Patent plethora in 2010 breaks record for Biocitech technology park residents

Biocitech SAS, the Paris life science technology park, today announced that its 25 resident companies applied for a bumper number of patents with a nearly 70 per cent leap to 147 in 2010. This represents an almost five-fold increase in patent applications since 2007 (when there were 30) and compares with 86 in 2009. This huge rise is an encouraging sign of just how innovative Biocitech companies are. Patent applications are a key marker for the health of a life science company as they indicate innovation progress and the protection of its intellectual property. They show the potential for new therapies for patients and for future revenues for the company through the exploitation of these patents either directly or through sale or partnerships.

Biocitech companies represent a wide-range of activities in the biotechnology field. Between them, they signed 56 agreements with companies outside Biocitech, including 18 with international partners. This is an increase of 51 per cent over 2009. Biocitech’s “campus effect” has also resulted in 21 partnerships or agreements with fellow members of the park, up 50 per cent on 2009. There were also two in-licensing agreements and four out-licensing deals.

Significant progress in health-related biotech saw the achievement of nine preclinical, nine Phase I and two Phase II milestones as residents moved forward with their discovery and development activities. Residents believe that they collectively obtained six proofs of concept and 56 significant scientific advances in 2010.

New companies joined the park in 2010, including OCT Santé, specialized in the transport of biological and pharmaceutical products. As usual, resident companies continued to grow, develop and diversify.

Equity funding raised by park residents last year amounted to EUR 30.2 million, while government aid and grants, such as those from the OSEO innovation agency, reached EUR 7 million. This means that the total funds raised since Biocitech was opened in 2003 is now more than EUR 400 million (EUR 401.2M). Annual revenues of Biocitech companies now amount to more than EUR 142 million.

Companies continued to be active in international conferences with delegates attending some 60 events. They also continued to publish in international scientific journals. Biocitech itself organized or hosted a number of scientific, technological or general interest events on a national or international scale. Three events were organized specifically for the inhabitants of Biocitech’s local area, Romainville and the surrounding area. More than 20 per cent of those who work in Biocitech reside within the local authority area of Seine-Saint Denis.

“Our residents give a globally encouraging report on 2010 despite the difficult economic climate for biotech,” said Jean-François Boussard, CEO of Biocitech. “It would however be unwise to pretend that problems have not arisen in fundraising for example. But it does seem that the different business models of our residents and their willingness to address their markets have given them a certain resilience faced with the ups and downs of the economy.”

“The constant increases in indicators year on year is a clear illustration of the quality of our residents’ R&D and of their success in turning this into commercial advantage. And we are beginning to see the emergence of a cross-disciplinary dynamism at the very moment when Biocitech is about to make a step change in its offer and services for the benefit of current and future residents,” he said.

About Biocitech

The Biocitech technology park for life sciences offers a world-class environment and services for the development of biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and fine chemical companies. Biocitech is on the outskirts of Paris, only 20 minutes from the city center and Charles de Gaulle airport. It is privately-owned and provides secure premises and comprehensive facilities based on the latest technology. It has received regulatory approval for conformity to environmental protection standards. Companies can use one or many of the services offered. These include offices, laboratories and a range of technical and scientific services – all designed to let entrepreneurs concentrate their time and resources on their core business.

Companies already established at Biocitech represent a wide variety of complementary disciplines and many are working on collaborative projects. Along with other organizations in the Ile-de-France region around Paris, Biocitech plays a key role in the Medicen Paris Region network. This is a healthcare and new therapy cluster designated by the French government as internationally competitive and hence qualified for special privileges.
For further information: http://www.biocitech.com

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