The bioincubator of the House of Biohealth
The next extension of the House of Biohealth will be completely devoted to hosting start-ups and spin-offs from the healthcare technology sector. By spring 2021, this 'bioincubator' will make available fully equipped laboratories to start-ups, as well as offer professional coaching in the field of business development, focusing on sector-specific activities.
The new jewel of the House of Biohealth
The third and final extension of the House of Biohealth will provide close to 350m2 of fully equipped laboratory space which will be made available to a maximum of ten start-ups and spin-offs during their initial three years of activity. However, it is not just space that has been made available, entrepreneurial support is also provided, hence the name "bioincubator". In fact, budding businesses in the health technology sector will be able to benefit from professional support in terms of specialised business development.
Inaugurated in 2015, the House of Biohealth currently hosts nine companies and two public research laboratories: the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LSCB). With the extension, the institution will be able to host close to 600 researchers in a space which comprises 9,500m2 of laboratories and 5,500 m2 of offices.
The House of Biohealth, more than a building
The House of Biohealth is a hosting facility for companies in the biotechnology, ICT and ecotechnology sector - the outcome of a partnership between the Ministry of Economy, private investors and the Syndicat intercommunal pour la création, l'aménagement, la promotion et l'exploitation d'une zone d'activités économiques à caractère régional à Ehlerange (ZARE)
The clustering of companies provides significant synergies, often creating new opportunities owing to the amalgamation of public research activities with commercial activities on a common site.
Fast Track Diagnostics, the fight against Coronavirus spearheaded in Esch-sur-Alzette
The development of the company Fast Track Diagnostics demonstrates the progress in the field of healthcare technologies that are 'made in Luxembourg' and the role of infrastructures made available at the House of Biohealth.
Created in 2006 in Esch-sur-Alzette, it has subsequently become one of the world's leading suppliers of diagnostic kits for the detection of infectious diseases. In 2016, it obtained the first prize at the Export Awards 2015-2016. The purpose of the awards is to reward small and medium-sized enterprises that have distinguished themselves owing to the expansion of their activities on the global stage. In 2017, the company was purchased by Siemens Healthineers. It currently employs 127 people.
Fast Track Diagnostics developed the molecular diagnostic kits (PCR) used as part of the Large Scale Testing in Luxembourg. Approximately 6.5 million tests have been produced since March 2020; they are currently used in 120 countries.
Healthcare technologies, a pillar in the diversification of the economy
This initiative is part of Luxembourg's strategy to diversify its economy. For several years, the country has demonstrated its commitment to become a leading destination for capital and talent in the health technology sector. In fact, over the past ten years, significant sums of investment have been made to establish the necessary framework for the development of new companies in this sector, as well as to attract companies from other continents.
In this regard, the bioincubator intends to further develop the economic impact of investment devoted to the expansion of biomedical public research in Luxembourg. It also aims to foster the transition from an ecosystem based on public research towards an innovative ecosystem spearheaded by companies.
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