Volition RX, one of our newest clients, asked us to cover the launch of their major new facility in Namur, Belgium, which will dramatically increase their capacity to carry out clinical trials.
To see the video click here.
Dr Marielle Herzog, Research and Development Director of Volition
The New Volition Facility
“Our capacity to run large clinical trials has increased significantly with this five-fold increase in laboratory space. This will facilitate large scale manual and automated robotic testing. We will now have the ability to work on several large trials at the same time, namely: the frontline screening colorectal cancer tests and lung, prostate and pancreatic cancer,” commented Dr Marielle Herzog, Research and Development Director of Volition.
Volition is a multi-national life sciences company developing simple, easy to use blood-based cancer tests to accurately diagnose a range of cancers. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics®, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid — an indication that disease is present.
Improved Laboratory Space
As cancer screening programs become more and more widespread, our products aim to help to diagnose a range of cancers quickly, simply, accurately and cost effectively. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life.
Volition’s research and development activities are currently centered in Belgium, with additional offices in London, New York, Texas and Singapore, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the U.S. and ultimately, worldwide.
Dr. Gaetan A VOL VID 5Michel, CEO of Belgian Volition
“We are delighted to have moved into our new R&D facility as we have outgrown our previous premises. This exciting upgrade allows us to accelerate our clinical trials and expedite the commercialisation of our products” said Dr. Gaetan Michel, CEO of Belgian Volition, “I would like to thank Namur Invest, Walloon Export and Foreign Agency (AWEX), the Walloon Region Government and in particular, the Trade Minister, Monsieur Jean-Claude Marcourt, for all of their support in helping make this facility very affordable. With the support and efforts of our contractors AD&C Group, we opened the facility on time and within budget.”
Belgian Volition acquired the 19,000 square foot property for EUR 1.2 million, of which EUR 1.12 million was financed pursuant to a Real Estate Capital Lease Agreement with ING Asset Finance Belgium S.A. As part of the transaction, Belgian Volition granted ING a right of emphyteusis (a form of leasehold) on the property and ING granted Belgian Volition a 15-year lease over the property with an option for Belgian Volition to purchase the property outright at the end of the lease upon payment of EUR 33,600. The investment was further supported with the financial backing of Preface S.A./Namur Invest.
