World first: creation in Montpellier of a translational center of excellence dedicated to innovation in the fight against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
On Thursday, October 15, 2025, in Montpellier, Immun4Cure, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier University, Inserm, and Sanofi formalized a major strategic partnership for an initial period of five years. This partnership will enable the creation of the first translational center of excellence entirely dedicated to accelerating Research development in the field of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its mission is to bring together academic research, clinical expertise, and industrial innovation in order to accelerate the availability of new therapeutic solutions for patients.
An alliance to bring research, clinical practice, and industry closer together
The aim of this new center is to put scientific research at the service of patients by bringing together discoveries from laboratories, clinical expertise, and industrial innovation.
It aims in particular to:
- Promoting patient-centered proof of concept in early clinical development,
- Leveraging technological and scientific synergies to advance precision medicine and enrich translational research,
- Make Montpellier an international center of excellence in the fight against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
- Stimulate innovation and the local economy by creating new industrial and partnership opportunities.
- Training and attracting new talent, while strengthening a culture of innovation to serve the healthcare needs of tomorrow.
Complementary expertise at the service of patients
Sanofi is mobilizing its expertise in early drug development, its research and testing platforms, its regulatory and clinical skills, and its capabilities in developing small molecules and biologics, supported by advanced digital tools. The Immun4Cure IHU will provide unique patient cohorts, infrastructure for collecting and analyzing biological samples, integrated databases, AI tools, and promising new therapeutic avenues to better understand diseases and optimize clinical trials.
"The mission of IHU Immun4Cure is to transform scientific excellence into concrete advances for patients. This partnership with Sanofi allows us to take a new step forward by combining academic, clinical, and industrial expertise. Together, we are building a joint IHU–Sanofi team to identify new therapeutic targets and accelerate their clinical transfer for the benefit of patients."
Prof. Christian Jorgensen, Director of the Immun4Cure Institute for Research and Treatment of Immunology
"This partnership illustrates our desire to combine Immun4Cure's academic and hospital excellence with Sanofi's innovation and development capabilities. As a long-standing player and leader in the French healthcare ecosystem, we are creating a unique dynamic by bringing together translational and clinical research, access to technology platforms, investment opportunities, and talent development. This strategic alliance strengthens our position as a catalyst for innovation in the French healthcare system and creates the optimal conditions for accelerating the arrival of new therapies in the field of autoimmune diseases, benefiting patients around the world. "
Yves Jacob, Head of R&D France, Sanofi
" Montpellier University Hospital is particularly proud of the establishment of this partnership between our Immun4Cure IHU and SANOFI, an international company that already has research and development facilities in Montpellier. This outstanding public-private partnership will strengthen our synergies in several areas, in particular by generating collaborative projects to improve patient care at Montpellier University Hospital and in our regions, leveraging the IHU's strengths in research and clinical expertise. We also wish to work together on the development of AI to accelerate the transformation of our healthcare system. The signing of this partnership is the beginning of a great story of research and innovation! "
Anne Ferrer, Director of Montpellier University Hospital
" As the supervisory authority for the Immun4Cure IHU, Inserm welcomes this strategic partnership with Sanofi, a long-standing partner of our institution on several major projects. Immun4Cure's roadmap, defined at the outset of the project, aims to transform scientific research on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases into concrete solutions for patients. This Center of Translational Excellence is fully in line with this ambition and illustrates the strength of cooperation between the main French players in the health sector. It also contributes to strengthening Montpellier's recognized position as a national and international center of excellence in the field of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and will be a strong draw for attracting the best scientific talent."
Didier Samuel, President and CEO of Inserm
"The University of Montpellier welcomes this transformative partnership between IHU Immun4Cure and Sanofi. It perfectly illustrates the dynamic of scientific excellence and innovation that makes Montpellier a leading region in healthcare. This project will not only accelerate the transition from fundamental discoveries to concrete therapeutic solutions, but also enhance the attractiveness and international visibility of our university. It is a unique opportunity for everyone to work closely with patients' needs and help shape the medicine of tomorrow."
Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier