Van Bael & Bellis celebrate court win enabled by Pro Bono programme

• 05/07/2019
• News

On 2 July 2019, Van Bael & Bellis hosted five-year-old Valentina Grimaldi and her parents at a cocktail in the firm’s office to celebrate the Court order won last week by Van Bael & Bellis lawyers, Catherine Longeval and Thibaut D’hulst. The circumstances giving rise to the Court order are detailed in our news item of last week, which, in essence, means that Valentina will continue to be supplied with the life-changing drug Vimizim® free of charge until it becomes available, for instance, through reimbursement.

The cocktail took place in an air of celebration and gratitude: everyone was delighted with the win. Van Bael & Bellis managing partner Philippe De Baere delivered an introductory speech explaining the case and highlighting the firm’s Pro Bono programme which had enabled Catherine Longeval and Thibaut D’hulst to assist the Grimaldi family.

Valentina’s mother warmly thanked Thibaut and Catherine for their work and also described in stark terms how access to the orphan medicine Vimizim® was life-changing for their daughter: how initially Valentina could not walk, go to school or play sport, but that now she can do all of those things. Valentina received a selection of children’s books, and in return, presented chocolates to Thibaut and Cathy. It was, all agreed, a most satisfactory outcome.