Research and Development Centre in Belgium

Baxter R&D Europe is one of Baxter’s International European research sites. The Center was established in Nivelles in the Walloon Region of Belgium in 1978 and works closely with Baxter’s manufacturing plant situated in nearby Lessines, as well as with the other European plants. Operating from the heart of Europe, the Center employs a multidisciplinary group of scientists, engineers and technicians from many different backgrounds and countries, supported by administrative services.

The Center's mission is to support Baxter’s commitment to healthcare by delivering new products to the medical community within its areas of competence and to increase Baxter’s technology base by acting as a window on European science and technology.

The Center focuses its activities on new product and process developments essentially for Renal, Medication Delivery and BioScience Businesses and ensures technical support for products currently on the market.

Baxter R&D Europe is unique in that its activities cover all stages of a product’s life cycle, from conception to registration. Research and development activities are conducted in multifunctional teams in close collaboration with the European Marketing, Manufacturing, Medical & Clinical Affairs and Regulatory Affairs groups. In addition, the Center works with hospitals and patients to understand customer needs and to develop products that can best match their expectations. To stay abreast of technological developments, the Center conducts joint research with leading European universities and research organisations. Since its creation, the Center has taken leadership for the idea generation and the ultimate development of leading Baxter products. In line with its legacy, the Center continues to seek and launch innovative products.

Innovations over the years have expanded from products such as premixed drugs in Minibag and Viaflex and Twin Bags for peritoneal dialysis treatment to more sophisticated solutions and devices. Some examples of products where the Centre’s contribution was significant include:

• Peritoneal dialysis solution, which was launched some 10 years ago and is for use in the long (8- to 16-hour) dwell. When compared to 4.25% dextrose, this PD solution can improve ultrafiltration and clearance of creatinine and urea nitrogen.
• Another PD solution used in Complete Renal Replacement Therapy, a 100% bicarbonate buffer solution at physiological pH, completely lactate free. It is contained in a 2.5 liter, dual chamber bag. The final solution is obtained by mixing the concentrate after breaking of the inter frangible seal.
• The triple-chamber bag for parenteral nutrition composed of amino acids, lipid emulsion and glucose. Keeping the three principal ingredients separate until the moment of use increases the stability of the product.
• Non-PVC containers for intravenous solutions and renal therapy.
• A device for the safe reconstitution and delivery of cytotoxics.
• A bone substitute product to promote bone growth in large bone defects.

In addition to projects undertaken specifically for the divisions, the Center's core competencies cover a large range of technical and scientific services, such as biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, histology, pharmaceutical sciences, materials technology, analytical chemistry, electron microscopy, and several engineering specialities.

Baxter R&D Europe adheres to strict norms and procedures as applied by internal and external agencies. The Center received its original ISO 9001 certification from the TÜV in 1994 and was recently recertified as ISO 9001:2000. In early 2005, the Center was certified ISO 13485:2003 for Medical Devices, qualifying it as a medical device design center. In addition, the Center is certified as ISO 14001 Environment and EN ISO 14155: Clinical Investigations of Medical Devices.