France Hosts Inaugural TechBio Ecosystem Event in Paris: Exploring AI’s Transformative Role in Drug Discovery

Paris, November 21, 2024 – Organized by WhiteLab Genomics (WLG) with support from AI for Health, France Biotech, France Deeptech, and Future4Care, TechBio France 2024 the inaugural national event for the French TechBio ecosystem took place in Paris on November 20. This conference aimed to foster innovation and collaboration in the life sciences and technology sectors while accelerating the development of this rapidly growing field.

TechBio France provides a unique platform for discussing the potential and challenges of this emerging and fast-growing sector.

This initiative builds on discussions between WhiteLab Genomics and public authorities at the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, the work of the AI & Biodiscovery expert group within France Biotech, the establishment of France Deeptech, and the organization of the 7th annual AI for Health conference in 2024. All these efforts share a common goal: to accelerate the structuring of the TechBio ecosystem in France.

The first edition brought together over 250 participants, including key players and companies in the industry. The TechBio France conference addressed various aspects of this lesser-known sector, highlighting its technological and developmental nuances, challenges related to funding and business models, and international competitiveness. Topics included the strengths and weaknesses of the sector, strategic opportunities, validation of technological R&D, global competitiveness, and funding models.

 

A Successful Gathering of France’s TechBio Ecosystem in Paris TechBio: A New Segment of the Life Sciences Sector

While TechBio companies share the ultimate goal of traditional pharmaceutical and biotech firms, discovering new and improved treatments for patients, they achieve this by challenging the status quo, placing a strong emphasis on leveraging technology to advance biology.

By transitioning from hypothesis-driven approaches to data-driven strategies and leveraging AI, TechBio is at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. Opportunities span the entire biomedical value chain, from enhanced diagnostics and drug development to revolutionizing healthcare delivery. These advancements are expected to impact all aspects of the industry in the future.

TechBio aims to capture a significant share of the pharmaceutical outsourcing market while achieving greater economies of scale than traditional biotech, supported by diversified business models and accelerated development of new solutions.

 

The Funding Challenge

Despite its promise, the sector faces challenges, particularly in securing funding. Specialized funds are still limited, and the innovative, evolving TechBio business model is not always recognized and valued by investors.

« The TechBio France conference was created to educate the economic ecosystem about a sector that is still largely unknown but holds immense promise and is crucial to the future of the pharmaceutical industry. I am proud that the success of this event is helping accelerate the development of TechBio companies, which stand out for their dynamism in France and contribute significantly to the country’s innovation leadership, » said David Del Bourgo, CEO and co-founder of WhiteLab Genomics.

« The TechBio France event aligns with one of AI for Health’s core missions: bridging the gap between emerging technologies and their tangible impact in the real world. Like the early days of AI in healthcare, the TechBio sector, with its immense potential and complex challenges, requires more than isolated efforts to thrive. It demands coherent action and shared ideas. Supporting this initiative was imperative for us, and we are committed to closely following its progress, » said Damien Gromier, CEO and founder of AI for Health.

« AI provides a significant opportunity to accelerate drug discovery and development. By adopting these cutting-edge technologies, biotech and pharmaceutical companies can speed up and secure their R&D processes for the benefit of patients while reducing costs, risks, and timelines. TechBio also enables better prediction of drug-target interactions, biomarker identification, and the development of more personalized treatments tailored to patient needs. While challenges such as data quality and accessibility remain, the applications are vast, and this technological convergence is essential to shaping the future of our industry, » explained Frédéric Girard, President of France Biotech.

« The TechBio France 2024 conference marks a pivotal step for France’s TechBio ecosystem, highlighting the critical role of AI in advancing biotechnology. France Deeptech applauds and supports this initiative, which catalyzes synergies between AI and biomedical technologies to transform discoveries into practical solutions. This event highlights the importance of strengthened collaboration among startups, researchers, and investors to address tomorrow’s healthcare challenges, » stated Michel De Lempdes, President of France Deeptech.

« At Future4care, we hold a unique and innovative position at the intersection of technology and science, placing TechBio companies at the core of our mission, » said Agnès De Leersnyder, CEO of Future4care. « We are actively committed to structuring this market in France. Our role is simple, and our mission clear: to be a trusted partner facilitating the seamless integration of TechBio companies into the pharmaceutical industry. We are determined to support an increasing number of these players within our accelerator, backing promising initiatives that will transform R&D in the future. »

 

About WhiteLab Genomics

Founded in 2019, backed by Y-Combinator, WhiteLab Genomics stands at the convergence of computer sciences and biology, pioneering the accelerated development of genomic medicines. By leveraging their proprietary technology, WhiteLab Genomics analyzes complex biological data powered by AI to significantly reduce development timelines and mitigate associated risks. Based on exhaustive datasets, the platform provides in-silico simulations to discover, and design optimized payloads and vectors. WhiteLab aims to expedite the drug development process, cut costs, and accelerate the delivery of life-saving therapies to the market. The company collaborates with leading pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi, academic institutions, and innovative biotechnology companies.  Recognized for their contribution to advancing the field of gene and cell therapy, WhiteLab Genomics is part of the prestigious French government supported French Tech 2030 program and recently joined the Bayer Co.Lab in Cambridge, MA, and Ginkgo Bioworks’ Technology Network, marking major milestones in our international expansion.

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WhiteLab Contact
Nicolas Daniels – Ulysse communication
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Martin Sandgren
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