Walloon Brabant: a thriving hub for pharma, R&D and innovation
Located in the heart of Belgium, just south of Brussels, Walloon Brabant is known for its economic dynamism and strategic location. The Walloon province has become an important location for the European pharmaceutical industry and research and development. The Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) in Louvain-la-Neuve therefore plays an important economic role for the province. The dynamism of office and service activities in cities such as Wavre, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Waterloo, Braine-l'Alleud and Louvain-la-Neuve reinforces the attractiveness of the region as a first-class business and innovation location.
Economic importance
Walloon Brabant has been experiencing strong economic growth for years, with a GDP increase of 4% per year over the last 15 years, the highest in Belgium. The tertiary sector accounts for nearly 64% of the workforce, significantly more than in neighbouring regions. The province is known for its highly educated population, with 55.7% of its residents having a tertiary degree.
Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain)
Founded in 1425, the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) is one of the oldest universities in Europe, having counted among its students personalities such as Erasmus and Vesalius. She is also associated with Georges Lemaître, who formulated the Big Bang theory, and Christian de Duve, Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1974. The university stands out for its commitment to academic excellence and research, investing €285 million annually in these areas.
With nearly 40,000 students spread over eight campuses in Wallonia and Brussels, UCLouvain offers a wide range of courses, from bachelor's to doctorate, as well as continuing education courses. It has been a pioneer in educational innovation by launching MOOCs on the Edx platform, currently offering 43 online courses. This academic diversity is supported by 20 faculties and 25 research institutes, which have around 3,400 researchers.
UCLouvain is ranked 170th in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranking and is recognized as the first French-speaking university in Belgium. The institution promotes internationalization, with 25% of its teaching staff and 40% of its scientific staff coming from abroad. In 2025, it will celebrate its 600th anniversary, a testament to its rich heritage and impact on the global academic landscape.
UCLouvain plays a central role in the region's economy. The university emphasizes collaboration with industrial partners, which has resulted in many spinoffs and startups, especially in the technology and biotechnology sectors. Its research parks and incubators provide essential support to innovative companies, thus fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.
UCLouvain's presence contributes significantly to the local economy, with estimates suggesting that it accounts for 11% of the GDP of the province of Walloon Brabant. The region is also a leader in R&D spending, with spending significantly higher than in neighbouring regions.
Pharmaceutical and R&D Center
Walloon Brabant is a region of Belgium that is home to several medical companies. These companies specialize in a variety of fields, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare services. Notable medical companies in Walloon Brabant include GSK (innovative vaccines and specialty drugs), Baxter (medical devices, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and kidney care products), IBA (particle accelerator technology for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious diseases), and UCB (serious diseases in immunology and neurology).
These companies are recognized for their innovative research and development, cutting-edge technologies, and commitment to improving health outcomes for patients around the world. Overall, Walloon Brabant's medical companies are an essential part of the region's economy and contribute significantly to the advancement of medical science and technology.
The presence of these industry giants has boosted a thriving ecosystem of startups and SMEs, reinforcing the region's reputation as a leading hub for pharmaceutical innovation and R&D.
Office and service activity
The total office space in the Periphery-South area currently stands at around 480,500 m². The area includes municipalities such as Waterloo, Louvain-La-Neuve, La Hulpe, Hoeilaart, Braine-L'Alleud and Wavre. The offices are mostly structured in business parks, with units ranging from 2,000 m² to 5,000 m². Business parks such as Waterloo Office Park, Parc de l'Alliance and Axis Parc in Mont-St-Guibert are addresses of well-known companies.
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Wavre: Known for its dynamic business environment, Wavre is home to several business parks and office complexes, offering modern workspaces with excellent connectivity to Brussels.
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Mont-Saint-Guibert: Home to the Axis Parc, this area offers more than 50,000 square meters of office space, ideal for companies looking for an affordable and quality price.
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Waterloo: Famous for its historical significance, Waterloo combines modern business parks with historic buildings and attracts businesses due to its strategic location near Brussels and high quality of life.
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Braine-l'Alleud: This city offers a mix of industrial and office spaces, with a focus on sustainability and innovation, making it attractive to various sectors.
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Louvain-la-Neuve: The university-centric environment here is a hotspot for innovation, with several science parks and incubators supporting research-driven companies.
Quantum Biospace
Quantum Biospace is an innovative science park located in Wavre, Wallonia, dedicated to accelerating drug development through artificial intelligence (AI) and deeptech. Initiated by BVI.EU, this ambitious project seeks to bring together biotechnology and deeptech companies in a collaborative environment. Wallonia, thanks to its network of universities and academic hospitals, as well as its dynamic ecosystem, is positioned as a central player in the biopharma sector, taking advantage of advances in bioinformatics and AI.
Covering 175,000 m², Quantum Biospace will include offices, specialized laboratories and production spaces, thus promoting synergy between the various players in the industry. The main objective of this innovation centre is to create an ecosystem conducive to the research and manufacture of medicines, consolidating at the same time Wallonia's position as a centre of excellence in the biopharmaceutical and technological field in Europe.
Quantum Biospace's infrastructure will include dry and wet labs, chemistry labs, biosafety labs, as well as clean rooms, all designed to optimize research. In addition, the park will offer logistics solutions to support marketing, business amenities, a fine restaurant, a boutique hotel and dedicated team building facilities. Quantum Biospace is designed to drive innovation through interconnected layout, collaborative community services, flexible spaces, and much more.
Focus on quality of life
The high quality of life in Walloon Brabant will continue to be an important asset for companies and employees. The excellence of its educational institutions, cultural facilities and green spaces make it an attractive place to live and work. Efforts to improve the quality of life, such as improving public services and recreational facilities, will enhance the attractiveness of the region and support its economic growth.
