A magazine will now be published annually to report on the progress and successes of the projects and players involved with the initiative. The first issue was distributed to the 400 participants of the 2nd MedVallée Conference held on October 15 at the Corum Conference Center in Montpellier. It provides a 19-page overview covering the first 1,000 days of this entrepreneurial and academic initiative, which is unique in the world.
Co-founded by the French government and the Occitanie Region, MedVallée distinguishes itself by bringing together a community of more than 1,000 stakeholders from all fields linked to Global Health excellence sectors, including entrepreneurs, researchers, teachers, and economic and institutional partners.
Since it was launched, the MedVallée ecosystem has achieved significant successes thanks to its mobilizing energy, with milestones such as the creation of the Immun4Cure University Hospital Institute (the 8th IHU in France), the Local Public International Education Institution (EPLEI) in Montpellier, and the launch of the Boost Invest MedVallée program. These are some of the reasons why Nervosave Therapeutics, one of the laureates of this program aimed at identifying and supporting startups seeking funding, chose to set up in Montpellier, even though their project originated at Institut Pasteur.
Montpellier Global Days is another success story. Over the past few years, this major event organized by the University of Montpellier, its academic partners in the I-Site Excellence Program, and CGIAR, has grown in popularity. This was certainly the case at the most recent edition, which brought together no fewer than 300 experts from 60 countries.
While the first issue of the MedVallée Magazine presents the ecosystem and outlines the challenges faced by this global hub, it does not include new announcements made at the last conference, in particular that of a world-first in pediatrics: the integration of a humanoid robot, named Miroka, at the pediatric radiotherapy department of the Val d’Aurelle Montpellier Cancer Institute. Led by the Montpellier Cancer Institute and a company called Enchanted Tools, in partnership with SIRIC Montpellier Cancer, this project is designed to support children throughout their treatment, with the small robot providing them with essential emotional support, particularly in the radiotherapy room.
“By leveraging the historical strengths of the Montpellier metropolitan area, MedVallée mobilizes, stimulates, and connects agricultural, food, environmental, and health issues. MedVallée now positions the Montpellier area as a recognized showcase for Global Health. A success story well worth writing about. We look forward to the second issue!”
