Actors and Networks database

The Ministry of Higher Education and Research receives declarations of preservation and preparation for scientific purposes of tissues and cells from the human body for the needs of research programmes, as well as requests for authorisation for preservation and preparation with a view to their transfer for scientific use. In addition, any contained use of Genetically Modified Organism is subject to a request for authorisation or a declaration to the Ministry. Finally, the Ministry receives applications for authorisation to import/export human body parts and products for scientific purposes. / In the field of animal experimentation, the Ministry evaluates and authorises animal experimentation projects both prospectively and retrospectively. It ensures compliance with national and European regulations. It carries out the statistical tasks required by Directive 2010/63/EU, collecting and analysing data on the use of animals for scientific purposes. It also promotes the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) to limit and improve the use of animals in research, while encouraging the development of alternative methods. Finally, it works with ethics committees and national and European authorities to ensure the responsible and controlled use of animals for scientific purposes.

The ANSM ensures the safety of health products, especially medicinal products and medical devices, throughout their life cycle. It is informed of research involving humans and authorises clinical trials. The ANSM also authorises ‘cell therapy preparations’ and advanced therapy medicinal products falling within the scope of the hospital exemption, and establishments carrying out activities related to these preparations and medicines. It is also promoting academic research on the safety of use of medicines by funding calls for projects towards research organisms, health research facilities and establishments, but also by creating Public Interest Groups (GIP), for instance, between the State, the HAS (High authority for Health), and the Institute for sanitary watch (InVS).

The National Commission for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes (Commission nationale pour la protection des animaux utilisés à des fins scientifiques), also known as the National Commission for Animal Experiments (Commission Nationale de l'Expérimentation Animale – CNEA), is an advisory body reporting to the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Research. It issues opinions on any changes to legislation or regulations relating to animal experimentation and is involved in approving training courses for designers, applicators and caretakers. It may also be called upon by the Ministers of Agriculture and Research, as well as by the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Health, on matters relating to its area of competence. It is composed of representatives of research, health and industry, as well as representatives from several ministries (Health, Research, Armed Forces, Industry).

The CNIL issues reference methodologies, some of which are designed for health data in the context of research. For research protocols that do not fit one of the existing reference methodologies, a favourable opinion from the CNIL is required before undertaking research involving humans, including clinical trials.

Reporting to the National Commission for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes (CNEA), the National Committee for Ethical Reflection on Animal Experimentation (Comité National de Réflexion Éthique sur l'Expérimentation Animale – CNREEA) is a consultative body responsible for promoting ethical reflection on the use of animals for scientific purposes in France. It ensures that ethical principles are applied and helps to draw up recommendations and guidance for good practice in the field of animal experimentation for those involved in the sector (CNEA, C2EA ethics committees, user establishments, veterinary services). It also draws up annual reports on the activities of the ethics committees on animal experimentation (C2EA) in order to formulate its recommendations.

The National Network of Ethics Committees for Animal Experimentation (Réseau national des comités d'éthique en expérimentation animale – National Network C2EA) is a coordinating body that brings together all the Ethics Committees for Animal Experimentation (Comités d’éthique en expérimentation animale – C2EA) in France. Its aim is to harmonise ethical assessment practices for projects involving animals for scientific purposes, by encouraging the exchange of information and best practice between committees.

The French National Research Agency (ANR) is a public administrative institution under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The agency funds project-based research carried out by public operators cooperating with each other or with private companies. It was founded in 2005 to promote French project-based research and to stimulate innovation by promoting the emergence of collaborative multidisciplinary projects and encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The UNCAM is the French body that brings together representatives of the general and agricultural social security schemes. Its role is to co-ordinate the work of the national funds in managing the health insurance system, and to establish partnerships with healthcare professionals and complementary social protection bodies. It is also responsible for managing the agreement policy, defining the scope of services eligible for reimbursement and setting the rate at which care is covered. In the case of medicines, it is responsible for setting reimbursement rates.

Since 2013, Bpifrance has become the one stop shop for entrepreneurs with a vastly comprehensive toolbox offered in the field to customers through 50 local branches. BPI is also the French agency for innovation, delivering massive programs to innovative entrepreneurs. Bpifrance is a financial institution, with private culture, serving the collective interest. In the health sector, Bpifrance supports by investing, funding and helping Health innovation businesses. In 2018, 503 businesses in the health sector have benefitted from 158 M€ of innovation funds.