LIFE SCIENCES
LIMBURG OFFERS EXCELLENT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Limburg on the crossroads of growth, space and innovation
LIMBURG
Provincial Delegate for Economic Affairs Marc Vandeput
A BIOMEDICAL HOTSPOT
Space to do business, competitive property prices, an excellent geographical location with a market potential of 50 million people within a radius of 250 km, an ever increasing technology portfolio for the corporate sector, an innovation and knowledge-driven economy supported by a close network of successful knowledge and research institutes, a highly educated work force and an attractive living environment offer excellent development opportunities for creative and innovative enterprises in Limburg. These are all key strengths that give innovationdriven entrepreneurs in Limburg an international advantage. A large number of investors have already discovered these key strengths and made new corporate investments in Limburg. “Especially in the new forward-thinking sectors where there is huge potential for growth, such as logistics and the life sciences, Limburg offers better investment opportunities than ever before. The development of the life sciences, which include medical technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, has been given a particularly large boost,” states Marc Vandeput, Provincial Delegate for Economic Affairs.
environmental sciences, biostatistics and bioinformatics. Biomedical knowledge and capacity for innovation within the life sciences sector are also exponentially increased through strategic alliances with neighbouring research institutes in Leuven, Eindhoven, Maastricht and North Rhine-Westphalia. According to Delegate Marc Vandeput: “Renowned high-tech knowledge centres such as Janssen Pharmaceutica, IMEC, Philips, DSM Chemicals, the Fraunhofer Institute and the Jülich Research Centre are situated close by. What’s more, collaborations with Bio-Liège (B), Life Sciences Limburg (NL) and LifeTecAachen-Jülich (D) have given Limburg’s research portfolio a European standing.” The Limburg research centres are also in constant interaction with the academic study programmes and with the Limburg regional hospitals, in particular the Virga Jesse Hospital and East Limburg Hospital.
Space to do business Delegate Marc Vandeput explains: “The availability of suitable business accommodation is essential to attracting new corporate investment. Limburg offers a wide range of space in which to do business, in particular thematic business parks for logistical and water-related activities, well-equipped SME zones, specialist incubator buildings, business centres and temporary buildings. These sites are of the highest possible quality in terms of equipment, accessibility, sus-
“Limburg is the perfect investment site for new investors in the life sciences and other economic sectors.” This development is largely thanks to sustained investment in fundamental scientific and clinical research. The specialist knowledge and research potential of Hasselt University and the university colleges in Limburg form the beating heart of knowledge building in the life sciences. Limburg is creating a distinct profile for itself as an innovative hotspot for cellular and molecular biotechnology, the testing of materials,
tainable development, group facilities... What’s more, the sites are offered at competitive rates when compared with the surrounding regions and abroad.” A number of sites have been designed for a specific purpose and are predestined for high-tech and knowledge oriented businesses. These Limburg science parks are a perfect base for spin-
offs of knowledge institutes and for start-ups that need to work closely with R&D institutes. For instance, there is a brand new incubator on the Hasselt University campus for new companies within the life sciences sector. This incubator offers office space, laboratories, small-scale production facilities and supporting services.
Availability of risk capital Promising companies that wish to set up business in Limburg can apply for funding from the Limburg investment company LRM. Within the life sciences sector, LRM focuses on companies in the early stages of development. In addition to its financial participation, LRM also provides enterprises with strategic guidance and introduces them to an extensive network of sector specialists and co-investors.
Human capital “Limburg is a province with a highly motivated work force. Research has shown that employees in Limburg score highly when it comes to full-time work, productivity, low sickness absence and high work motivation. Limburg employees are also known for their loyalty, resulting in a lower staff turnover. Limburg is a province with a young population and therefore has a large reserve labour force,” states Delegate Marc Vandeput.
An excellent living environment Limburg has succeeded in linking its economic development to a high-quality living environment. The province offers an extensive range of cultural and sport facilities. Limburg is characterised by its wide selection of housing, both in the cities and in rural areas. Various studies have shown that people enjoy living in Limburg and are also keen to stay there. An important factor is that you can still live and work in Limburg without being constantly stuck in traffic jams. The province also features a wide range of care institutions. The provincial capital of Hasselt with its pleasant shopping streets is the third largest commercial centre in Flanders. “In short, Limburg is the perfect investment site for new investors in the life sciences and other economic sectors. Limburg is on the crossroads of growth, space and innovation and is a perfect brand for companies with ambition,” concludes Delegate Marc Vandeput.
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Professor Piet Stinissen, the driving force behind the life sciences action plan, explains: “Limburg now has around thirty companies that are active in the life sciences sector. These are chiefly small businesses, which is why they are not yet particularly well-known, however they show great promise of success at an international level. Limburg has also been the home of valuable research for many years now, which is being carried out by Hasselt University and the three university colleges in Limburg (PHL, XIOS and KHLIM) as well as the hospitals and companies. How can Limburg make a difference? Not only are we carrying out research, but we also offer excellent support, state-of-the-art infrastructure and competitive funding options. We have combined these strengths and key advantages to create our life sciences action plan, with the aim of ensuring that Limburg becomes the place to be for life sciences and biotechnology.”
EXCELLENT AND RENOWNED RESEARCH Limburg’s knowledge institutes linked to Hasselt University and the 3 university colleges provide the region with an excellent basis to support life science applications and innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, in order to set up new small enterprises in the form of spinoffs. Over the past 20 years, for example, BIOMED has gained an outstanding reputation in the field of neuroscience and autoimmunity research and, together with the Institute of Material Research (IMO), the development of biosensors. BIOMED is involved in areas such as the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics in the field of autoimmunity and has strong partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE State-of-the-art infrastructure is an absolute must to support companies in their growth process. Debora Dumont: “The life sciences incubator, BioVille, with its unique features is well equipped for
Our region is already home to many promising life sciences companies this task. BioVille is the result of a joint venture between LRM, UHasselt and the Limburg development Agency POM Limburg. Its unique concept guarantees an infrastructural pipeline that supports companies in their start-up phase, while equally allowing them to grow towards small production facilities or clean rooms in a more mature stage. Furthermore, the lay-out flexibility of the late-stage wing of BioVille ensures that it is highly flexible with respect to required technical installations and business unit design.”
Piet Stinissen and Debora Dumont.
Bioville is embedded in a flourishing life sciences community of research groups and companies on the surrounding science park. Piet Stinissen: “This favourable location will promote and stimulate the exchange of scientific knowledge and experiences between companies, knowledge and healthcare institutes.”
FINANCING OPTIONS Dr. Debora Dumont: “Access to capital is crucial for the development and promotion of the life ▸
TWO MAJOR HOPSPITALS PERFORM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH:
Rich in opportunities for life sciences
Limburg is placing a strong focus on life sciences. The initiative for the development of an action plan for the expansion of the life sciences sector in Limburg has been instigated by Hasselt University’s Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, where fundamental and applied scientific research and teaching in the life sciences feature high on the agenda.
The two major regional Hospitals, the East-Limburg Hospital (ZOL) and the Jessa Hospital, have over 2000 beds and perform state-of-the-art research, often in collaboration with UHasselt, in the fields of oncology, cardiology, anaesthesia, obesity, in vitro fertilization/gynaecology, biobanking, stem cell research/regenerative medicine and biomarkers. “We are not university hospitals, which means that scientific research is not part of our mission”, explains Paul Bulens of the Virga Jesse Hospital. “Nevertheless, in view of our scale we feel that we should indeed be operating at the same level as a university hospital and that there must also be scope for scientific research. We have been taking part in clinical studies for many years in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and with Hasselt University.” Johan Hellings of the East-Limburg Hospital also makes no secret of the fact that the major Limburg hospitals harbour scientific ambitions. “Joining forces for instance in the field of radiotherapy and oncology, instead of competing with one another, makes us stronger. If your department is big enough, the staff members can each specialise in specific subareas. And importantly: they can take part in very specific research projects, such as cancer research into a specific pathology or type of tumour. “
We have combined these strengths and key advantages so that Limburg becomes the place to be for life sciences and biotechnology. sciences value chain. With a strong mix of private funding initiatives through LRM, plus national and European incentives, our region can provide the financial resources to help fuel innovative life sciences projects.” LRM pursues a broad spectrum of investment opportunities ranging from start-ups looking for first round financing companies through to laterstage growth companies. It is primarily focused on medical life sciences and biotechnology, ranging across (cellular) therapeutics, diagnostics and enabling technologies.
NETWORKING AND PROMOTION
The Life Sciences Incubator.
Debora Dumont: “It is essential that we make choices when defining our territory. We focus primarily on medical and biomedical applications, because we believe that these are our strongest areas in terms of knowledge and because
The importance of the life sciences sector is directly reflected by the efforts made by Limburg’s university colleges. There is not only growing demand for paramedics (the Limburg paramedic programmes are currently literally bursting at the seams), but also a major need for highly educated research staff and laboratory technicians in the field of molecular biotechnology. The unique biotechnology study programme offered by PHL University College responds to this de-
mand. The PHL offers three life sciences specialisms: cell and gene technology, food technology and environmental technology. These study programmes focus on laboratory skills, process control and production control. The PHL Healthcare Department also considers research skills to be of paramount importance: research is being organised in areas such as geriatric care, new rehabilitation strategies, wound care and post-oncological employment reintegration.
these applications have huge economic potential.” The combined result of the efforts of all these different partners is an inspiring environment offering the life sciences sector in Limburg every chance and opportunity to innovate.
The goals of LifeTechLimburg
Piet Stinissen: “The driving force behind the action plan is the LifeTechLimburg platform, made up of Hasselt University, the three university colleges (PHL, XIOS, KHLIM), the major Limburg hospitals, the Provincial Development Corporation (POM) Limburg, the Flemish Enterprise Agency, Limburg Innovation Centre and LRM. LifeTechLimburg is a ‘helping hand’, offering guidance towards the best assets (research, infrastructure, financing) complemented with strengthening the international visibility of the Limburg life sciences.”
THE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
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LifeTechLimburg aims to offer a helping hand in life sciences developments in the region. It does this by deploying its network and helping companies gain access to capital, research expertise and infrastructure. LifetechLimburg is also working to improve the preconditions for the sector through projects in the field of human resources, the popularisation of the sciences and by encouraging innovation. www.lifetechlimburg.be
Yves Gonnissen, SEPS Pharma
TWO SUCCESS STORIES Limburg’s commitment to the life sciences sector is leading to many successes. The companies SEPS Pharma and Antitope are just two of the numerous examples.
SEPS PHARMA: ADMINISTRATION OF INNOVATIVE DRUGS In only two years, SEPS Pharma has worked its way up to become one of the main players in the life sciences sector in Limburg. The company applies chemical modifications of existing drugs, focusing on two different concepts. In the first instance, oral administration forms are being developed for drugs that can currently only be administered intravenously by increasing the
oral bioavailability of the drug. But what does this actually mean? CEO Yves Gonnissen explains: “Certain drugs can only be administered through an injection. This means that the patient always needs the assistance of a doctor or nurse, in a hospital environment or otherwise. By changing the properties of these types of drugs, it is possible to make them available in the form of tablets or capsules. This leads to massive savings in social security costs and increases patient satisfaction.” Secondly, drugs that are orally available through one or more daily administration(s) are converted into long-acting formulations that only need to be administered once every month. This drastically reduces the number of administrations, resulting in a significant increase in patient satisfaction
and convenience, as well as improved treatment. What’s more, our technology also leads to fewer side effects. It is strange that the drugs manufacturers are not looking into these possibilities themselves. Or is it? According to Yves Gonnissen: “The major pharmaceutical companies mainly focus on research into new drugs. Innovation at the level of forms of administration is largely left to smaller, innovative companies. If these innovative companies go on to develop an interesting new product or technology, the large pharmaceutical companies can lay the necessary cash on the table to purchase the product or technology, or to reach a deal on licences. Small companies do not usually have the financial means to guide a drug through the entire chain of human studies. Both parties can therefore profit ▸
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from a collaboration. What does the future hold for SEPS Pharma? The company has a number of options: we will either sell our products and/ or technology, or we will become part of a large firm, or we will try to secure additional capital on the private or public market. But we haven’t got that far yet.” Since it was founded in 2007, SEPS Pharma has grown into a team of more than 10 enthusiastic staff members. The sales figures are also showing a significant increase. “By 2013 we want to expand to become a company with a team of 30. The efforts by LRM, Hasselt University and the province to create a life sciences cluster here have certainly contributed towards this.”
APITOPE: PIONEERING TREATMENTS Apitope International NV is developing pioneering peptide therapies for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and allergies. The young company, originally from Bristol in the UK, was so confident in Hasselt University and LRM that it relocated its headquarters to Diepenbeek. A company from Limburg that is forcing a breakthrough in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases: no wishful thinking but a realistic prospect. The company’s name is Apitope International NV. “We are developing drugs that can treat autoimmune diseases,” explains Dr. Keith Martin, CEO. “Instead of simply treating the symptoms, we are trying to tackle the cause of the disease. This means that once we know the causative antigen of one of these debilitating diseases, we can design peptides to selectively induce tolerance to the cause of the condition in the immune system. Our clinical trial involving our peptides for the treatment of multiple sclerosis provided very promising data in terms of safety as well as potential efficacy. We will be extending these studies to a much larger patient group in the near future. We have entered into a licensing agreement for our MS programme with the pharmaceutical giant Merck Serono, to continue development and then market the product. This process will take a few more years, however. That comes with the territory when you are developing and commercialising drugs. We are now establishing discovery programmes based
Keith Martin, Apitope
on our platform technology in a number of new therapeutic areas. These are exciting times for Apitope.” This young biopharmaceutical company, which was founded in Bristol in England, secured ten million euros in financing from LRM, Vesalius Biocapital, VINNOF and Hasselt University at the end of 2008 as well as attracting funding for its MS trial from Fast Forward, the venture arm of the American MS Society. As part of the financing round, Apitope created a new holding company, Apitope International NV, headquartered in Die-
penbeek near Hasselt. Keith Martin explains: “Our move to Limburg went very smoothly, because we received a great deal of support from LRM and Vesalius. Our new facilities and team in Limburg compliment our activities in Bristol very well. Limburg is committed to becoming an important cluster in the life sciences sector, and we are keen to be part of this. Investment in the life sciences is an investment in the future. It creates employment and attracts investors from outside as well as developing significant products to relieve serious human diseases”... Limburg’s trump card? Its human capital.
“Limburg’s trump card? Its human capital!”
Colofon The Permanent Deputation of the Provincial Council: Herman Reynders, governor-chairman; Marc Vandeput, Sylvian Sleypen, Gilbert Van Baelen, Frank Smeets, Walter Creemers, Erika Thijs, delegates; Renata Camps, provincial registrar | Concept & Coordination Bruno Bamps, Ben Herremans, Davy Maesen, Caroline Steensels | Realisation Roularta Custom Media | Editor in chief Ben Herremans | Text Bruno Bamps, Bart Vandormael | Final editing Valerie Degeeter | Lay-out Korneel Lauwereins | Pictures UHaselt, Marc Withofs, Robin Reynders, Belga, Thomas De Boever, SXC | Printing Roularta Printing | Circulation 15.000 | Legal number of deposit D/2010/5857/13 | Responsible editor R. Camps, Universiteitslaan 1, 3500 Hasselt | Province Limburg Universiteitslaan 1, 3500 Hasselt | www.limburg.be