The University of Montpellier celebrates its innovative talent and signs a strategic agreement to boost scientific entrepreneurship

[Press Release] - Published on July 9, 2025 in Press Room, University Innovation Hub (PUI)

The University of Montpellier’s “Innovation 2025 Afterwork” event took place on Tuesday, July 8, at the Orangery in the Jardin des Plantes, attended by Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier and President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole; Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier; and Philippe Combette, Vice President for Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Montpellier.
This flagship event once again honored the innovators from the university community, with a particular focus on students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers—the true driving forces behind the region’s entrepreneurial momentum.

Seven awards to recognize high-impact projects

The evening featured the presentation of seven innovation awards recognizing promising scientific and technological initiatives led by researchers, Professors, faculty members, and aspiring entrepreneurs:

Innovation Award – Chemistry Cluster: Gilles Subra

For the ANR Sicle.e industrial research chair, which is developing a method for tanning leather using silicic acid, enabling an innovative way to repurpose leather waste, particularly for the benefit of the agricultural sector. The project is led by IBMM, ICGM, and the BioWooEB unit.
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Innovation Award – Agriculture, Environment, and Biodiversity Cluster: William Arditi

Scanorhize is a revolutionary underground sensor that allows users to visualize root dynamics in the soil without excavation, supporting sustainable agriculture. The startup Humeos will market the product.
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Innovation Award – Health and Biology: Eric Kremer

For the CAVisca project, an innovative gene-based approach to treat Dravet syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy. A startup is currently being developed.

Innovation Award – Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Systems: Kévin Yauy

For DocSimulator, a platform that uses generative AI to train healthcare students through simulated virtual patients, promoting the development of medical and interpersonal skills.

Innovation Award – Social Sciences: Sandrine Grenier

For the YouTube channel "Droit dans l’objectif," which offers a fun, story-driven exploration of the law through short and medium-length films, providing a fresh educational approach to justice.
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Special Jury Prize: Magali Taulan-Cadars

For the treatment of cystic fibrosis using an innovative dual-therapy inhalation regimen combining DNA and peptides, currently being developed by the startup Aceso Therapeutics, which originated from the PhyMedExp laboratory.

Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole "Coup de Coeur" Award: Aurélie Perrin

For a solution that encapsulates biological agents in natural polymers, intended to replace pesticides in agriculture through a biological strategy using targeted predatory worms. A startup is expected to be launched by the end of 2025.

During the evening, Philippe Combette, Vice President for Innovation and Partnerships at the University of Montpellier, alongside Agnès Fichard-Carroll, Vice President for Education and Campus Life, presented the initiatives led by the University of Montpellier—the lead institution of the University Innovation Cluster (PUI)—for students wishing to engage in innovation initiatives: PhD Innovation Week, national student-entrepreneur status, and junior consultant training, among others.

The roundtable discussion, moderated by Logan Chevret (a PhD student at ICGM and former participant in PhD Innovation Week), Yannig Lepecq (a Master’s 2 student currently in the pre-incubation phase at Initium), Kate Rivière (head of the Initium incubator), and Pascal Giat (CIFRE department head at the National Association Research – ANRT), provided an opportunity to exchange feedback and insights on the support mechanisms available at each stage of the innovation journey.

A strategic partnership to strengthen the innovation ecosystem

The evening concluded with a highlight: the official signing of a partnership agreement between the University of Montpellier, SATT AxLR, and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. This partnership marks a new step in building a cohesive and effective ecosystem centered on scientific innovation. The three signatories are joining forces to support project leaders, promote the results of public research, and foster the emergence of high-impact startups.

This agreement aims to provide a clear, transparent, and coordinated framework that harnesses the expertise of various stakeholders to promote the region’s economic development. It is fully aligned with the goals of the Montpellier University Innovation Hub, which spearheads UM’s innovation strategy.

Keywords: Innovation