GSK to Invest Over €250 Million in New Lyophilized Vaccine Manufacturing Site in Belgium

Intelligent Finance APP learned that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.US) will invest more than 250 million euros (272 million US dollars) to establish a vaccine production base in Belgium, to consolidate the country's position as a global health and biotechnology center.

This pharmaceutical company will establish a new freeze-dried vaccine production base in Wavre, the world's largest vaccine production base. It is reported that freeze-drying technology aims to make vaccines more stable and extend their shelf life.

GSK stated that the new center, located southeast of Brussels, will be operational by 2027. It will provide both non-live vaccines such as Zona and RSV vaccines, and live vaccines for measles and chickenpox, with an annual production capacity of tens of millions of doses.

Belgian Prime Minister De Croo said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world what is happening in Belgium. We see that biopharmaceuticals are becoming more geostrategically significant than ever before. We see other countries paying attention to what is happening in Belgium, so we are taking steps to maintain our leading position."

Emmanuel Amory, GSK's representative in Belgium, stated that Belgium exported COVID-19 vaccines globally during the pandemic and currently invests approximately 1.5 billion euros annually in the biotechnology sector. GSK, on the other hand, invests between 300 million and 500 million euros annually in Belgium.

Rudy Rosolen, Vice President of Production at GSK Belgium, stated that the innovative technology of the center will help improve the reliability of supply, dosage, and quality.

It is reported that, prior to GSK's aforementioned commitment, Pfizer (PFE.US) announced last year an investment of 1.2 billion euros to establish a branch in Puurs, Belgium, while Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK.US) plans to invest 300 million euros in Lessen.

Currently, Belgium has more than 140 biotechnology companies and startups.