World First: A Translational Center of Excellence Dedicated to Innovation in the Fight Against Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases Is Established in Montpellier
On Thursday, October 15, 2025, in Montpellier, the Immun4Cure IHU, the University Hospital (CHU), the University of Montpellier, Inserm, and Sanofi officially announced a major strategic partnership with an initial term of five years. This partnership will lead to 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 delivery of new therapeutic solutions for patients.
A partnership to bridge the gap between research, clinical practice, and industry
The goal of this new center is to put scientific research to work for 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,
- Leverage technological and scientific synergies to advance precision medicine and enhance translational research,
- To make Montpellier an internationally recognized center of excellence in the fight against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases,
- To stimulate innovation and the local economy by creating new industrial and partnership opportunities,
- To train and attract new talent, while fostering a culture of innovation dedicated to the future of healthcare.
Complementary expertise to serve patients
Sanofi is leveraging its expertise in early-stage drug development, its research and experimental platforms, its regulatory and clinical expertise, and its capabilities in developing small molecules and biologics, all 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 the IHU Immun4Cure is to transform scientific excellence into tangible 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 transition to clinical use for the benefit of patients.”
Prof. Christian Jorgensen, Director of the IHU Immun4Cure
“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to bringing together Immun4Cure’s academic and hospital-based excellence with Sanofi’s innovation and development capabilities. As a long-standing player and leader in France’s healthcare ecosystem, we are creating a unique synergy by combining 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 to accelerate the development of new therapies for autoimmune diseases, benefiting patients worldwide.”
Yves Jacob, Head of R&D for France, Sanofi
“The Montpellier University Hospital is particularly proud of the establishment of this partnership between our Immun4Cure Interuniversity Research Unit (IHU) and SANOFI, a global company that already has research and development facilities in Montpellier. This partnership of excellence between the public and private sectors will strengthen our synergies in several areas, particularly by fostering collaborative projects to improve patient care at the Montpellier University Hospital and throughout our region, while leveraging the IHU’s strengths in research and clinical expertise. We also look forward to working together on the development of AI to accelerate the transformation of our healthcare system. The signing of this partnership marks the beginning of a wonderful journey of research and innovation! ”
Anne Ferrer, Director of the Montpellier University Hospital
“As the overseeing body of 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 project’s inception, aims to transform scientific research on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases into concrete solutions for patients. This Center of Translational Excellence is fully aligned with this ambition and demonstrates the strength of cooperation among France’s leading healthcare stakeholders. It also helps reinforce Montpellier’s recognized position as a national and international hub of excellence in the field of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and will serve as a powerful magnet for attracting top scientific talent.”
Didier Samuel, President and CEO of Inserm
“The University of Montpellier welcomes this landmark partnership between IHU Immun4Cure and Sanofi. It perfectly illustrates the drive toward scientific excellence and innovation that makes Montpellier a leading center for healthcare. This project will not only accelerate the transition from fundamental discoveries to concrete therapeutic solutions, but also enhance our university’s international appeal and visibility. It is a unique opportunity for everyone to work closely with patients’ needs and help shape the future of medicine.”
Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier