The Essonne department is part of one of the most dynamic European regions. More than its trademark, the Terre d’avenirs [Land of future opportunities] programme has become a mindset, an impetus and, most of all, a reality that is materialising through the Paris-Saclay Calling initiative.

Located right next to Paris, Essonne thus offers the opportunity to be a land where the values that are innovation and fulfilment are reflected in each and every one of the projects carried out. It benefits from an ideal living environment within an ecosystem that is unique in Europe, which holds high the excellence of the research world.

Rich both in deep-rooted traditions and opportunities for the future, the Essonne department is home to an exciting cultural heritage and many artistic initiatives, making it a truly lively and friendly place. Essonne is waiting for you!

divider
Partners


AFM-Téléthon

AFM-Téléthon is a non-profit of patients and their relatives, committed to fighting diseases. Thanks to donations from the Téléthon (€85.8 million in 2018), it has become a major player in biomedical research into rare diseases in France and across the world. Today, it supports clinical trials testing treatments for genetic diseases of the eyes, blood, brain, immune system and muscles. It is unlike other non-profits in that its laboratories have the ability to design, produce and test their own innovative therapies.

About AFM-Téléthon

 

Généthon

Created by the AFM-Telethon and located in Evry (France), Genethon is a non-profit research and development centre dedicated to the development of biotherapies for rare diseases, from research to clinical validation. Genethon specialises in the discovery and development of gene therapy drugs and has several ongoing clinical, preclinical and research programmes for genetic diseases of muscle, blood, immune system and liver. A first product to which Genethon has contributed has obtained marketing authorisation in the United States in 2019 and is currently undergoing approval in Europe for spinal muscular atrophy. 7 other products resulting from Genethon’s R&D, alone or in collaboration, are currently in clinical trials and several others are in the preparation phase for clinical trials in 2020 and 2021. With 180 experts in the gene therapy, Genethon is one of the leader in this field.

Accessing Genethon’s pipeline
Follow Genethon on Linkedin

 

I-Stem

Created in 2005 through a collaboration between Inserm – National Institute of Health and Medical Research – and AFM-Telethon, The Institute for Stem cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic diseases (I-Stem) is a research and development centre dedicated to the development of treatments based on the potentials offered by pluripotent stem cells and applicable to rare diseases of genetic origin. Its field of activity extends from basic research to the pathological mechanisms and transfer of new therapies to clinical research. Currently, the major pathological indications studied concern diseases of the muscle, motor neurons, skin, retina and those associated with abnormalities in the development of the central nervous system. The technology platform team is exploring and implementing the large tools of cell production, high throughput screening, automated cell imaging, next generation sequencing and technological innovations in cell biology.

About I-Stem

Yposkesi

Yposkesi is one of the leading industrial development and contract manufacturing (CDMO) platforms for gene therapy vectors in Europe, and has 180 employees.

Yposkesi was created in November 2016 in Corbeil-Essonnes (France) by AFM Telethon as a spin-off of one of the leaders in gene therapy, Genethon with the support of BPI France. Yposkesi provides integrated services, covering the development of bioprocesses, the scaling up of production processes, analytical development as well as the manufacturing to GMP standards of clinical batches of lentiviral and AAV vectors. Its current facility consists of a 5,000 m2 building which operates several production suites for the active substance as well as aseptic filling. By 2022, it will increase its footprint with the construction of a second large-scale facility designed for commercial production and in accordance with European and American regulations. Capitalising on the expertise of more than 25 years of Généthon, Yposkesi invests significantly in the innovation of bioprocesses.

About Yposkesi



CEA Paris-Saclay

The CEA: a key player in research, development and innovation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a public research body that operates in four areas: defence and security, low carbon energies (nuclear and renewable), technological research for industry and fundamental research (physical sciences and life sciences). The CEA is a member of the University of Paris-Saclay, located on the plateau de Saclay.

About CEA



GENOPOLE

Genopole is the leading French biocluster dedicated to research and business creation in the fields of genomics and biotechnology, applied to health and the environment. Located south of Paris, in Essonne, Genopole gathers on the same site academic research laboratories, innovative companies in life sciences and shared technology platforms.

Genopole also contributed to the creation of graduate courses in biology at the University of Evry Paris-Saclay, and has close links with higher learning institutes such as Telecom SudParis, ENSIIE, Institut Mines-Telecom Business School, as well as with the South Ile-de-France Medical Center (CHSF, Centre hospitalier sud francilien).

Genopole is mainly supported by the State, the Ile-de-France Regional Council, the Essonne Departmental Council, the Grand Paris Sud Urban Area, the city of Evry-Courcouronnes and the AFM-Telethon.

Genopole’s missions in brief:

– Foster the development of leading-edge research in genomics and related sciences;

– Facilitate the transfer of technologies to the industrial sector for applications in health, environment, agribusiness, etc.;

– Co-develop higher learning in these areas;

– Create and support biotechnology companies.

About Genopole
Join research at Genopole through targeted actions

 



ONERA

ONERA, a central player in aeronautics and space research, employs approximately 1,950 people. Under the supervision of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, it has a budget of 236 million euros, of which more than half comes from commercial contracts. As a government expert, ONERA prepares tomorrow’s defence, meets future aerospace challenges and contributes to the competitiveness of the aerospace industry. It masters all of the disciplines and technologies in this field. All major civil and military aerospace programs in France and Europe include some of ONERA’s DNA: Ariane, Airbus, Falcon, Rafale, missiles, helicopters, engines, radars, etc. Its researchers, who are internationally recognised and have often received awards, train many doctoral students.

About ONERA



Synchrotron SOLEIL

SOLEIL is the French national synchrotron facility, located on the Saclay Plateau near Paris. It is a multi-disciplinary instrument and a research laboratory, whose mission is to run research programs using synchrotron radiation, to develop state-of-the-art instrumentation on the beamlines, and to make those available to the scientific community. SOLEIL, a unique tool for both academic research and industrial applications across a wide range of disciplines including physics, biology, chemistry etc., is used by over 5 000 researchers coming from France and abroad. The facility is a “public” company employing about 500 people, founded by the CNRS and the CEA, and partner of the Paris-Saclay University.

About SOLEIL



Université Paris-Saclay

Université Paris-Saclay brings together ten constituent faculties and institutes (5 faculties, 3 University Institutes of Technology and a University Engineering School and an Observatory of the Sciences of the Universe), four component-institutions (AgroParisTech, CentraleSupélec, Institut d’Optique Graduate School, ENS Paris-Saclay), a recognised non-profit research organisation (IHES), two member-associated universities (UVSQ and UEVE), and laboratories shared with major national research organisations (CEA, CNRS, Inrae, Inria, Inserm, and Onera). It offers a complete and varied range of training courses from undergraduate degrees to PhDs, recognised for their quality thanks to the reputation and commitment of its teaching staff.

Located south of Paris, on a vast territory (from Paris to Orsay, via Evry and Versailles), Université Paris-Saclay benefits from a strategic geographical and socio-economic position enhanced by its international visibility. Cutting-edge, with a predominantly scientific focus but also recognised for its training in human and social sciences, Université Paris-Saclay operates on a classified and protected natural site, close to Paris, and at the heart of a dynamic ecosystem. 

With 65,000 students, 9,000 academic staff members and 11,000 technical and administrative staff members, Université Paris-Saclay is a driving force for the development of its territory and one of the best institutions in the world.

About Université Paris-Saclay



divider
Coming to France has never been so easy
divider

Science Accueil is here to help you settle in Essonne from the moment you decide to settle down in the region. The non-profit assists you with administrative procedures, finding a housing, sending your kids to school… Science Accueil then helps you to learn French and lower the language barrier, to discover France through tailor-made tours, to meet other scientists or locals: in a nutshell, to feel comfortable in France.

Science Accueil is an independent organisation supported by the Île-de-France region, the Essonne department and the Paris-Saclay conurbation authority. It is the partner of over 60 scientific institutions and companies for the support of international students, PhD students and researchers welcomed in the region. Located at the heart of the Paris-Saclay cluster, the non-profit assists more than 4,000 scientists per year with their settlement and integration procedures. The help they receive with administrative procedures and to find an accommodation is free and many other activities are put in place to facilitate their integration within their new living environment (French lessons, cultural visits, meetings and events).

About Science Accueil