With this latest investment Univercells is taking one step further towards a strong positioning within the Belgian biotech ecosystem as well as the delivery and completion of its vaccines’ portfolio

Univercells, a business-to-business provider focused on increasing the availability of affordable biologics to address global health challenges, has confirmed today the acquisition of land and facility located in Jumet, Wallonia, Belgium. Driven by the European Investment Bank (EIB) financing loan of € 20M secured in October, this acquisition reflects the company’s commitment to developing and commercializing its vaccine portfolio while making a positive, long-term impact on the region.

Representing an investment of € 6 850 000, this 40,000 m² site features an existing 12,000 m² building and offers great flexibility for fast-growing activities and future infrastructure deployment. New facility will welcome the delivery of its vaccine portfolio including polio, measles and rubella vaccines - supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - and rabies vaccines - funded by the Walloon Region. Univercells also plans to expand the portfolio with other key viral vaccines such as HPV (Human PapillomaVirus) and yellow fever. This vaccine portfolio is to be delivered in turnkey solutions at affordable costs and reduced time-to-market. Furthermore, the company also aims to become a long-term supplier of these undersupplied and essential vaccines to international procurement organizations and by such maximizing its positive impact on global health access.

First activities in Jumet are set to start end of 2020. Facility will also go under constructions to include cutting-edge technologies and further expand activities as well as new projects. Indeed, the company will revamp and extend the existing building up to 14,200 m² of labs and cleanrooms and 3,250 m² of offices. This extension will incorporate sustainability considerations reflecting the company’s ambition to have a corporate, social and environmental responsibility on the region and globally.

“We are very excited about this new acquisition in Jumet”, declares Hugues Bultot, CEO of Univercells. The Walloon Region has supported Univercells since its early days, which is why we are proud to invest in building an infrastructure that provides long term growth and employment for the region”.

With the addition of the Jumet site, Univercells is now deeply rooted in Belgium with 4 locations across the country. First phase of constructions in Jumet are expected to be completed during the second half of 2021 and will support the creation of new local jobs including scientists, manufacturing, and quality professionals.