NEWS
June 22, 2023
Baton Rouge Health District Participates in International Life Sciences Trade Mission to Belgium
BATON ROUGE, LA – This week, Baton Rouge Health District is participating in an international economic growth and diversification mission in Belgium. This exchange is part of the BIO Day, a gathering of Louisiana and Belgian bioscience business and research leaders, co-hosted by Gov. John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) officials. The delegation includes LED Secretary Don Pierson, leaders from LED’s Office of International Commerce, LED’s Office of Business Development, the LED FastStart workforce development team, and members of the governor’s staff. Among the state entities represented will be Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge Health District, New Orleans BioInnovation Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, Tulane University Medical Center, University of Louisiana Monroe, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy in Shreveport. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Shreveport Next will also be represented.
In addition to the statewide “BIO Day,” which will bring together an array of Louisiana and Belgian bioscience business and research leaders at Corda Campus, a business park in Hasselt, Belgium, that is recognized internationally as a major hub of biotech innovation, Baton Rouge Health District organized extension meetings for the Baton Rouge delegation to explore international partnership in health and life sciences that would directly benefit the capital region. These meetings are a result of existing relationships and interest developed out of the Health District’s economic development work with Baton Rouge Area Chamber and research priorities with Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a member of the Baton Rouge Health District.
“Collaboration and partnership are at the core of the Baton Rouge Health District and our HealthTech Catalyst regional innovation program. The great representation of health and life science institutions from both our region and across the state of Louisiana are a testament to this spirit,” says Steven Ceulemans, Executive Director of the Health District. “We look forward to the chance of connecting with Belgian biotech leaders, ranked among the top of their field in Europe and across the world.”
Baton Rouge focused meetings will include international leaders in health and life sciences with a presence in both Europe and the United States. Partners include the Antwerp Science Park, University Hospital Leuven Medical Center home to the Belgian Association for the Study of Obesity (BASO), Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, and BlueChem Incubator for Sustainable Chemistry. Following the mission, Baton Rouge Health District will continue to foster these relationships in the hopes of strengthening synergies and solidifying collaborative partnerships for future economic growth and research opportunities in health and life sciences.
About the Baton Rouge Health District
The Baton Rouge Health District is a coalition of patient-focused, innovative healthcare organizations committed to the vision of a world-class, high performing health destination at the heart of a healthy and vibrant community. As a non-profit organization, the Health District promotes collaboration among healthcare providers, government officials, payors, higher education institutions and others to implement a master plan that will enhance healthcare and economic development in Baton Rouge. Founding members of the Baton Rouge Health District include Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Ochsner Health, Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University and Woman’s Hospital.