About Biotechnologies in France

The biotechnology sector in France first came to the front of the international scene in the 1990s and is continuing today to develop at a rapid rate. There are more than 400 biotechnology companies today in France. The biotech sector employs around 6000-7000 people. Including the companies that are indirectly related to the development andproduction of biotechnologies, there are around 20,000 people employed in this sector.

The years 2006 and 2007 were record years for the industry in terms of finance and funding. The total investment in French Biotech growth to $268 millions in 2006. Drugs under development in French industry are significant numberand testify to the high level of productivity of this industry.The French biotechnology industry is the third largest in Europe in terms of the number of listed companies, behind theUK and Germany, but further reforms could boost France to become a key driver in Europe and in the world.
Recently, France has been implementing new tax credits and exemptions specifically targeting innovative industries such as the biotech industry to encourage research-driven start-ups, France grants these companies tax-free status,including exemption from paying local and income taxes as well as national social charges. This concept hasexperienced resounding success.

France has created a series of competitiveness Clusters to leverage synergies between higher education and both private and public research.France's bio sector is currently on the move, thanks to a nurturing environment for innovation and increasing access tocapital.
Over the last two decades, France has become a major player in the European biotechnology sector. With over 400 biotech firms and more than 600 biotechnology services and support companies, France ranks among the top biotechnations in Europe.

In addition, many other companies are indirectly involved with this industry, in fields such as laboratory supplies, intellectual property law and marketing. Usually, biotech companies, especially those making research efforts, startrecuperating on their research investment late in their business cycle, as the research cycle for a product takesbetween 10 and 15 years. This is why companies don't develop a break-through product at the beginning of theirexistence and also why the general turnover in France is mainly realised by the companies that are 10 years old ormore.

At least, one of the key strengths of the French biotechnology industry is definitively the number of research
institutions, technology parks and scientific personnel active in the industry. France is ranked second, right afterGermany, in number of full-time researchers working in the life sciences sector and number four worldwide in thenumber of scientific works published every year.