Science Park Increases Scientific Score

Biocitech, the Paris life science technology park has published its 2008 results which show a significant improvement in indicators of scientific excellence.

The number of patent applications by the park’s 23 residents - 34 made during last year – was 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*).

Other key breakthroughs listed were six successful proofs of concept, seven pre-clinical trials, two entries into Phase II, and 18 major scientific advances. Inter-company partnerships also prospered in resulting in 27 agreements with companies outside the park, and 17 new partnerships between residents, showing the real synergies generated by being on 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-XInfinity, 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). Presentations at international conferences, also rose from 17 in 2007, to 57 last year.

"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."

* - source Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle, INPI).