylvie Ponchaut, Managing Director of BioWin 

While Belgium accounts for just 2.6% of the EU's population, the biopharmaceutical industry accounts for 7.8% of jobs, 18.7% of exports and 19.3% of R&D investment in the EU. This puts it in third, second and first place respectively in Europe.(Source pharma.be)

The specific market for occupational diseases and injuries is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 36% between 2019 and 2025, reaching around €10 billion in 2025 and €80 billion in 2032 (Source Deloitte).