Biocitech life science park boosts scientific score in 2008

Biocitech residents further improve performance with 34 patents applied for, six new proofs of concept, seven pre-clinical trials and two clinical trials under way, 18 major scientific advances and a wide range of publications and scientific presentations

05-May-2009 - France

Biocitech, the Paris life science technology park, posted 2008 results showing a significant improvement in indicators of scientific excellence. A notable achievement was the clear growth in the number of patent applications by the park's 23 residents compared to near-stagnation in patent applications across the whole of France.

Biocitech residents applied for 34 patents in 2008, up more than 13 per cent on 2007. Nationally, patent applications grew only 1.6 per cent (12,308 in 2008 compared with 12,113 in 2007 - source Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle, INPI).

Other key breakthroughs came in 6 successful proofs of concept, seven pre-clinical trials, 2 entries into Phase II, and what can be termed 18 major scientific advances. Inter-company partnerships also prospered in 2008 resulting in 27 agreements with companies outside the park, and 17 new partnerships between residents, showing once again the real synergies generated by being on the Biocitech campus.

After the unprecedented EUR 100 million funds raised by residents in 2007, last year saw more than EUR 41 million raised including EUR 28.7 million in private equity and EUR 12.5 million in grants or other aid from public sector sources such as the Oseo innovation agency. Total funds raised by park residents since 2003 have now reached EUR 341 million.

Biocitech continued its development with the installation of three new companies on the campus. These were Chem-X-Infinity, Pherecydes Pharma and Spectralys Innovation. These new arrivals strengthen Biocitech's chemical and consultancy expertise as well as its anti-infectious base. The park now employs 550 on the site.

Further signs of a dynamic scientific community came in the publication of 18 scientific articles (nearly double the 2007 total). Playing a full part in the international life science congress scene, Biocitech residents made 57 presentations at international conferences, another major advance compared to the 17 occurring in 2007.

"Biocitech has now achieved real recognition as an innovative concept at the leading edge of life science research," said Biocitech CEO, Jacques Lhomel. "Our residents demonstrate the ability to make sustained technological and scientific progress and I am extremely confident about the future of the site. We all know that the current economic environment is difficult but the excellent results from 2008 and the arrival of three new residents are extremely healthy signs as we finalize plans in the next few weeks for the next stage of our development, the doubling of the surface available for residents."

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/100446/biocitech-life-science-park-boosts-scientific-score-in-2008.html