Pharma and biotechnology
Meet the Lyon players who are advancing the biotech and pharma of the future
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The pharma and biotech sector.
A complete, connected biotechnology–pharmaceutical ecosystem in Lyon and its region, bringing together clinical and academic players, major international groups and innovative biotech companies: infectious diseases (Aurobac, Osivax, Fab’entech, etc.), oncology (Netris, Maat Pharma, Brenus, Eli Lilly, etc.), neuroscience (Theranexus, etc.), organ-on-a-chip (Netri, etc.), endocrinology and metabolism (Enyopharma, Adocia, Alexion/AstraZeneca, etc.).
No. 1
vaccine production site in Europe
No. 1
French region for biomanufacturing/API production
16,000
pharma–biotech jobs in the Lyon region
Leading companies in the area
A world leader in healthcare, Sanofi is one of the main industrial players in the Lyon region with four R&D and production sites.
French headquarters of the specialist in veterinary vaccines, incorporating several R&D and drug production sites.
The French headquarters of the pharmaceutical group, with industrial sites dedicated to the production of active ingredients, as well as the distribution of drugs and diagnostic reagents.
The French headquarters of the pharmaceutical group specializing in generic medicines, with a production site in Ain and a packaging site near Lyon.
One of the world’s leading CROs, specializing in the development of new medicines, has its France/Europe headquarters and two R&D sites located north of Lyon.
CDMO located in the Lyon region, specializing in developing and manufacturing complex oral pharmaceutical forms, including highly active molecules, with a dedicated production site.
Lyon-based company specializing in the design of innovative injectables for the hospital market (ER, resuscitation, anesthesia and neurology), with two sites (R&D and production) and 11,000 m² dedicated to logistics.
Pharmaceutical R&D company with an infectious disease unit of 120 researchers in Lyon (BSL-3), covering all stages of the discovery and development of new drugs.
CDMO, a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, with a site near Lyon, specializing in the development and production of solid oral forms as well as highly active APIs.
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Reasons to invest in Lyon and its region.
Leverage Lyon’s scientific excellence
Lyon and its region stand out for their scientific and hospital excellence, offering a unique ecosystem for innovation. World leaders in vaccines (Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim), France’s leading infectious disease center (2,500 researchers, 8,000 jobs), reference centers in oncology (including the Centre Léon Bérard, bringing together a total of 4,500 researchers), tissue engineering, skin biology and neuroscience (800 researchers, 43 units) provide a favorable environment for companies, pharmaceutical laboratories and pharmaceutical start-ups.
Develop your trials in a major clinical hub
With over 1,300 active studies conducted by HCL and its EpsilYON platform for early-phase trials, and over 250 oncology trials conducted by the Centre Léon Bérard, with 140 experts in clinical research, this unique ecosystem promotes clinical collaborations and strengthens the region’s competitiveness. Lyon has proved itself as a European center of excellence for clinical trials and a strategic choice for any pharmaceutical company or laboratory wishing to establish a base.
Join a comprehensive network of CROs, CDMOs and CMOs
Lyon and its region have a dense fabric of pharmaceutical companies, laboratories and start-ups covering the whole value chain, from CROs to CDMOs and CMOs. Over 300 players in the pharmaceutical industry provide a complete environment for all the stages in the research, development and production of new medicines, fostering innovation and strategic partnerships for all pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology players.
Iconic places.
Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict
The center of biotechnology in Lyon, the Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict brings together 70 major players and 5,000 life science professionals, including 3,000 researchers. It is home to world leaders such as Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim and Viatris, innovative SMEs, research and university centers, cutting-edge infrastructure such as the P4 Laboratory, as well as two international institutions: the WHO Academy and IARC.
Purpose-built real estate
Bioparc
Lyon’s second-largest health intelligence hub, with 30,000 m² of labs and offices and around thirty biotech/medtech companies, in the heart of the eastern hospital district in the city’s eighth arrondissement: four HCL hospitals (Edouard Herriot, neurology, cardiology, pediatrics), the Léon Bérard cancer center, the Vinatier psychiatric hospital, the medicine and pharmacy faculties.
Purpose-built real estateCompanies that have chosen the Lyon region.
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