France | Life Sciences & Health Mission Lille

Are you active in the Life Sciences & Health sector and do you want to do business in France? Then join us in this 3-day Economic Mission to the northern French region of Hauts-de-France.  

Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, leads this mission. You can network, explore market opportunities and meet potential business partners and clients. For more information, the programme and to sign up for this Economic Mission, please take a look at the event page on the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) website.  

 Opportunities for Dutch companies in the Hauts-de-France region 

The Hauts-de-France region is already well known to Dutch companies.  

• Hauts-de-France is a nearby region with a strong focus on cooperation with the Netherlands. 
• The region is home to 6 million people: making it the 2nd largest region in France. 
• The region is in a direct line 55 kilometers from the Netherlands. The capital Lille is just a 1.5-hour drive from the Dutch border. 
• 20% of Dutch investments in France go to this region; that is twice as much as to the Paris region. 
• For many Dutch companies, the region has proved to be a springboard to the rest of France. 

Programme 

We offer participants a tailor-made programme. The main components are: 

• Individual matchmaking; 
• Networking events; 
• Company and/or site visits; 
• Trade reception / trade dinner; 
• Interactive working sessions; 
• Informative seminars and presentations; 
• Local support provided by the organisation; 
• Local transport (linked to the mission programme). 

During this mission, you will gain knowledge about the latest developments in the Life Sciences and Health sector. You will also meet key French business partners.   

Themes 

• Hauts-de-France ranks number 3 as a health region in France and is among the top three regions driving the French health industry.  
• About 8% of the region’s health companies operate in e-health: a fast-growing area where healthcare and digital technology converge.  
• About half of the health companies in Hauts-de-France concentrate on manufacturing medical devices, equipment and consumables, processing materials and synthesising new products.
• Innovation is high on the agenda in northern France. For example, a robot produces medicines at Lille University Hospital. 

The strength of the Hauts-de-France region is mainly MedTech. Therefore, the Life Sciences & Health programme focuses on this theme. 

During the trade mission to northern France, the focus for LSH will be on medical technology. Medical technologies are important for the development and improvement of health and care. For example, techniques that contribute to a longer healthier life, better and earlier diagnosis of diseases, and timely and effective treatment. 

Monday 3 April 

• Life Sciences & Health sector meeting 
• Joint kick-off 
• Dinner for all mission participants 

Tuesday 4 April 

• We will start with a visit to the Eurasanté campus. This cluster for innovation in healthcare is located in the heart of the largest university hospital campus in Europe with 200 companies, 8 hospitals, 4 faculties and 50 laboratories.  

At Eurasanté, there will be a presentation on MedTech in Northern France to get an idea of this region and how it compares to the rest of the country. After the presentation, we will visit the campus. 

• During the lunch, there will be a seminar where French experts will talk about, amongst others, market access and regulatory frameworks in France.  
• Individual matchmaking with key business and cooperation partners specific to your company. We put this programme together with assistance from the Enterprise Europe Network.  
• Trade dinner, where you can network with companies, experts and authorities in the region. 

Wednesday 5 April 

• On Wednesday, two visits are scheduled. In the morning, we will visit CHU Lille to get a look at the largest academic hospital in Northern France. Based on the profiles of the participating companies, different institutes of the CHU Lille will be visited, such as Institut Coeur-Poumon, Centre Oscar Lambret (cancer institute) or the clinic research center of Inserm.  

• In the afternoon, we will visit a company that focuses on innovation in the MedTech sector.  

We are working on the concrete concept programme for Life Sciences & Health. We will announce this as soon as possible.  

Participation and Costs 

Participation costs €500 per organisation (maximum 2 participants per organisation). 

Travel and accommodation costs are at your own expense. You will receive proposals for your accommodation after the registration deadline. Local transport will be arranged. 

Registration 

The registration for this very interesting mission through the website of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has been closed. The application deadline was 25 February 2023. Since the application deadline is extended, participation in individual matchmaking is not guaranteed when applying after 31 January 2023. 

A maximum of 2 individuals per organisation may participate. 

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) considers it important that participants fit the set-up and substantive focus of the mission. Registration and automatic confirmation of receipt therefore does not mean that you are automatically admitted to the trade mission. You will receive a final confirmation after the close of the application period. 

Organisation 

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) organises this mission in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Embassy in Paris and the honorary consuls in Lille and Calais.