The pharmaceutical sector is among those that invest the most in research.

France, which is home to 22,000 researchers and where over €4.9 billion was invested in research in 2008, is a hotbed of innovation. Training is an important factor, and the French higher education system produces over 18,000 highly qualified graduates every year. The research conducted is both academic and commercial.

 

The network of biotechnology companies in France is still as dynamic as ever, and includes companies that are global leaders in their niche markets and are expanding internationally (BioAlliance, Nicox, ExonHit, etc.).

 

Public-private partnerships are the cornerstone of development in this industry and involve a broad spectrum of participants including major international corporations, SMEs, start-ups and academic research laboratories. The hospital network is not to be outdone either. France has the most extensive hospital network in Europe, which includes, most notably, the AP-HP (the public hospital system of the city of Paris and its suburbs).

 

These partnerships would not be possible without a top-quality academic research environment. The network is dense, and includes internationally acclaimed research organizations (such as Inserm, CERN, CEA, Inra, Ifremer and IRD), leading research institutes (Institut Pasteur and Institut Curie), universities and engineering schools. The Alliance des sciences de la vie (National Alliance for Health and Life Sciences) was created to organize research teams according to strategic themes and to  strengthen the position of French research on the world stage.

 

Such partnerships are strongly encouraged, and benefit from straightforward and solid support mechanisms and structures: an R&D tax credit scheme that is recognized as the best in Europe, and a network of innovation clusters. France is also renowned for the quality of its medical professionals. As such, 8% of the patients recruited for major international clinical trials come from France, compared with 13% from the United States and 18% from eastern European countries.

 

Click here for a list of companies and organizations from France attending BIO.