The activities of the Sablon Diplomatic Circle

An overview of the activities of the Sablon Diplomatic Circle.

4 July 2025: visit of the UCB site in Braine-l'Alleud

The Sablon Diplomatic Circle, in collaboration with the Economic Interests Department of the SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement, visited the UCB site in Braine-l’Alleud.
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The Sablon Diplomatic Circle, in collaboration with the Economic Interests Department of the SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement, visited the UCB site in Braine-l’Alleud. This was the second activity organized by the Diplomatic Circle. Around thirty diplomats, including 25 foreign ambassadors, gained insights into the biopharmaceutical sector and into UCB, one of the leading companies in this field in Belgium.

The visit also included:

  • The Biotech Pilot Plant, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the small-scale production of biological medicines. This site allows for testing and optimizing manufacturing processes before scaling them up. It plays a key role in bridging laboratory research and clinical trials.
  • The Gene Therapy Facility, a new cutting-edge installation focused on the development and production of gene therapies. It enables the design of innovative treatments that act directly on the genes responsible for certain rare or serious diseases.

Many thanks to Mr. Xavier Hormaechea, Managing Director UCB Belgium, and colleague Joren Kippers for organizing this event together with the Sablon Diplomatic Circle.

Photo of members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, posing in front of a building
Photo of members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, visiting the UCB
Photo of a man addressing members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon in a courtyard
Photo of a man addressing an audience with a microphone in his hand. In the background, two large photos of a woman with a dog.
Photo of members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, sitting in a room listening to a presentation. Large photos hang on the walls.
Photo of members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, sitting in a room listening to a presentation. Large photos hang on the walls.
Photo of members of the Diplomatic Circle of the Sablon, posing in front of a building
Logo du Cercle diplomatique du Sablon

Sablon Diplomatic Circle

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