Belgian biotech fragmentation hinders global scale

A new research paper published today by PwC highlights significant regional fragmentation within Belgium's biotech sector, presenting a barrier to its global scaling. The report, detailed in a recent Euractiv news item titled [Belgium urged to unite biotech under national consortium [Advocacy Lab]](#src-1), advocates for the establishment of a national consortium. This consortium would consolidate dispersed efforts across Belgian regions, aiming to enhance the country's global competitiveness in life sciences innovation. The paper underscores that current regional divisions hinder the sector's ability to achieve scale and impact on the international stage.

This call for national cohesion aligns with broader European initiatives addressing fragmentation within life sciences and healthtech innovation ecosystems. For instance, the INNAXE project, which concluded in June 2024, specifically aimed to strengthen interconnections and foster dialogue among European innovation ecosystems. Its objective was to increase efficiency and innovation capacities by defining a joint actionable plan to overcome existing fragmentation. Similarly, the ongoing LIFESCIENCE4EU project, set to conclude in June 2025, focuses on leveraging technology to strengthen EU competitiveness in life sciences, emphasizing the need for collaboration across research, development, and regulatory bodies.

Belgium's challenge reflects a recurring theme in the EU deeptech landscape, where fragmented national or regional approaches can limit the potential of innovative sectors. The recommendation for a unified national strategy suggests a recognition that coordinated efforts are essential for smaller nations to compete effectively against larger, more consolidated biotech hubs globally.

What this means: Belgium's biotech sector faces a critical juncture. Without a coordinated national strategy, regional fragmentation risks impeding its growth and global competitiveness. The proposed national consortium offers a pathway to consolidate resources and expertise, potentially unlocking greater innovation and scale, and setting a precedent for similar challenges in other EU deeptech areas.