Servier Breaks Ground on Paris-Saclay Research Institute

Servier has laid the foundation stone of its future Research Institute in the Paris-Saclay cluster. The new Servier Paris-Saclay Research Institute will house all of the Group's research activities located in France by 2022.

"It is with great joy and pride to lay the foundation stone of the future Servier Paris-Saclay Research Institute, within this innovative and dynamic ecosystem. This milestone further exemplifies the Group’s ongoing commitment to the discovery of innovative therapeutic solutions for patients," said Olivier Laureau, President of Servier. "By combining the research activities of our four French sites into a single, unique, and state-of-the-art center in Paris-Saclay, the Servier group is continuing to support France whilst attracting researchers from around the world."

This benchmark project supported by the Paris-Saclay cluster resonates with the Servier group’s policy of open innovation via a strategy of dynamic partnerships. At its new Research Institute, the Servier group will work alongside other scientific organizations thus providing a natural opportunity for collaboration and potential innovation. Paris-Saclay is one of the world’s top 8 innovation clusters and is home to 40% of all industrial R&D in the Paris region.

"The laying of the first stone of the new Servier Research Institute is an embodiment of the collaboration between the Paris-Saclay Public Development and the Servier group. We are delighted to welcome the Servier group to our cluster, whose presence will strengthen the potential for innovation and excellence of the Paris-Saclay site. The synergies that will be created between the major players, thanks to the Servier group’s presence, will make France an even more attractive prospect in terms of scientific and medical innovation," said Philippe Van de Maele, Managing Director of Paris-Saclay Public Development (EPAPS).

The Servier Group has nearly 2,900 employees working in research and development around the globe. The future Servier Paris-Saclay Research Institute will, at a single site, house 600 researchers who are currently spread across four locations in France (Croissy-sur-Seine, Suresnes, Orléans, and Gidy). By gathering its French research activities within a single research center, Servier will be able to accelerate the decision-making process, explore new ways of working, share knowledge more efficiently, disseminate best practices, and encourage partnerships.

This research dynamic will be boosted even further by the creation of a one-of-a-kind incubator in France, at the Research Institute. It will be home to the most innovative start-ups in the medical sector, which will be able not only to develop their projects independently, but also to share their expertise with Servier teams to make the collaboration even more dynamic. Covering 1,850 m2, this innovation hub will offer 80 workstations for start-ups, including fully-equipped laboratories, collaborative areas, and office space.

The new facility will also speed up research efforts, especially in oncology which is one of Servier’s strategic priorities and a key branch of its therapeutic research. Currently, 700 employees in 50 countries are working to develop innovative oncology therapeutic solutions. Over the next 2 years, oncology will account for half of the Group's R&D budget1. Five cancer treatments are available, so far, and the Servier group is working to develop 12 drug candidates. Servier has signed 21 partnership agreements with academic institutions, as well as industrial partners and biotech companies in this therapeutic area.

Designed by Wilmotte et Associés, the new Research Institute will be built to the highest environmental standards to promote the health and well-being of its occupants and to protect biodiversity. It aims to achieve both HQE (High Environmental Quality) and WELL certification, as well as the BiodiverCity® label. Construction of the future Servier Research Institute, covering approximately 45,000 m2, is scheduled for completion in 2022. 

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