(Boursier.com) — Sofinnova Partners (“Sofinnova”), a leading venture capital company in Europe specializing in life sciences and based in Paris, London and Milan, Gustave Roussy, the leading cancer center in Europe , fourth in the world, today announce a strategic collaboration within the framework of Sofinnova Biovelocita, the first pan-European investment strategy dedicated to the creation and acceleration of biotechnology startups.
This alliance will accelerate startups resulting from Gustave Roussy’s scientific and medical research, by combining the unique skills of each in order to channel and stimulate the growth of innovative biotechs in oncology. Drawing on Gustave Roussy’s cutting-edge expertise in cancer research and Sofinnova’s incomparable know-how in business creation, the partnership’s mission is to generate a strong ecosystem for startups.
Graziano Seghezzi, Managing Partner of Sofinnova Partners, declared: “Gustave Roussy is a reference in oncology in Europe which fits perfectly with Sofinnova Biovelocita, our new biotechnology acceleration strategy. This alliance reaffirms our commitment to promoting a biotech ecosystem flourishing in France.
Professor Fabrice Barlesi, Managing Director of Gustave Roussy and CEO of Gustave Roussy Transfert, indicates: “Gustave Roussy and Sofinnova will work hand in hand to invest in projects focused on the discovery and development of new molecules and innovative technologies, carried out or initiated by Gustave Roussy. We are delighted to be able to combine the expertise of Sofinnova in terms of accelerating biotechs, and that of Gustave Roussy Transfert in terms of sourcing and supporting innovations from the Gustave Roussy community. Together, we create an environment conducive to smooth and accelerated innovation transfer that will help redefine standards of care for patients globally.”
The Sofinnova Biovelocita strategy applies a unique innovation model entirely dedicated to the creation and acceleration of biotechnology startups in Europe. It stands out for the quality of the research organizations with which it collaborates, the experience and the level of competence of its Partners who not only finance but also take operational orders for the companies supported. The Sofinnova Biovelocita team will collaborate closely with the most prestigious universities and research organizations in Europe in order to identify the most promising scientific discoveries.
Since its creation in 2000, Gustave Roussy Transfert, the development subsidiary of Gustave Roussy, has supported all of the entrepreneurial initiatives carried out by the Institute. The development subsidiary now holds 15 holdings in fields as varied as biotechnologies, artificial intelligence, and even nuclear medicine. As an operator, Gustave Roussy Transfert aims to create and support one to two new oncology startups per year for the next 5 years. A first project sourced by Gustave Roussy Transfert and presented to Sofinnova Biovelocita should soon pass through the Investment Committee, for a first company creation planned for early 2024.