The health sector in Eastern France
As the historical cradle of the pharmaceutical industry and ideally located to reach the main European markets, Eastern France is today a leading player in the field of health.
Key figures
- 50% of the European pharmaceutical industry within a 500 km radius
- 65% of worldwide manufactured orthopaedic implants
- Shanghai Ranking: University of Strasbourg #1 in France for Chemistry and for Human biological science
- 4 renowned University Hospitals
Key Domains in the Health Sector
A unique life science ecosystem
At the heart of a dynamic and cross-border research and innovation ecosystem, Eastern France stands out for its excellence in life sciences — particularly in health, biotechnology, and medical technologies. A large percentage of the region’s researchers are active in these fields, contributing to major scientific and industrial breakthroughs.
From Strasbourg to Reims, via Nancy, Metz, and Mulhouse, the Grand Est is internationally recognized for its strengths in molecular biology, precision medicine, bioengineering, fine chemistry, and minimally invasive surgery. These areas of expertise are supported by world-class institutions, leading laboratories, and a strong clinical network.
The region’s health innovation ecosystem is both collaborative and integrated, structured around a complete value chain that spans:
- Education & talent development (universities, engineering schools, medical faculties),
- Cutting-edge research (public and private research centers, hospitals, and clusters),
- Technology transfer and startup support (SATTs, incubators, tech parks),
- Industrial applications (pharma, medtech, biomanufacturing).
A thriving European Innovation Hub & Business Community
Historic cradle of the health and pharmaceutical industry, Eastern France represents today an important French and European player in the Health sector, with more than 450 companies, major research and training institutes.
International companies have chosen Eastern France to locate several activities:
- Manufacturing: (Pharmaceuticals, bioproduction, prothesis…)
- R&D: relying on the excellence of the region’s research institutes, universities and hospital infrastructure, as well as strong regional and national support tools
- Commercial development: outstanding access to the main European health markets
Eastern France has become home to a major cluster in the health sector and centers of excellence, connecting a dense network of public institutions with its dynamic ecosystem of companies throughout its territory.
BioValley France is a leading European cluster in the health sector, that unites and supports startups, SMEs, large companies, healthcare organizations, research centers, and training institutions across the Grand Est region around the health sector. Its mission is to foster innovative projects, boost the creation of new products and services, and support business growth. BioValley France also plays an active role in driving key structural projects within the health industry.
Quest for Health is one of France’s leading incubator dedicated to health start-ups, currently supporting a pipeline over 60 biotech, medtech, and digital health ventures across the Grand Est region (including Reims, Metz, Épinal, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Charleville-Mézières).
To date, 35 of its start-ups have earned recognition in top national and European competitions such as i-Lab, i-Nov, and the EIC Accelerator. Over the past three years, incubated companies have collectively raised more than €175 million, with an impressive five-year survival rate of 90%.
Technology Transfer Offices : Eastern France hosts three key Technology Transfer Offices: SATT Conectus (Alsace), SATT Sayens (covering Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, and Burgundy), and SATT Nord (active in the Reims area). They support the commercialization of public research, particularly in health and medtech, by funding proof-of-concept projects, securing patents, and facilitating startup creation.
Nextmed Campus: situated within Strasbourg Hospital on over 30 hectares, it brings together doctors, researchers, entrepreneurs and patients to advance healthcare innovation, through digital technologies and AI, integrating patient care, education, research, & development.
Since 2023, the eXplora building has offered 5,000 m² of dedicated space for healthcare businesses, representing the first phase of an ambitious 27,000 m² development aimed at hosting cutting-edge healthtech companies.
Nextmed provides an ideal environment for international companies where researchers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, clinicians interact from initial concept to market launch, including incubation & acceleration stages.
Prothesis Valley : 35% of the world’s orthopedic implants are produced around this hub, making it a pivotal player in the global medical prosthetics industry. Located in Haute-Marne, France, this cluster of companies excels in manufacturing a wide range of medical implants, including knee, hip, and spinal prosthetics.
Leading companies in the medical field have chosen Eastern France
Many companies have chosen Eastern France to set up their production or R&D activities, as the region offers a modern infrastructure and a strategic position at the heart of Europe, close to some of its most dynamic markets. More than 40% of world pharma companies are located in the Upper Rhine Valley, attracting to Eastern France international key players, biotechs, CROs, CDMOs and Start-ups.
Recent success stories: Major companies have invested in their production capacity in Eastern France
Novartis
The biomanufacturing site in Huningue – which produces monoclonal antibodies, which are constituent molecules of biopharmaceuticals – has recently been transformed to adapt its capacity and production flexibility. Representing an investment of nearly 150 million euros, the new production line became operational at the beginning of 2020.
Lilly Laboratories
Lilly Laboratories – specialized in the manufacture of high-value injectable medications – officially announced on October 23, 2024, an investment program of 160 million euros at its Fegersheim site (Bas-Rhin). The site has been chosen to produce “Mounjaro,” a medication for type 2 diabetes that is also being studied for obesity treatment.
Hartmann
HARTMANN – manufacturer of medical and healthcare products like high-quality wound care products, and advanced medical dressings – announced an investment of 25 million euros at its Lièpvre site (Alsace) in 2023. The new production line has been inaugurated in January 2025. The site will produce next-generation hydrocellular dressings, with production aimed at European and North American markets.
Merck
Merck – specialist in biomonitoring, lab water solutions, technical systems for the pharmaceutical industry, and single-use technologies – announced an unprecedented investment of 130 million euros at its Molsheim site (Alsace). The site will produce single-use bags for the pharmaceutical and food industries. The new production building posesses a total of 12 assembly lines and will create 800 new jobs by 2028.
Major companies in Eastern France have invested in R&D recently
Alsachim – Shimadzu Group
Alsachim and Biomaneo merged to become Shimadzu Chemistry & Diagnostics. The new entity inaugurated in April 2025 in Illkirch (Alsace) possess essential technologies for the growth of the group’s clinical liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) activity.
Lonza
Lonza has invested 12.5 million euros in a new research center that will be dedicated to co-innovation in Colmar (Alsace). The production site specializes in the design of capsules for oral and pulmonary administration for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutrition companies.
Orthogrid
Orthogrid has chosen Strasbourg in 2019 to locate its R&D center dedicated to AI guided orthopedic surgery.
Transgene & NEC
Transgene and NEC – specialized in developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer treatment – announced in November 2024 promising results showing that their personalized cancer vaccine TG4050, powered by AI, kept all treated head and neck cancer patients disease-free, highlighting its potential to prevent relapse.
Major Research institutes in the region
Numerous laboratories and research institutes across Eastern France offer cutting-edge facilities and expertise to support innovation in health, biotech, and medtech. These R&D centers collaborate actively with local businesses and startups across a wide range of specialties:
Surgical Robotics – Minimally Invasive Surgery-AI
- IRCAD (Strasbourg): World leader in image-guided and robotic surgery
- IHU Strasbourg: Institute of Image-Guided Surgery, clinical and translational research
- CHU de Nancy – Pôle de Chirurgie Innovante: Research in minimally invasive procedures and surgical simulation
Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology
- IGBMC (Illkirch): International leader in molecular genetics and cell biology
- IBMC (Strasbourg): RNA biology, virology, microbiology
- MEDyC – UMR CNRS 7369 (Reims): Matrix biology and cell signaling
- UMR 7365 IMoPA (Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire) (Nancy): Molecular mechanisms of disease, inflammation, joint biology
Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences
- ISIS – Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (Strasbourg): Supramolecular chemistry and nanosciences
- Institut Jean Barriol (Nancy): Chemistry, pharmaceutical applications
- ICMR – Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de Reims: Organic and biomolecular chemistry
- Laboratoire L2N (Troyes): Nanotechnology and microfluidics for biosensing and health applications
Neurosciences
- INCI – Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (Strasbourg)
- NEUREX (Strasbourg–Basel–Freiburg): Cross-border neuroscience network
- UMR 7364 LCPME (Nancy): Research on neuroactive compounds and interactions with microbiota
- CReSTIC (Troyes): Cognitive science, signal processing, and neurotechnologies
Biomedicine & Translational Research
- CRBS – Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg
- CHU de Reims – Plateforme CRB Toxoplasma & Cytométrie Mobicyte: Clinical and translational biomedical research
- LIEU & Biopôle de Brabois (Nancy): Hub for biomedical startups and translational research
- URCA – SFR Cap Santé (Reims): Interdisciplinary research in biomedicine and public health
- IHU Infiny- IBD : University Hospital Institute (IHU) dedicated to accelerating medical innovation in the fight against Chronic Inflammatory Bowel diseases (IBD) and improve patients’ quality of life.
Biomaterials & Nanomaterials
- Institut Charles Sadron (Strasbourg): Polymers and biointerfaces
- IS2M – Institut des Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse: Functional biomaterials
- Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy/Metz): Materials for health and nanobiotechnologies
- UTT – Laboratoire LASMIS (Troyes): Biomechanics and materials for prosthetics and implants
Robotics, Imaging & Digital Health
- ICube (Strasbourg): Robotics, imaging, computer vision, e-health
- LORIA (Nancy): AI, medical image analysis, e-health applications
- CHRU de Nancy – SIMED: Medical simulation and 3D imaging for training and diagnostics
- UTT – Tech-CICO & CREIDD (Troyes): Human-centered design, cyber-physical systems for healthcare
Medical Devices & Health Engineering
- GEPROMED (Strasbourg): Testing, design, and validation of medical devices
- Pôle Santé de Brabois (Nancy): Innovation in hospital engineering and medical technologies
- Troyes Technopole – Hacking Health Troyes: Innovation accelerator for digital and connected medical devices
Eastern France – A dense ecosystem of Hospitals & Clinics
Eastern France benefits from exceptional infrastructure throughout its entire territory. It is home to numerous high-tech platforms, several of the most modern hospitals in France.
Eastern France is home to 4 major public university hospitals in Nancy, Strasbourg, Metz and Reims, considered as real Research & Training centers :
University Hospital Center (CHU) – Strasbourg
The CHU of Strasbourg is a premier healthcare institution known for its innovation and research excellence.
The CHU of Strasbourg is at the forefront of medical research, collaborating with renowned institutions such as INSERM and CNRS.
It is a leader in developing advanced medical technologies and treatments, including robotic surgery and precision medicine. The hospital’s training center, affiliated with the University of Strasbourg, offers comprehensive education in various medical fields.
Regional University Hospital (CHRU) – Nancy
The CHRU of Nancy is one of France’s largest hospitals, and is recognized for its medical excellence. It is equipped with two advanced surgical robots, which are used for various types of surgeries, including urology, digestive surgery, cardiac surgery, endocrine surgery, and ENT. These robots enable precise and minimally invasive procedures, leading to faster recovery times and reduced post-operative pain for patients.
Regional Hospital Center (CHR) – Metz-Thionville
The CHR Metz-Thionville is recognized as the most important healthcare facility in Mosel offers a comprehensive range of services and has a significant focus on cardiovascular care (including cardiology, cardiac and vascular surgery, and interventional cardiology).
University Hospital Center (CHU) – Reims
The CHU of Reims is a major healthcare institution. With 15 activity centers and nearly 60 services, the CHU of Reims plays a crucial role in medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and dental education and research, collaborating with INSERM and CNRS units. The training center includes a midwifery school and is affiliated with the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne.
Eastern France – The heart of tomorrow’s medical Research
International training institutions
IRCAD
🚧Work in progress
EASE
🚧 Work in Progress
Health and IA
DIAMS Platform (IHU)
- Platform that supports companies in defining and implementing their innovation strategies.
- Support them in all the challenges of an AI/Health Data project;
- Has been awarded the BE-EST Filière d’Avenir label.
Surgical Data Science at IRCAD
- Surgical Data Science (SDS) is about improving outcomes of surgery with AI-based software systems driven by clinical data;
- They aim to improve the training and capabilities of surgical teams with SDS, to reduce complications, make surgery easier and safer, and achieve better patient outcomes.
ENACT project
- Aims to make Eastern France a European leader in artificial intelligence.
- One of the project’s axes is digital health: Provide better support to patients, doctors and medical staff throughout the patient journey.
Health & Space
🚧 Work in Progress
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