A world first: a Center of Translational Excellence dedicated to innovation in the fight against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases is created in Montpellier.

On Thursday, October 15, 2025 in Montpellier, the Immun4Cure IHU, the CHU, the University of Montpellier, Inserm and Sanofi today formalized a major strategic partnership for an initial period of 5 years. This partnership will enable the creation of the first translational Center of Excellence entirely dedicated to accelerating Research and Development in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Its vocation: to bring together academic research, clinical expertise and industrial innovation, in order to accelerate the delivery of new therapeutic solutions to patients.

An alliance to bring together research, clinical care and industry

The aim of this new center is to put scientific research at the service of patients, by bringing together laboratory discoveries, clinical expertise and industrial innovation.

In particular, it aims to :

  • Promote patient-centered proof-of-concept in early clinical development,
  • Exploit technological and scientific synergies to advance precision medicine and enrich translational research,
  • Make Montpellier an international reference in the fight against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases,
  • Stimulate innovation and the local economy, by creating new industrial and partnership opportunities,
  • Train and attract new talent, while reinforcing a culture of innovation at the service of tomorrow's healthcare.

Complementary expertise to serve patients

Sanofi is mobilizing its expertise in early drug development, its research and experimental platforms, its regulatory and clinical skills, and its capabilities in developing small molecules and biomedicines, supported by advanced digital tools. The Immun4Cure IHU will provide unique patient cohorts, infrastructures for collecting and analyzing biological samples, integrated databases, AI tools, as well as promising new therapeutic avenues, to better understand diseases and optimize clinical trials.

"The mission of the Immun4Cure IHU is to transform scientific excellence into concrete advances for patients. This partnership with Sanofi enables us to take a new step 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 IHU Immun4Cure

" This partnership illustrates our desire to bring together 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 technological 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 to accelerate the arrival of new therapies in the field of autoimmune diseases, for the benefit of patients worldwide. "

Yves Jacob, Head of R&D France, Sanofi 

" Montpellier University Hospital is particularly proud of this partnership between our Immun4Cure IHU and SANOFI, a world-class company which already has research and development facilities in Montpellier. This partnership of excellence between the public and private sectors will enable us to strengthen our synergies in several directions, in particular by generating collaborative projects to improve patient care at Montpellier University Hospital and in the surrounding area, by capitalizing on the IHU's strengths in terms of research and clinical expertise. We also want to work together on the development of AI to accelerate the transformation of our healthcare system. The signing of this partnership is the start of a wonderful story of research and innovation! "

Anne Ferrer, Director of Montpellier University Hospital

" As supervisor of the Immun4Cure IHU, Inserm is delighted with this strategic partnership with Sanofi, our institution's long-standing partner 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 France's leading healthcare players. It will also help reinforce Montpellier's recognized position as a national and international reference center in the field of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and will be a strong draw for attracting the best scientific talent."

Didier Samuel, Chairman and CEO of Inserm

"The University of Montpellier is delighted with this structuring partnership between the Immun4Cure IHU and Sanofi. It is a perfect illustration of the dynamic of scientific excellence and innovation that has made Montpellier a benchmark region for healthcare. Not only will this project accelerate the transition from fundamental discoveries to concrete therapeutic solutions, it will also boost the attractiveness and international visibility of our university. It's a unique opportunity for all of us to work as closely as possible to the needs of patients, and to help shape the medicine of tomorrow.

Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier