VILLEJUIF: Dr. Eric VIVIER: We are creating the conditions for faster innovation in oncology

At the occasion of its 3rd Innovation Forum, the Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster takes stock of its progress in turning innovation into clinical impact.

The Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster (PSCC) gathered over 700 key players in oncology in Villejuif on February 4th for the third edition of its Innovation Forum. Researchers, clinicians, industry professionals, and investors shared a common belief: the future of the fight against cancer lies in the ability to quickly translate science into tangible solutions for patients. Faced with a major public health issue, with 450,000 new cases diagnosed each year in France, and a complex global market, the PSCC positions itself as a strategic accelerator.

Supported by the France 2030 plan, this biocluster, the first of its kind in France dedicated to oncology, aims to streamline the transition from idea to treatment by reducing development timelines and securing investments.

Campus Grand Parc, a hub for innovation

The operational heart of the PSCC, Campus Grand Parc, reached a milestone in early 2026 with the installation of its first occupants. Seven companies, from start-ups to large groups, as well as research teams from Gustave Roussy and the PSCC, totaling around 250 people, have settled on a site of 45,000 m² (planned to reach 100,000 m² by 2032). The campus offers “plug-and-play” laboratories, modular spaces, and tailor-made real estate solutions. It will be supplemented in 2026 by shared scientific services (vivarium, cell cultures, histology) to facilitate preclinical and clinical phases.

Health data as a strategic lever

With its PSCC DATA project, the cluster is establishing a secure access infrastructure to real-life data and samples from major French oncology centers. This platform aims to optimize the design of clinical trials and accelerate access to the market for new therapies in an ethically controlled framework. Already, 12 feasibility studies have been conducted on data from more than 275,000 patients, demonstrating the power of the tool.

Promising 2025 results and strong ambitions for 2026

The year 2025 saw a significant rise in momentum for the PSCC, with over 80 supported projects raising over 200 million euros since 2023. In 2026, the cluster aims to further this momentum, especially with the launch of the BOOST program, a financial support initiative of 2.5 million euros to assist 10 start-ups with 250,000 euros each to reach a decisive stage in their development.

“In structuring an industrial, technological, and data-driven environment around oncology, the Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster creates the conditions for faster, more robust, and more attractive innovation for investors and industry, enabling a more predictive and precise approach to cancer, in the service of truly personalized medicine,” highlights Professor Eric Vivier, President of the PSCC.

Three emblematic start-ups of the ecosystem

The forum highlighted several innovative companies supported by the PSCC, showcasing the vitality of this ecosystem.

• LiveRNA, led by founder Sylvain Carlioz, is developing a new generation of mRNA-based immunotherapies to treat the 80% of non-responding patients to current treatments. Their first drug candidate, LIV-01, targets severe liver cancers, the third leading cause of cancer mortality. The company, born out of research from the Institut Curie, the University of Pennsylvania, and San Raffaele, is launching a first round of funding of 2 million euros.

• One Biosciences, co-founded by Céline Vallot, is a pioneer in precision oncology based on artificial intelligence and single-cell analysis. Their diagnostic solution OneMap decrypts the heterogeneity of tumors to help oncologists choose the most suitable treatments. A spin-off of the Institut Curie, the company raised 15 million euros in 2025 and collaborates with key players like Gustave Roussy, AP-HP, and Sanofi.

• Brenus Pharma, led by Paul Bravetti, is a clinical-phase biotech targeting resistant solid tumors, responsible for 90% of therapeutic failures. Their proprietary Stimulated Ghost Cells platform educates the immune system to destroy tumors. Their drug candidate STC-1010 is currently in Phase I/IIa clinical trial for metastatic colorectal cancer. The company raised 23 million euros in 2024.