The Nucleus opens: Ghent University and industry join forces to make medicines more sustainably

Nucleus (large view)

(02-10-2026) Today, The Nucleus officially opens its doors on Campus Eiland in Zwijnaarde. In this new building, researchers and companies are working together on new medicines and on smarter, more sustainable ways to develop and manufacture them.

Developing new medicines takes teamwork

Finding an active substance is only the beginning. It then has to be turned into a medicine that is safe, effective and easy for patients to use. This requires expertise from different fields: from finding the right formulation and dose to testing the medicine and manufacturing it sustainably.

Universities and companies need each other throughout this process. Researchers lay the foundations for new knowledge and technologies. Companies bring in their expertise and infrastructure to further develop medicines, manufacture them at scale and ultimately bring them to patients.

The Nucleus makes it easier to bring these different worlds together. It brings specialised laboratories such as cleanrooms, research and business spaces, and shared facilities together in one location.

A strong science park brings together not only infrastructure, knowledge and business activity, but above all people. At Tech Lane, The Nucleus creates a place where researchers and entrepreneurs can meet more easily and where new collaborations can emerge. After all, innovation often starts simply by bringing the right people together.” - Johan Bil, Head of Science Parks

At the heart of Ghent’s technology ecosystem

It is no coincidence that The Nucleus is located at Tech Lane Ghent Science Park. In recent years, Ghent has grown into an important technology hub. One of the city’s major strengths is the close proximity of the university, research centres, start-ups and technology companies – and the fact that they work together.

This is particularly visible on and around Tech Lane. It is home to the VIB Bio-incubator, for example, as well as companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech, which manufacture advanced cell therapies for cancer there.

The Nucleus adds a new place to this ecosystem, where academic knowledge helps companies move forward and industry expertise, in turn, feeds new research.

“The Nucleus on Campus Eiland Zwijnaarde literally brings research, unique infrastructure and entrepreneurship under one roof. For companies looking to grow close to Ghent University’s expertise, it is a prime location within Tech Lane Ghent Science Park. Companies can still apply for available laboratory and business spaces and become part of this growing ecosystem.” - Christoph Portier, Business Developer Science Parks

CESPE brings together Ghent University expertise

At Ghent University, this type of collaboration is already taking place through CESPE, the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Pharmaceutical Engineering & Manufacturing. CESPE brings together researchers with different areas of expertise across the entire process of medicine development and manufacturing. Together, they explore ways to make pharmaceutical manufacturing more efficient, flexible and sustainable.

The Nucleus now gives this collaboration a physical base, close to companies in the sector. For researchers from the Faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bioscience Engineering in particular, this creates new opportunities to work with colleagues from other disciplines and with industry partners.

“Discovering an active substance is only the beginning. To turn a promising molecule into a medicine, we also need to understand how best to formulate and administer it, and how to manufacture the final medicine in a reliable, efficient and sustainable way. Within CESPE, we bring together expertise in drug development and innovative manufacturing technologies. The Nucleus provides us with a unique environment and infrastructure to connect these different disciplines even more closely, both physically and scientifically, and to translate scientific innovations more quickly into applications in drug development and manufacturing.” - Prof. Thomas De Beer, Principal Investigator at CESPE

Designed to bring people together

The building itself also helps foster collaboration. Alongside specialised laboratories and business spaces, The Nucleus offers meeting and event spaces and a wide range of shared facilities. There is room not only to work together on research, but also to meet one another – whether planned or by chance.

Sustainability was also a major consideration in the building’s design. The Nucleus was designed according to circular principles, uses bio-ecological materials and features an innovative energy system. The building is aiming for a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, the highest rating under the international sustainability standard for buildings.

The Nucleus is a joint initiative of Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), Ghent University, POM East Flanders and sogent.

With The Nucleus, Ghent University is investing in more than new research infrastructure. It also brings ‘UGent Verbeeldt’ to life on Campus Eiland Zwijnaarde: we are creating a place where researchers, students and partners can find each other more easily, where ideas can grow and where collaboration has room to flourish.

Contact

Conference facilities

Els Declerck
welcome@thenucleus.be
+32 4741 44 77 46

Commercial space

Dr Christoph Portier
Business Developer Science Parks
christoph.portier@ugent.be
+32 9 264 89 87

Collaboration opportunities

Dr Willem Dhooge
Manager CESPE
willem.dhooge@ugent.be

Meer info