Born of a bold gamble - to contribute to the region’s socio-economic reconversion by setting up a university research cluster in Charleroi and creating an innovation ecosystem - BioPark Charleroi has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. This anniversary was a good opportunity to reiterate: the bold challenge has been met! Today, BioPark Charleroi brings together three ULB research institutes (IBMM, IMI and CMMI in collaboration with UMONS), over 100 companies, 3,500 qualified professionals, a training hub and has generated over 3.2 billion euros in cumulative transactions.
Initiated by ULB, the story began in 1999 with the creation of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine (IBMM) on the Charleroi Aéropole, thanks to support from Wallonia and the European Union; followed in 2005 by the birth of the Institute of Medical Immunology (IMI) in partnership with GSK.
"The academic research carried out by the BioPark teams over the past 25 years has advanced knowledge in the life and health sciences. It is part of a virtuous continuum that links research, teaching, lifelong learning and support for entrepreneurship. This integrated model fully illustrates the mission of a university committed to transmitting knowledge and training students and talent in biological, medical and biomedical fields. In Charleroi, this dynamic takes on its full meaning on the BioPark campus: initiated by IBMM and then IMI, it has seen the emergence of a unique ecosystem where research laboratories, technology platforms and innovative companies interact. Together, they play an active role in the socio-economic redeployment of an entire region," emphasizes ULB Rector Annemie Schaus.
IGRETEC, the intercommunal real estate partner, and SAMBRINVEST, the financial partner, are supporting the development of the campus through the creation of an incubator and infrastructure adapted to the birth and growth of innovative companies. In 2010, the University of Mons (UMONS) joined the project, contributing to the creation of the Centre for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging (CMMI).
The BioPark Charleroi is clearly based on an exceptional synergy between academia, the private sector and public authorities.
Over the years, companies have set up shop here: subsidiaries of international groups, innovative SMEs, Belgian and foreign university spin-offs. Their activities cover the entire value chain - from research and development to validation and production. Their expertise covers a wide range of fields, including oncology, immune diseases, cell and gene therapies, vaccines and neurodegenerative diseases.
And growth continues: with Biotech 5, the fruit of a strategic partnership with Wallonie Entreprendre, almost 25,000 m² of infrastructure will be available by 2026, including 5,000 m² dedicated to the EU Biotech Campus, a European training center for biotech professions, the campus is strengthening its capacity for expansion.
Dominique Demonté , CEO, BioPark Charleroi: "We’ve come an incredible distance, and it’s testament to the collective energy of BioPark Charleroi. We’re building on this momentum with the clear aim of making BioPark Charleroi one of the top five clusters in Europe