Vaccinopolis will enormously boost Antwerp's health industry ecosystem

Unique in mainland Europe, Vaccinopolis is a brand-new testing facility in Antwerp where vaccine trials can be performed. According to driving forces Pierre Van Damme and Silvia Lenaerts, this state-of-the-art infrastructure will attract many international businesses to Antwerp and boost the city’s innovative health industry ecosystem.

Silvia Lenaerts is professor and vice-rector of valorization & development at the University of Antwerp. She emphasizes that Vaccinopolis is more than just a facility. “Vaccinopolis must become the focal point of Antwerp’s health industry ecosystem. We already have a vast and experienced network in the health sector, with the hospitals UZA, ZNA/GZA, the renowned Institute for Tropical Medicine, and various close-by vaccine manufacturers, but we need more business innovation. We also want to attract diagnostic companies and businesses dealing with data and AI. The unique concept of Vaccinopolis and its proximity to many partners in the health innovation ecosystem offers great value for so many, which entails many opportunities.”

We already have a vast and experienced health ecosystem, but we need more business innovation.

Even before the official opening, Vaccinopolis has been contacted by a wide range of companies, from Belgium and Europe and the States and Canada. “We make reservations as we speak, and many negotiations are ongoing,” says Pierre Van Damme. “You can imagine that we are dealing with major contracts.” Silvia adds: “Big pharmaceutical companies are more and more focused on global public health. Whereas vaccines were associated with low profitability in the past, today we notice a significant shift towards social impact.”