Researchers into the market opportunities in Belgium believe that Belgian biotechnology companies and university centres specialising in research are among the leaders in their sector
Independent CRO Chiltern International believes that the Belgian biotechnology and pharmaceutical markets present real opportunities for collaboration.
Researchers into the market opportunities in Belgium believe that Belgian biotechnology companies and university centres specialising in research are among the leaders in their sector, which saw turnover in Belgium rise by more than 30% during 2002.
In addition, Belgium's central position within the European Union has allowed the country to succeed in attracting considerable levels of investment.
Indeed it is estimated that more than 100 companies in Belgium are involved with the biotechnology sector, and just under 80% of these are focused around healthcare.
There are also a number of the large pharmaceutical players present who have pioneered scientific research in the country.
Chiltern International business development executive Hannah Taylor conducted a research project into the market recently, and established links with a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as visiting a variety of companies around the Brussels region.
"There are currently a number of very interesting biotechnology research projects ongoing in Belgium and Chiltern is well placed to assist these companies with clinical development, particularly during the early Phase stages," she commented.
"The UK may have a potential advantage in attracting Phase I trials from Belgium as it is well set up to implement the new EU Clinical Trials Directive in May 2004," added Dr Taylor.
"For example, in the UK, although regulatory assessment is not currently required for healthy volunteer studies it is required for other types of early phase work and later phase studies.
"Thus, in a sense, all that is needed to accommodate the new EU Clinical Trials Directive is to expand this system.
"In effect, the UK will have a seamless regulatory assessment system for all phases of clinical trials".
