Team Nice Côte d’Azur celebrated a successful edition of “Unlocking Life Sciences Opportunities in the South of France,” held on April 23rd at EDHEC Business School, Nice.
The event brought together around 60 participants from around the world, including industry leaders, investors, researchers, and institutional representatives.
Over the course of the afternoon, attendees engaged in panel discussions and networking sessions.
The event opened with remarks from Loick Menvielle (EDHEC Business School), who positioned the region as a true convergence point for education, innovation, business, and economic development — setting the tone for a day of cross-sector dialogue.
The first panel, moderated by Gaelle Youssef (Nucleate), explored the dynamics of innovation in the region
- Franck Nassiri (EDHEC Business School, ex-NVIDIA) emphasized the need for collaboration between engineers, data scientists, and business leaders. “You need real platforms and initiatives where these groups can work together in practice,” he said.
- Estelle Martinez (GCS CARES) presented the regional health data warehouse being developed in the Alpes-Maritimes — a vital infrastructure for research and care innovation. She discussed the challenges of aligning diverse stakeholders and the major opportunities this project offers for startups and public-private partnerships.
- Jorgen Hansen (Caranx Medical) shared the journey of building a medtech startup at the intersection of engineering and clinical insight, describing the experience as “navigating through the jungle.” While he praised the support from local actors, he also called for more structured resources for early-stage companies.
In a concise session, Bastien Bernard (ASKESIS) shared insights on how to turn scientific breakthroughs into investor-ready ventures. He highlighted the importance of strategic funding and clear storytelling to attract investors and accelerate the commercialization of life sciences innovations.
The second panel, which included organizations that are already set up or willing to invest in Côte d’Azur, was moderated by Stéphane Milot (Biomunex Pharmaceuticals & Bio4ward) and focused on attracting international investment:
- Ayah Hamdan (Plug and Play) offered concrete strategies for life sciences startups to gain visibility and credibility with global investors. “The science is strong here — now it’s about structuring the offer and reaching beyond borders,” she noted.
- Alex Garcia (Orbyn) provided insights from the investor’s perspective: “The South ofFrance has great talent and research, but we need well-packaged, globally-minded ventures with clear growth strategies.”
- Caroline de Mareüil-Villette (ICOSA) highlighted the essential role of intellectual property: “A solid IP strategy, built with international expansion in mind, makes startups more investable and globally competitive.”
In her closing remarks, Sana Bouyahia (Team Nice Côte d’Azur) emphasized the growing opportunities for investors in the South of France’s life sciences sector. She encouraged stakeholders to seize the region’s potential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth, underscoring its strategic positioning in Europe.
The event was organized in collaboration with SIC Venture Studio, Université Côte d’Azur, Ulysseus European University, Eurobiomed, Chair of Management in Innovative Health at EDHEC Business School, and supported by risingSUD.
This first edition of the event reinforced the role of Nice Côte d’Azur as a hub for Life Sciences, showcasing its dynamic ecosystem and investment-ready opportunities.
