Patricia Lay, Head of life science & cosmetic projects at Team Côte d’Azur explains why the Côte d’Azur is positioning itself as the gateway for American health science companies entering the European market.
You went to the San Diego BIOCOM event in February on behalf of Team Côte d’Azur, could you explain your reasons for attending the event?
As the economic promotion agency for the Côte d’Azur, Team Côte d’Azur’s work is to promote the region and attract major international enterprises, as well as innovative startups, which are the giants of tomorrow. The San Diego BIOCOM conference plays an essential role in our strategy because it brings to light the latest innovations in the health sciences sector and enables us to meet world renowned researchers and discover technologies so advanced that, just five years ago, were in the realm of science fiction. The format adopted by BIOCOM favors direct exchanges, as much with decision makers as the American researchers, and creates an environment of mutual confidence. At conferences like this one we discover innovation and the future of the health science market, and it is important for Team Côte d’Azur to be in attendance in order to promote the Côte d’Azur and attract these innovative companies.
Could you tell us why American health science companies would be interested in the Côte d’Azur?
The Côte d’Azur’s objective is to become the European hub of health science, and it is well equipped to realize this objective! It has a solid foundation, thanks to the presence of a number of entities and infrastructures that are indispensable to the development of health science companies. We also have incentives that favor research, such as tax credits.
This dense economic fabric represents an advantage for American companies that consider the Côte d’Azur a springboard from which they can invest in the European market. We also value the unique lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur as well as its geography and climate. These advantages present a certain similarity with California, the Côte d’Azur being, in its own right, the European equivalent of California; therefore, it is only logical that it attracts American health science companies.
Is there a reciprocity? Can the Côte d’Azur companies also invest in the USA?
We have been working with our regional SouthBioAlliance partners for several years in order to build the business of health science companies within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and California. This is a work which has already seen significant progress, since we have now built close relationships with the BIOCOM, a group of nearly 750 companies dedicated to health science, and the second biggest cluster in the world. Our companies benefit directly from this relationship since it provides a gateway into California and a whole panel of information services on how to approach the US market and the specific regulations in force there. This is very helpful and provides considerable time savings in when it comes to expansion efforts.
► Learn more about the Health and Life Sciences industry on the Cote d’Azur
