Global Health, a major issue and a worldwide challenge

“What I missed most in the United States was the translational patient-caregiver-researcher relationship. They did not offer the ecosystem that Montpellier does.” That was before Stéphanie Nougaret, MD-PhD and professor in radiology, joined the Montpellier Cancer Institute, ICM Val d’Aurelle, IRCM, and SIRIC Montpellier Cancer, the only integrated cancer research center in the South of France.” 

Until that point, she had worked in Montreal, Boston, and New York, and has no regrets about her choice.  “Your decision confirms the choices we made,” responded Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier and president of Montpellier Métropole, at the second MedVallée Conference, where Stéphanie Nougaret was speaking alongside other specialists on the topic “Digital and AI: our assets for prevention and patient care”.

With over 400 participants, this second conference aimed to highlight the strengths and successes of the Montpellier ecosystem in the field of Global Health. And it was a success.

MedVallée, a world-class excellence hub in Global Health initiated by Montpellier Métropole, stimulates innovation by bringing together the expertise of all the region's players in the fields of health, food, agronomy, agriculture, and the environment, to help meet major planet-wide challenges. 

Stéphanie Gottlib-Zeh, MedVallée ambassador and president of Agileo Ventures, added: “This is a magnificent project designed to jointly build a metropolis focused on global health, where local residents are the primary beneficiaries.” 

“Here, innovation serves all residents, as this area wants to set an example. Montpellier's model can be replicated in other places, helping to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare,” confirms Nicolas Giraudeau, coordinator of Montpellier Santé Orale by MedVallée for oral health.

Further proof was provided with the presentation of a world-first in pediatrics: the integration of a humanoid robot, named Miroki, within the pediatric radiotherapy department at the Montpellier Val d’Aurelle Cancer Institute.

Spearheaded by ICM and Enchanted Tools, in partnership with SIRIC Montpellier Cancer, this project seeks to provide support for children with cancer throughout their radiotherapy treatment. The little robot provides them with vital emotional support, particularly inside the radiotherapy room. 

But the momentum generated by MedVallée also fosters the creation, development, and establishment of businesses, thereby generating new jobs and continuing to reinforce Montpellier's attractiveness.

Launched as part of MedVallée, the Boost Invest MedVallée program contributes to that aspect. As a result, NBX Therapeutics, one of the program's laureates, decided to set up operations in Montpellier, despite the fact that its project originated at Institut Pasteur. 

Innovation is clearly stimulated. During the second MedVallée Conference, Vitropic,  Europe’s leading laboratory for the in vitro cultivation of tropical agronomic plants, presented research being conducted by the Cirad subsidiary to develop a banana variety that is resistant to the diseases that threaten banana production.

“MedVallée’s slogan is The Future is Being Invented Here. And the greater Montpellier area is where it's happening,” observes Patrick Caron, MedVallée ambassador and president of Agropolis International.

“The excellence pursued by MedVallée is essential,” highlighted Éric Servat, director of the UNESCO ICIREWARD International Water Centre. Because of that, “science needs to work with all the other stakeholders, including businesses,” he confirmed.

And the momentum is growing. MedVallée now positions the Montpellier area as a recognized flagship for Global Health. Since MedVallée was launched, the ecosystem has enjoyed a number of major successes, including the creation of IHU Immun4Cure, France's 8^th largest Hospital-University Institute (IHU). Another recent success is the creation of a Public Local Establishment for International Education (Établissement Public Local d'Enseignement International, EPLEI) in Montpellier. And that’s just the beginning!

“We need other local examples like that of Montpellier”, insisted Guillaume Grosso, deputy executive managing director of CGIAR, an international organization headquartered in Montpellier, before signing an agreement with Montpellier Métropole to create the International Innovation Hub, an innovation booster designed to enhance the sustainability of food systems on an international scale, with a focus on developing countries.

A look back at the highlights of the event:

All the replays of the event can be (re)discovered here here

Head over to www.medvallee.fr to find out more about upcoming success stories!