The University of Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospital have strengthened their joint dynamic
On September 2, the Nîmes university hospital community gathered for an after-work event with Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier, Frédéric Rimattei, director general of the Nîmes University Hospital, and Michel Prudhomme, president of the medical commission of the Nîmes University Hospital. The event was an opportunity to highlight the joint dynamic that the two institutions have been pursuing for several years in the areas of research and innovation, in the presence of Véronique Dominguez-Guillaumel, deputy rector for higher education, research, and innovation for the Occitanie academic region.
For many years, the University of Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospital have joined forces to combine academic excellence and medical innovation. Their partnership is particularly evident through the I-Site and the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI), of which the University Hospital is a founding member.
The after-work event highlighted this dynamic through the presentation of the CHU's innovation strategy and three flagship projects carried out as part of the PUI. The evening concluded with the launch of a new joint call for projects in translational research.
Encouraging new ideas
The Nîmes University Hospital has reiterated its commitment to promoting and supporting new ideas, whether technological, medical, or organizational, in order to improve the quality of care and enhance its appeal. With more than €3.5 million invested each year and research areas ranging from neuroscience to oncology, the institution is actively integrated into the regional academic and scientific ecosystem.
This strategy is part of the PARI 2030 program, which is a real driver of university hospital influence and socioeconomic development for the region.
Coordinated by the University of Montpellier, the University Innovation Cluster brings together 14 founding members. It encourages collaboration with the socio-economic world, technology transfer, and the creation of start-ups. With its 5,000 researchers and 350 annual partnerships, it is a driving force for innovation in the Montpellier–Nîmes area.
Three innovative projects presented
Three projects supported by the PUI illustrated the synergy between academic research and clinical needs:
- PEASY: an innovative medical device for managing male urinary incontinence, led by Xavier Garric.
- 3D4 PEDIA: a pediatric pharmaceutical 3D printing project led by Ian Soulairol in partnership with MB Therapeutics.
- DM CONNECT: a digital platform to improve the coordination of care pathways, developed by Laure Roux.
All three benefited from funding through PUI initiatives such as Booster Innovation Montpellier and Companies and Campus.
A new call for projects
Finally, the event marked the launch of a call for " Research " projects, jointly funded by the University of Montpellier and the Nîmes University Hospital to the tune of €100,000. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between researchers, clinicians, and manufacturers, and to accelerate the transition from basic research to concrete clinical applications.
For Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier, " this joint initiative illustrates our ambition: to work together to build a center of excellence in health at the European level."