Health and Innovation Sector: What strategies can be employed to make the metropolitan area a hub that attracts healthcare companies and research centers?

In a world of constant technological change, the healthcare sector plays a crucial role in the economic development of major cities. Healthcare is indeed a rapidly growing and sustainable industry that can draw on France’s robust healthcare system. It is also a driver of innovation and a key factor in attracting businesses and talent. Building a high-performing healthcare sector within an urban ecosystem requires a clear vision, strong public-private partnerships, appropriate infrastructure, and, above all, transparency within the sector that facilitates the entry of new players. This article offers insights into key strategies for revitalizing the healthcare sector in metropolitan areas. It draws on the experiences of three cities—Lille, Lyon, and Strasbourg—which have successfully established a strong healthcare identity over the past twenty years.

The prerequisite for establishing a healthcare hub in a region is the presence of one or more major healthcare, research, and training institutions, such as a university hospital and/or a cancer center like Gustave Roussy in Villejuif.

The success of a healthcare ecosystem depends on a coordinating body that brings together the four main stakeholders: the university hospital; the local government, typically the main city or metropolitan area; industry; and universities. The experience of the metropolitan areas of Lille, Lyon, and Strasbourg shows that the launch of this coordination varies by location, with the local government playing a key role in creating momentum. This collaborative model enables the creation of a shared strategic vision, fosters innovation, and strengthens the coherence of actions carried out within the sector. For example, Eurasanté in Lille illustrates how shared governance among local authorities, hospitals, and businesses ensures cohesion and maximizes the impact of projects.

In this setup, the university hospital or research center plays a central role as a hub within the healthcare ecosystem: it serves as a platform for clinical trials, supports applied research, and participates in development initiatives in partnership with startups and companies in the sector.

For innovation to thrive, it is essential that startups have direct access to healthcare services. Geographical proximity to hospitals and healthcare institutions allows startups to quickly test their technological innovations, receive concrete feedback, and adapt their solutions to meet the needs of healthcare providers and patients.

NextMed in Strasbourg and Eurasanté in Lille embody this model by bringing together startups, researchers, and hospitals on a single site (or in close proximity), thereby creating an environment conducive to exchange and collaboration. This proximity improves responsiveness, facilitates product testing under real-world conditions, and accelerates the development of cutting-edge medical solutions.

A high-performing ecosystem must also ensure that the educational offerings of universities and schools are tailored to the needs of stakeholders, companies, and health research centers. By connecting schools and universities with companies, metropolitan areas can ensure that the skills taught align with the actual needs of companies in the healthcare sector. Interdisciplinary programs and specialized chairs are valuable tools for training talent ready to tackle the sector’s challenges.

Access to land and the availability of suitable real estate are crucial factors in attracting businesses and startups to a major city. A well-structured real estate offering must include flexible and scalable spaces, such as laboratories and offices, enabling companies to grow and adapt to the new demands of medical innovation.

The Gerland Biodistrict in Lyon offers specialized workspaces and areas dedicated to medical research and biotechnology. However, Lyon’s experience highlights the importance of tailoring infrastructure to actual needs. For example, cleanrooms, although highly technological and fully compliant with cleanliness standards, are now proving costly for the biodistrict itself. It is therefore essential to strike a balance between the sophistication of the facilities and cost control to ensure the economic viability of the ecosystem.

Finally, developing a strong healthcare sector helps cities become more attractive to both talent and international companies. Cities that succeed in positioning themselves as hubs for healthcare innovation can attract significant investment, create new jobs, and contribute to improving healthcare.

However, a city’s competitiveness cannot be sustained without a long-term vision and a coherent strategy. Metropolises must constantly adapt their offerings, taking into account technological advancements and growing public health needs. This means investing in infrastructure projects, such as health data warehouses or bioclusters, while facilitating the transition from research to the commercialization of innovations.

In conclusion, building a healthcare sector in a major city involves more than just attracting companies or developing infrastructure. It requires creating an integrated ecosystem where all stakeholders—researchers, entrepreneurs, local governments, and hospitals—collaborate to drive innovation. The metropolitan areas that succeed in revitalizing their healthcare sector are those that understand the importance of collaboration, technological innovation, and attracting talent. By adopting clear strategies and investing in the right levers, cities can transform their healthcare sector into a true pillar of their economic development.