Inside UCB’s new gene therapy facility

Today, I experienced a memorable day on our Braine campus in Belgium. We officially inaugurated our gene therapy facility, a place where hope meets science.

Standing in the new building, watching years of heartfelt planning become reality, I felt immense pride.
 

Changing lives from lab to patient

Gene therapy fundamentally changes how we approach complex and devastating diseases by addressing their genetic roots. To truly serve patients, we knew we needed to bring capabilities in-house.

The new facility is a strategic investment that gives us complete end-to-end control over our gene therapy pipeline. From early analytical development to clinical manufacturing and rigorous quality control, we now oversee every step under one roof. This helps us move faster, adapt quickly, and hold ourselves to uncompromising standards for each patient we serve.

Where science meets scale

The new building feels like a true reflection of what we’re working toward. For me, it’s more than just a facility - it’s an agile, future-ready space shaped to support every aspect of our multi-product gene therapy strategy.

Our clinical manufacturing takes place in a 1,200-square-meter pilot plant. Using flexible single-use bioreactors (200 L & 500 L), we can produce up to 15 batches a year. These are supported by completely robotized fill-and-finish lines to minimize human error and maximize safety.

Right next door, our state-of-the-art analytical labs and process sciences laboratories mirror our production spaces exactly. This thoughtful alignment makes transferring life-saving processes from research and development to actual manufacturing smoother and faster. Everything is powered by a fully integrated digital ecosystem, providing real-time process control across 3,000 automation points.

Sustaining our communities

We see every day how deeply human health and environmental health are connected. That’s why, from the very beginning, we made sure the building was designed with thoughtful sustainability goals at its heart.

We are aiming to reach the BREEAM "Excellent" certification, which could make this facility one of the first pharmaceutical production facilities in the European Union to reach such a high standard. For me, this reflects not just our goals, but our values: striving to do what’s right for patients and for the communities we are part of.

Investing in our people and our community

While the technology and the building are impressive, what matters most to us are the people - the dedicated colleagues who bring this vision to life and those we have the privilege to serve. The construction of the building was truly a collaborative effort, with more than 400 hardworking team members coming together on-site at its peak.

We work passionately to make our company a truly great place to work. By creating an environment that fosters collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation, we attract exceptional talent who share our vision. We also designed the facility with growth in mind. We have 2,200 square meters reserved for possible manufacturing expansion and an additional 2,000 square meters for building expansion.

Looking ahead

Walking through the corridors of our new workplace, I am constantly reminded of the immense trust patients place in us. Every thoughtful design choice serves one purpose: getting high-quality treatments to patients safely and efficiently.

While the inauguration was a beautiful celebration of our progress, the real work is just beginning. We have the team, the infrastructure, and the capabilities needed to drive the next wave of gene therapy innovations. If you share our vision for a healthier future, I invite you to follow our ongoing research.