A study conducted by the Conseil Économique et Social Régional (Regional Economic and Social Council) highlights the potential of Lower Normandy’s pharmaceutical industry and puts forward proposals to encourage and develop this promising sector. Synergia’s 16th of May breakfast debate in the Ladies’ Abbey was devoted to the subject.

Whilst public health remains at the heart of current national politics (Plan Cancer, Alzheimer…), the regional presence of a renowned hub reuniting biology, imaging and health, together with the pharmaceutical industry’s firm establishment throughout the region has led the CESR to conduct a study, in 2007, on the pharmaceutical industry and its associated activities (cosmetics, dietary supplements, distribution…), the results of which were recently made public by Robert Le Moan. “The aim was to highlight Lower Normandy’s existing potential and its prospects via, first and foremost, an inventory of the current situation, to be followed by proposals to encourage and develop this sector offering important employment potential,” explains Philippe Hugo, research officer.
The pharmaceutical industry and its associated activities currently employ 5,700 people throughout Lower Normandy. The industry includes nine production facilities, throughout the territory, with two « big pharma » establishments: Schering Plough in Hérouville Saint-Clair and Aventis in Lisieux. University research laboratories have also contributed to developing highly specialised and renowned skills in the pharmaceutical field. Servier, France’s leading independent pharmaceutical group, has been working in partnership with the CERMN - Centre d’Études et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie (Normandy Research and Study Centre on Medicinal Drugs), led by Professor Sylvain Rault. “It was a genuine partnership (as opposed to subcontracting) which led to the creation of a common research laboratory in the year 2000,” points out Dr Bruno Pfeiffer.

“Creating excellent host conditions and reinforcing interregional cooperation”

Since its creation in 1970 by Professor Max Robba, the CERMN has continued its development. It is behind the very first combinatorial libraries. A genuine breeding ground for young talent, it has also helped young and innovative businesses to emerge. Created in 2005, Borochem, of which Alexandre Bouillon is chairman, designs and commercialises a catalogue of some 350 original organoboron molecules for R&D teams and pharmaceutical companies. The company currently has 70 international clients and employs a staff of 10. “To develop further, we need an appropriate site and development support.”
The pharmaceutical industry’s development relies on several factors: the maintenance of locally established industries, synergy between businesses and research laboratories, a supply of appropriate education and training and the development of interregional cooperation. “The industry has a number of forthcoming appointments that are not to be missed,” highlights Philippe Hugo. “The LEEM (a syndicate reuniting businesses in the therapeutic sector) is currently working on a project to create an international cluster on medicinal drugs. Normandy merits a place in such a venture.”

Study available on request to the Conseil économique et social régional de Basse-Normandie - Abbaye aux Dames BP 529 14036 Caen cedex - Tel. 02 31 06 98 90 - E-mail: secrétariat@cesr-basse-normandie.fr

Philippe Hugo
02 31 06 98 90

Bruno Pfeiffer
01 55 72 22 00

Sylvain Rault
02 31 93 41 69

Alexandre Bouillon
02 31 94 50 73

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