EUROAPI has announced Med4Cure, an initiative within the Health Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) framework, to strengthen pharmaceutical sovereignty in Europe.
The launch event took place at the Vertolaye site in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France, in the presence of private and public partners, local representatives and state officials.
The programme’s initial partners include start-ups Crysttal, Abolis and Alysophil, the CEISAM laboratory (Nantes Université), the CARMeN Institute and the i-CLeHS laboratory (Chimie ParisTech – PSL University). It intends to form a consortium of around 40 partners.
EUROAPI CEO David Seignolle stated: “EUROAPI is proud to bring together a unique collaborative ecosystem of start-ups, med-sized companies, and renowned academic teams to develop the pharmaceutical solutions of tomorrow.
“Thanks to IPCEI and its open innovation framework, we will boost our research and development [R&D] capacity by launching three pioneering programmes that will strengthen the sustainable production of active ingredients in Europe, benefiting patients and local communities.”
In June 2024, the European Commission identified EUROAPI among 13 companies eligible for up to €1bn ($1.16bn) public funding.
Med4Cure will support EUROAPI's R&D activities, ranging from early-stage to industrial feasibility studies, in three strategic domains.
The initial priority will be corticosteroids, involving processes and technologies development at the Vertolaye site to enhance molecules production for allergic and immune diseases.
Med4Cure will also focus on nanocrystals, enhancing molecular bioavailability for supporting existing and new drugs innovation.
The third priority will be the macrolide antibiotics project at the Saint-Aubin-lès-Elbeuf site, aimed at relocating the production of a crucial intermediate in macrolides manufacturing.
EUROAPI has five manufacturing sites in Europe and ensures quality active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing for supply to customers in more than 80 countries.
