Belgium: the heart of GSK Vaccines
We ask each of our almost 9 000 employees working in Belgium to share our mission and to think about how they can help all those patients who rely on our products. For that reason, every day our 1,800 scientists research and develop vaccines. And that is why we have been pioneering new solutions allowing us to make our products available to those who need them, wherever they live and whatever their ability to pay.
Need a quick overview of GSK's role and missions in Belgium? Our flyer will give you the information you need:
Our history in Belgium
GSK was formed in 2000 following the merger of Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc, but our combined histories go back much further than that.
The very first predecessor of GSK, Plough Court Pharmacy, dates from 1715. Predecessors of GSK in Belgium made numerous discoveries in the 1930s and marketed medicines that are still considered as milestones in the history of healthcare.
Our vaccine heritage goes back to Piet De Somer (who became the first rector of the of the KUL). Christian de Duve (future Nobel laureate) also worked as a research scientist. These two Belgians conducted the first research on penicillin and penicillin and antiviral vaccines vaccines as early as 1945.
The company R.I.T. (Recherche et Industrie Thérapeutique), founded by Piet De Somer together with Christian de Duve in Genval and Rixensart, brought the life-saving medicine penicillin to the market.
