Research Innovation: A Collaborative Effort Between the University of Montpellier and Nîmes University Hospital

[Press Release] - Published on September 8, 2025 in Press Room, Highlights

On Tuesday, September 2, an after-work gathering brought together the Nîmes university hospital community around Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier; Frédéric Rimattei, Director General of the Nîmes University Hospital; and Michel Prudhomme, Chair of the Nîmes University Hospital’s Medical Board, in the presence of Véronique Dominguez-Guillaumel, Deputy Rector for Higher Education, Research Innovation for the Occitanie Academic Region, to discuss the shared momentum between the two institutions.

For many years, the Nîmes University Hospital and the University of Montpellier have shared a common goal: to combine academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and medical innovation. This partnership is exemplified in particular by the I-SITE and the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI), of which the Nîmes University Hospital is a founding member.

This event highlighted this shared momentum by presenting the innovation strategy of the Nîmes University Hospital and the University of Montpellier through three flagship projects of the University Innovation Hub, led by the University Hospital. Following the presentations, a new joint call for projects in translational research aimed at further strengthening the innovation dynamic to benefit patients, healthcare providers, and society was officially launched.

The Innovation Strategy of the Nîmes University Hospital

The Nîmes University Hospital’s innovation strategy aims to foster, support, and disseminate new ideas—whether technological, medical, or organizational—to improve patient care, optimize resources, and enhance the institution’s appeal. This approach is driven by two key elements: internal initiatives led by staff teams and external collaborations with academic partners, industry partners, and startups. A structured process, including a one-stop shop and support for project leaders, enables these ideas to be transformed into solutions tailored to the needs of patients, CHU professionals, and its partners.

The research strategy is organized around five strategic areas (Infections and Immune Disorders, Neurosciences, Health Data, Critical Care, and Oncology) and relies on innovative research platforms to develop the personalized medicine of the future. With an annual investment of over 3.5 million euros and teams fully engaged in research units led by the University of Montpellier and national research organizations such as INSERM, the University Hospital is actively integrated into the regional, national, and European research ecosystem. For example, the Nîmes University Hospital is a partner in the European project coordinated by the University of Montpellier, APOLLO 2028, which aims to propose innovative solutions to improve mental health and resilience in the workplace. As part of the Nîmes University Hospital’s Institutional Plan and fully aligned with the scientific roadmap of the Montpellier-Nîmes site, the University Hospital’s Research Innovation Support Program, PARI 2030, serves as a catalyst for the hospital-university’s influence and regional socio-economic development.

The PUI at the University of Montpellier at a Glance

The Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI) is a consortium of 14 founding members, coordinated by the University of Montpellier, which aims to strengthen collaborative research partnerships with the socio-economic sector, promote technology transfer, and support the creation of startups in the region. Aligned with the University of Montpellier’s strategic priorities of “Feeding, Healing, and Protecting,” it draws on a dynamic scientific community comprising 5,000 scientific professionals, more than 100 research units, and 5 research clusters: Agriculture-Environment-Biodiversity, Biology-Health, Chemistry, Mathematics-Computer Science-Physics-Systems, and Social Sciences. The University Innovation Hub also brings together 5,000 scientists and 120 specialists in commercialization and partnerships, and represents an average of 350 partnership agreements per year.

Projects that benefit patients and healthcare providers

Three projects supported by the Montpellier University Innovation Hub (PUI) were presented. They demonstrate the ability of hospital and university teams to turn clinical needs into concrete solutions, thanks to support from PUI initiatives such as the Montpellier Innovation Booster (BIM) and Companies and Campus:

• PEASY: an innovative medical device for managing male urinary incontinence, developed by Professor Xavier Garric (University of Montpellier – IBMM, Nîmes University Hospital). As a BIM award winner, it has received nearly €44,000 in funding and exemplifies the synergy between clinical expertise and university research.
• 3D4 PEDIA: a pharmaceutical 3D printing project for pediatrics, led by Dr. Ian Soulairol (University of Montpellier – ICGM, Nîmes University Hospital), in collaboration with the company MB Therapeutics. As a winner of the Companies and Campus program, the project received €50,000 to develop personalized medications tailored for children.
• DM CONNECT: an innovative digital platform led by Dr. Laure Roux (Nîmes University Hospital), aimed at improving the coordination of patient care pathways. Also a BIM award winner, this project has received €26,000 in funding and brings together expertise in digital health and hospital engineering.

These initiatives embody the shared vision of the University of Montpellier and the Nîmes University Hospital: to innovate together for the benefit of patients, healthcare providers, and research.

“The Nîmes University Hospital and the University of Montpellier are joining forces to make innovation and research a driving force for regional development and improved patient care. Our investments and research priorities reflect our commitment to cutting-edge medicine that serves patients and healthcare providers. “Our ambition is to position the University Hospital as a key player in healthcare innovation through its ability to bring together healthcare professionals, patients and users, startups, and industry partners,” says Frédéric Rimattei, Director General of the Nîmes University Hospital.

A new call for proposals: strengthening translational research

Beyond these achievements, this networking event also marks the launch of a joint call for proposals on Research ,” led by the University of Montpellier and the Nîmes University Hospital. This call, with a budget of €100,000 (50% UM, 50% Nîmes University Hospital), aims to encourage new collaborations between researchers, clinicians, and industry partners by supporting initiatives capable of accelerating the transition from basic research to concrete clinical applications, in line with the strategic priorities of both institutions.

“The synergy between research and innovation is what makes us strong. Together, we want to build a center of excellence in healthcare on a European scale,” emphasizes Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier.

This call for proposals is part of the national health innovation strategy and reinforces the Montpellier–Nîmes corridor’s position as a leading region for university hospital and biomedical innovation.