Biotech Companies in Belgium Achieving Clinical Milestones
Belgium's burgeoning healthcare sector continues to make waves in the global biotech industry, thanks to the various clusters that the country houses. Here are the top 7 Belgian biotech companies making notable strides in clinical development:
1. Galapagos
Founded in 1999, Galapagos specializes in cell therapies and small molecules for diseases like B-cell malignancies, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammation, fibrosis, and kidney disease. The company's lead clinical candidate, GLPG5101, is a CAR-T therapy for B-cell blood cancers in phase 2 development. Clinical data show high response rates in various lymphoma types. Galapagos also has a tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor (GLPG3667) in phase 2 trials for systemic lupus.
2. AgomAb Therapeutics
Based in Ghent and founded in 2017, AgomAb focuses on fibrotic diseases, developing monoclonal antibodies that mimic growth factors. The company recently raised $100 million in Series C to advance their fibrosis drug discovery platform. AgomAb's most advanced clinical candidate, AGMB-129, is for Crohn's disease and is in a phase 2 study. Interim results showed promise in March.
3. Precirix
Headquartered in Brussels since 2014, Precirix develops radio-immunotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment. The company uses a B2B model and recently secured $88 million in Series B funding to push cancer therapeutics forward. Precirix's phase 1 candidate CAM-H2 targets HER-2, a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells in cancers like breast cancer.
4. Capsida Biotherapeutics
Transitioning from preclinical to clinical stage, Capsida focuses on gene therapies, including candidates for STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (CAP-002) and Parkinson’s disease (PD-GBA), both receiving FDA IND clearance in 2025 with trials starting soon.
5. Novadip Biosciences
Mentioned as a key Belgian biotech innovator but details are less highlighted in current clinical progress; focuses broadly in biotech and health tech sectors.
6. Amyl Therapeutics
Listed among top healthtech startups, working in therapeutics, possibly targeting neurodegenerative diseases, though specific clinical advancements from the sources are not detailed.
7. Univercells
A biotech innovator in Belgium focused on biomanufacturing solutions, which supports clinical development though not necessarily a therapeutic developer per se.
These companies cover a broad spectrum from gene and cell therapies to monoclonal antibodies and innovative cancer treatments, illustrating Belgium's strong position in advancing clinical-stage biotech innovations. Galapagos, AgomAb, Precirix, and Capsida stand out for their active or imminent clinical trials and substantial funding supporting their development pipelines.
In addition to these companies, other notable biotech players in Belgium include Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, MRM Health, and BioVille. Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, for instance, recently announced positive clinical results for atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MRM Health is engaged in the discovery of drugs for Parkinson's disease, type 1 diabetes, and an autoimmune disease called spondyloarthritis that affects the spine and the joints.
The major life science clusters in the country are BioVille, the Brussels South Charleroi Biopark, and the Ghent Bio-Energy Valley. These clusters, along with the government's support and the presence of several academic research institutions, have contributed to Belgium's position as the second-largest biotech industry in Europe, with over 300 biopharmaceutical companies operating in the country.
- The healthcare sector in Belgium is making significant strides in the global biotech industry, with companies like Galapagos specializing in cell therapies and small molecules for numerous medical-conditions, such as B-cell malignancies and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- AgomAb Therapeutics, a Ghent-based company, focuses on fibrotic diseases and is currently advancing their fibrosis drug discovery platform with monoclonal antibodies. AGMB-129, their most advanced clinical candidate, is for Crohn's disease and is in a phase 2 study.
- Precirix, based in Brussels, develops radio-immunotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment, using a B2B model, and has recently secured $88 million in Series B funding to push cancer therapeutics forward.
- Capsida Biotherapeutics, a biotech company in clinical stage, focuses on gene therapies, including candidates for STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and Parkinson’s disease, both receiving FDA IND clearance in 2025 with trials starting soon.
- Novadip Biosciences, another key Belgian biotech innovator, operates in the biotech and health tech sectors, although specific clinical advancements are less highlighted at present.
- Amyl Therapeutics, listed among top healthtech startups, is engaged in therapeutics, possibly targeting neurodegenerative diseases, with current specific clinical advancements not detailed.
- Univercells, yet another Belgian biotech innovator, focuses on biomanufacturing solutions that support clinical development, even though they are not necessarily a therapeutic developer per se.
These seven companies, along with Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, MRM Health, and BioVille, among others, contribute to Belgium's strong position in advancing clinical-stage biotech innovations, ranging from gene and cell therapies to monoclonal antibodies and innovative cancer treatments.
