The EU and Belgian Life Science Innovation Ecosystems, Brussels & Leuven | 4-5 Nov ’24

On November 4–5, the Human Technopole’s Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT) organised a study tour to Belgium led by Fabio Terragni, member of the HT Management Committee delegate for technology transfer.

This event brought together professionals from Italian life sciences research institutes, universities, and research hospitals to enhance the understanding of European innovation ecosystems and promote international collaboration.

About the Study Tour

The Italian delegation included business development, technology transfer, knowledge transfer officers, and other life sciences, innovation, and R&D experts, reaching Brussels to understand how the European Union shapes policies, programs, and tools to support and fund research and innovation.  Another focus of the tour was to gain insights into Belgium’s robust innovation ecosystem, which is ranked in Europe’s top 10 for pharmaceutical employment, production, and R&D.

Program Highlights

Day 1

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The delegation visited the Biopark Charleroi Brussels South to attend a workshop on the Walloon Innovation Ecosystem. Speakers included Mehdy Oozeer, Life Sciences Specialist at AWEX; Dominique Demonté, CEO of Biopark; and Amel Tounsi, CEO of Bridge2Health and an expert in cell therapy.

This visit gave the delegation insights into Wallon’s newest project to advance technological innovation partnerships in ATMPs. With a budget of 81 million euros over three 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. 

Day 2

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The group gathered at the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU for a workshop featuring experts from European institutions, providing an overview of EU tools and strategies for research and innovation.

H.E. Ambassador Stefano Verrecchia, Deputy Permanent Representative, extended greetings to the delegation and stressed the value of Italian research and the need to give momentum to innovation and research in Europe.

Our director, prof. Marino Zerial emphasized the importance of HT’s mission at the service of the Italian community through cutting-edge research on biology and human health, setting up and managing shared research infrastructures for the national scientific community, advanced scientific training, and technology transfer.

Speakers for the workshop included:

• Michele Guerrini, Research and Innovation, Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU;
• Marco Grancagnolo, Advisor to Director for Prosperity, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission;
• Massimo Gaudina, Senior Policy Coordinator, Innovation Policies, DG Research and Innovation, EU Commission;
• Anna Sibilla, Project Advisor at the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency;
• Francesco Matteucci, Senior Advisor on Innovation at Fondazione Bruno Kessler and former EIC Programme Manager on Advanced Materials and Environmental Sustainability;
• Chiara Maiorino, Ecosystem Lead for Italy, EIT Health; Giulio Pompilio, IHI Representative for Italy, Scientific Director IRCCS Cardiologico Monzino and Scientific Coordinator PerfeTTO Network;
• Salvatore Amico Roxas, Policy Officer – Access to finance at DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Innovation Fund.

The tour concluded with a visit to KU Leuven R&D (LRD), where the delegation met with Paul Van Dun, General Manager of LRD, one of Europe’s oldest and most successful tech transfer units.

LRD guides KU Leuven’s researchers in putting their research results at the service of society, the economy, and the environment. Its 50 years of impact show the importance of research valorisation as a bridge between science and society and as a means of sustainability for universities. Indeed, KU Leuven’s turnover from technology transfer activities reached 320 million euros in 2022 while supporting the employment of one-third of the total number of employees at KU Leuven.  

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