GSK wins the essenscia Innovation Award 2025!
We are proud to announce that GSK has won the essenscia Innovation Award 2025, the highest Belgian distinction for industrial innovation. This victory highlights GSK's commitment to scientific innovation and its positive impact on global health through its innovative RSV vaccine.
Recognition of Belgian Innovation
The essenscia Innovation Award, organised by the Belgian federation of the chemical industry and life sciences, has showcased the sector's most significant advancements. After being selected from 23 high-calibre applications and competing alongside seven other finalist companies, all demonstrating the vitality of Belgian innovation, GSK distinguished itself by being crowned the winner.
GSK's innovation: the first RSV vaccine
GSK has won the award for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, a medical world-first. Developed and produced by GSK, including in Belgium, this vaccine has been approved in over 60 countries.
RSV, often underdiagnosed, poses a serious threat, especially to adults aged 60 and over, and can lead to severe, even fatal pneumonia. After two decades of intensive research by GSK's teams in Belgium, this vaccine offers protection to millions of patients worldwide. Unlike other viruses, such as those responsible for influenza or COVID, RSV is stable, and our vaccine provides protection for at least three years.
Belgium, a hub of excellence for vaccines
The development and production of this vaccine in Belgium have strengthened our country's status as the "Vaccine Silicon Valley." The project was managed from Belgium, integrating a large part of our value chain: from R&D in Rixensart, to the global distribution centre in Gembloux, and through Wavre, our largest industrial vaccine production site in the world.
Sustainable commitment
Beyond medical innovation, GSK is also committed to sustainability. For the RSV vaccine, our efforts have been recognised with a "Carbon Trust" certification. The production of this vaccine aligns with GSK's goal to achieve "net zero carbon" by 2030, integrating this objective at all levels, from R&D to the full product lifecycle. The vaccine is also manufactured in the formulation unit in Wavre, that received the label Factory of the Future.
Award ceremony
The essenscia Innovation Award 2025 ceremony was held on 25 November in Brussels, in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid. GSK had the honour of receiving this prestigious award, celebrating the excellence of Belgian innovation in the life sciences sector.