Biotech companies in Belgium advancing medical practices significantly
Belgium's vibrant biotech sector is making significant strides in clinical research, with a diverse range of startups focusing on immunotherapy, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.
Augustine Therapeutics, based in Belgium, is leading the charge with its most advanced candidate, AGT-100216, currently in clinical trials to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Meanwhile, Precirix, situated in Brussels, has submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA for its radiopharmaceutical candidate CAM-FAP-Ac-225, which targets fibroblast activation protein.
Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, based in Liege, is another Belgian powerhouse. The company is developing a clinically advanced intravenous form of aspirin for acute coronary syndrome and has announced positive clinical results for its patent-pending liquid formulation of atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Hyloris Pharmaceuticals has also partnered with Kuvatris Therapeutics to advance the intravenous formulation of suramin for sleeping sickness, currently in phase 3 studies.
AgomAb Therapeutics, based in Ghent, is focusing on fibrotic disease therapies. Its most advanced candidate, AGMB-129, is a drug for Crohn's disease that inhibits the protein ALK5. Interim results of a phase 2 study showed promise in March, while AGMB-447, another clinical candidate, is being investigated for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is in phase 1 trials.
Galapagos, a Belgium-based biotech giant valued at $3–4 billion, is specializing in small-molecule and cell therapies for inflammation, fibrosis, and kidney disease. Its lead cell therapy candidate, GLPG5101, is a CAR-T therapy for B-cell malignancies and is in phase 2 studies. Galapagos' tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor GLPG3667 for systemic lupus erythematosus is also in phase 2 trials.
Other notable Belgian biotech startups include Amyl Therapeutics, ATB Therapeutics, and Santero Therapeutics, each focusing on specific areas such as immunotherapeutics, cancer and autoimmune diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, respectively.
Belgium's biotech industry is bolstered by strong life science clusters such as BioVille (Hasselt), Brussels South Charleroi Biopark, and Ghent Bio-Energy Valley, which provide specialized R&D environments in medical tech, cell and gene therapy, immunology, and cancer research.
While specific lead clinical candidates are often confidential or not fully disclosed in early-stage startups, these companies represent Belgium’s clinical progress in biotech, focusing on immunotherapies, oncology/autoimmune disorders, and antimicrobial resistance.
References: [1] De Tavernier, E. (2022). The top Belgian biotech startups making significant clinical progress. Tech.eu. Retrieved from https://tech.eu/news/top-belgian-biotech-startups-making-significant-clinical-progress/ [2] De Tavernier, E. (2022). The top Belgian biotech startups making significant clinical progress. Tech.eu. Retrieved from https://tech.eu/news/top-belgian-biotech-startups-making-significant-clinical-progress/ [3] Galapagos. (2022). About Galapagos. Retrieved from https://www.glpg.com/about-us/
- Augustine Therapeutics, based in Belgium, is working on AGT-100216, an advanced candidate in cell therapy currently in clinical trials for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
- Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, another Belgian powerhouse, is developing cell therapy for acute coronary syndrome and has reported positive clinical results for its ADHD treatment, while collaborating with Kuvatris Therapeutics for sleeping sickness.
- AgomAb Therapeutics, located in Ghent, specializes in immunotherapy and fibrotic disease therapies, with AGMB-129 in phase 2 studies for Crohn's disease and AGMB-447 in phase 1 trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- Galapagos, a Belgium-based biotech giant, is researching small-molecule and cell therapies for inflammation, fibrosis, and kidney disease, with GLPG5101 in phase 2 studies for B-cell malignancies and GLPG3667 in phase 2 trials for systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Besides these, other notable Belgian biotech startups like Amyl Therapeutics, ATB Therapeutics, and Santero Therapeutics are focusing on health-and-wellness areas such as immunotherapeutics, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and antimicrobial resistance respectively.
