French and Belgian researchers team up
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Lyonbiopole and Biowin, two healthcare competitiveness clusters in France and Belgium respectively, have concluded a collaboration agreement that will allow for inter-cluster partnerships in R&D, training and communication. The two groups are setting up the Prediction research programme to predict the safety of new biologicals capable of targeting the immune system, allowing toxicology assessments at an early stage in the development process. Initially, projects will be developed with regional or national funds and then consolidated in a European framework. Training modules might also be consolidated at European level, after the specific needs of each cluster have been inventoried. Raising the general public's awareness of medicine, biotechnology and medical technology through a communication programme is also a joint commitment of the two clusters. Lyonbiopole was set up as a cluster in 2005 as part of a government initiative to increase France's competitiveness. The Walloon regional government in Belgium approved Biowin in 2006, setting its focus on cancer, inflammation and brain diseases.