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Three Leading North American Companies Receive the 2006 French Life Science Award in Chicago

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 April 2006, 12:00 CDT

French-American transatlantic cooperation in biotechnology was celebrated last night at the 6th Annual French Life Science Awards as Eli Lilly, Cerenis Therapeutics and Stryker were honored for their outstanding contributions to French-American cooperation in the life sciences.

The French government presents these awards annually because of the importance of the biotechnology industry in France. Today, France is home to one of the world's leading and innovative biotechnology industries, boasting more than 400 biotech companies and 600 service providers. Since 1997, France has experienced a surge in the emergence of biotechnology companies, 80 percent of which were created after 1990. In 2000, the annual growth rate of French biotech companies was over 25 percent. With 320,000 scientists, France has the second-highest number of researchers and scientists in Europe and has seen some of the most important breakthroughs in life sciences.

Eli Lilly, a leading, innovation-driven corporation committed to developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class and first-in-class pharmaceutical products, was recognized for the recent investment of $320 million made in its facility in Fegersheim, which supplies 126 countries around the world, in all 5 continents. This site is now the Lilly group's largest factory and in 2005, it achieved sales of $1.8 billion.

Cerenis Therapeutics, the pharmaceutical company with combined headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI and Toulouse France was honored for the creation of its operations in Toulouse and the $30.5 million completion of series A financing. Cerenis Therapeutics is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of breakthrough HDL-related therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Cerenis is pursuing a range of HDL product candidates that reflect breakthrough research in HDL therapy and significant commercial opportunities in the treatment of atherosclerosis. The Cerenis management team includes world leaders in HDL therapy research and development.

Stryker, one of the world's leading medical technology companies with the most broadly-based range of products in orthopaedics and a significant presence in other medical specialties, was recognized for its Trauma Care Institute, inaugurated in Nice in June 2005. The institute is the first of what is envisioned to be a global network of technical training and education centers, and is a key component of Stryker's strategy for innovation and the promotion of excellence in traumatology. Hosting formal programs for health care professionals, the scope of activities reflect the current line of Stryker trauma solutions in the following indication-based groups: deformities, pediatrics and foot; hip fractures; lower extremities and pelvis; upper extremities and hand.

Presenting the crystal awards to executives representing the three awardees were Jean-David Levitte, Ambassador of France to the United States; Christine Lagarde, French Minister for Foreign Trade; and Clara Gaymard, Ambassador, Special Representative of France for International Investment and President, Invest in France Agency.

Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Lorenzo Tallarigo, President, International Operations, Eli Lilly; Jean-Louis Dasseux, President & CEO, Cerenis Therapeutics; and J. Patrick Anderson, Vice President, Strategy and Communications, Stryker.

The 2006 French Life Science Awards were sponsored by Lyon Biopole, France's biotech competitive cluster located in the Rhone-Alpes region, and Bell Boyd, the Chicago-based law firm providing counsel to industrial and high technology companies, financial institutions, service firms, government bodies, tax-exempt organizations and individuals.

In 2005, the French government pledged $1.8 billion over three years to develop and support a new system of 67 industrial clusters - ranging from aerospace to telecom. The overall goal of these centers of excellence is to create a global technological edge by facilitating the creation of partnerships between academia and industry. The French government is focusing on 15 top centers of excellence to attract international partners. Innovations Therapeutiques, in Alsace, the French part of the tri-national (France - Germany - Switzerland) life sciences network has been recently recognized as a "cluster with a worldwide purpose" in the field of Therapeutic Innovations by the French government.

About the Invest in France Agency (IFA) The Invest in France Agency is the French government agency for international investment. Invest in France Agency North America provides US, Canadian and Mexican executives with customized, confidential, complimentary services including financial and fiscal incentives, key industry contacts and site selection studies. Its mission is to help North American companies find the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in Europe.

Source: Business Wire

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