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:
We are one of the world’s largest vaccines company, delivering vaccines that help protect people at all stages of life. Our R&D focuses on developing vaccines against infectious diseases that combine high medical need and strong market potential.
Belgium is the heart of GSK Vaccines, with three major vaccine sites, in Wavre, Rixensart and Gembloux, including the global headquarters from the vaccines division of the group. That also means we represent the largest industrial network of vaccines worldwide.
Almost one-fourth of the +9,000 people who work at GSK Vaccines in Belgium specialise in the discovery of new vaccines and the development of combination products for the prevention of infections that cause serious medical problems in the world.
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of our vaccines are exported to over 160 countries
99% -
doses of vaccines are produced every day
+ 2 million
Our pharmaceutical research and development activity covers a wide range of innovative medicines in the fields of respiratory diseases, HIV, infectious and immuno-inflammatory diseases and oncology. We are strengthening our research and development pipeline by focusing on immunology, human genetics and new technologies to provide patients with innovative treatments that meet their needs.
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.
