What is the approximate stakeholder breakdown of your ecosystem?
The healthcare sector in Bretagne brings together more than 260 companies and 55 public research laboratories. When focusing on innovation in medical technologies and e-health, the region stands out with:
- 1 innovation cluster in Health and Biotech: Biotech Santé Bretagne (https://www.biotech-sante-bretagne.fr/en/), a key facilitator and gateway to the regional ecosystem
- 3 health tech living labs dedicated to digital health experimentation
- 15 innovation units integrated within healthcare institutions
- 1 clinical investigation center specialized in health technologies
- 1 University-Hospital Federation dedicated to health technologies
- 2 major Hospital-University Research projects (RHU):
- FollowKnee (https://followknee.com/), developing a connected knee prosthesis
- PRIMUS, advancing personalized treatments for multiple sclerosis
- Europe’s first network of connected clinical data warehouses (Ouest Data Hub : https://www.chu-hugo.fr/accueil/ouest-datahub-the-leading-hospital-data-network-in-france/)
- 1 inclusive and pilot territory, along with a network of rehabilitation centers to test innovations in the field of disability
- 1 center of excellence in cybersecurity (Pôle Excellence Cyber)
Biotech Santé Bretagne Europe Team – Photo credit required: Maël Gonnet Photographies.
Who are the top 3 champions from your Ecosystem?
The Rennes University Hospital (CHU de Rennes) hosts a Clinical Investigation Center dedicated to technological innovations, with a strong focus on cardiology. The hospital is also deeply involved in AI and robotics development, as a key partner in the European TEF-Health project (https://tefhealth.eu/home).
OSO-AI (https://www.oso-ai.com/en) company has developed AI-powered sound detection technology designed to identify distress situations among vulnerable patients in healthcare and social care facilities. This solution helps alleviate the workload of healthcare professionals. The Brest University Hospital (CHU de Brest) was one of the first institutions to test OSO-AI. Now widely implemented in France, OSO-AI is expanding its trials in European healthcare facilities, notably through the European ACE project.
Bretagne is a leading region in disability innovation, with a pilot inclusive territory (Handicap Innovation Territoire project) and a strong network of rehabilitation centers for testing new solutions (INH Lab). The Kerpape Rehabilitation Center in Brittany plays a key role in coordinating the European Rehab-Lab network (https://rehab-lab.org/map), fostering the development of assistive technologies for people with disabilities.
In the Rehab-Lab workshop, patients design custom-made objects on a computer and then produce them using 3D printing, creating aids tailored to their specific disabilities. Photo credit: Rehab Lab, Kerpape.
What EU funding/collaboration are you involved with, or you would like to be part of?
Biotech Santé Bretagne is notably part of 3 European projects :
- ACE project : Accelerating the homecare innovation ecosystem of the future in the North Sea Region. The ACE project is strengthening the North Sea region’s homecare ecosystem, connecting care providers and companies to foster safety and independence for care users with improved services. This collaboration of 14 partner organizations from six European countries (Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Germany) is defining and expediting all innovative technologies that support older adults at home, while also supporting care service providers in adapting to emerging technologies and new ways of working.nhttps://www.interregnorthsea.eu/ace
- Digital Health for All (DigiH4A) project: With rising healthcare costs and growing demands from ageing populations, the need for accessible, cost-effective health solutions has never been greater. DigiH4A unites leading health authorities, academic institutions, and innovators to create new reimbursement pathways and cost-benefit analysis methods—paving the way for the widespread adoption of digital health technologies, transforming care delivery, and improving patient outcomes across the North Sea region. Biotech Santé Bretagne joins forces with 10 European partners to take up this challenge and contribute to the sustainable transformation of the healthcare sector. https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/digih4a
- EDIH-Bretagne – Digital Innovation Hub: EDIH-Bretagne is Brittany’s ‘European Hub’ for boosting digital innovation. Biotech Santé Bretagne is one of the 9 founding partners of this tool, which aims to stimulate and support companies and the ecosystem by rethinking their organization, their business model, their tools and methods, and by placing the customer and the human being at the heart of this digital transformation. https://edih-bretagne.eu/
Biotech Santé Bretagne is highly interested by future European cooperation, notably in: e-health, AI, green health, nutrition, valorization of bioresources.
For any information, please contact us. Adeline JACOB: Adeline@biotech-sante-bretagne.fr and Gorenka BOJADZIJA SAVIC: Gorenka@biotech-sante-bretagne.fr
What are the key priorities and themes for your ecosystem?
- Cutting-edge hospital-university research and experimentation in medical technologies, particularly in cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology.
- Data interoperability, with international events hosted in Brittany on this topic. For example, the Connectathon HIE Europe 2023: https://connectathon.ihe-europe.net/ihe-europe-connectathon-week-2023.
- Cybersecurity, with an Inserm “Cyber Health” team, a Cyber Excellence Hub bringing together industry leaders, and the European Cyber Week: https://www.european-cyber-week.eu/en.
- Big data, with the first European hospital data network, Ouest Data Hub: https://www.chu-hugo.fr/accueil/ouest-datahub-the-leading-hospital-data-network-in-france/.
- Disability innovation, with the Handicap Innovation Territoire project and the INH Lab network of rehabilitation centers.
- Ecological transition and sustainable healthcare, including the 2025 Sustainable Health Hackathon, focusing on air quality, carbon footprint & AI, sport & health, and nutrition.
- Valorization of bioresources for the development of new drugs and dietary supplements.
“Cyber and Health” Conference at the European Cyber Week 2024 in Rennes. Photo credit: Biotech Santé Bretagne.
Could you highlight some services, solutions or champions from your ecosystem that target the following areas either: women’s health, healthy ageing, mental health, or cancer.
Women’s Health
A Living Lab focused on women’s health is currently being developed within the Rennes University Hospital (CHU de Rennes), with support from Biotech Santé Bretagne. This research, testing, and evaluation platform aims to foster the development and market introduction of solutions addressing women’s health issues and their heightened vulnerability to violence.
Several regional companies are already offering innovative solutions in this field:
- BlueBack: A medical device designed for physiotherapists to monitor deep muscle rehabilitation.
- E-medys: A telemonitoring solution for gestational diabetes.
- Efelya: A mobile application for monitoring high-risk pregnancies.
Healthy Ageing
Bretagne is highly organized around the concept of “healthy aging.” The Gérontopole Kozh Ensemble provides a structured framework and a platform for discussion on aging-related issues, including housing, healthcare, and social life. Additionally, the Living Lab on Aging and Vulnerabilities at Rennes University Hospital (CHU de Rennes) serves as a research, testing, evaluation, and development center for preventive and supportive solutions addressing common challenges faced by the elderly.
Several regional companies are developing innovative solutions in this field:
- OSO-AI: A sound-based AI technology for detecting distress situations in medical and social care facilities.
- Live-Out: Virtual reality scenarios and headsets designed to stimulate memory and reminiscence in elderly individuals.
- Jabi: Digital solutions for enhancing the well-being of seniors and their caregivers.
- Sonaide: Sound-based distress detection and remote assistance for seniors at home.
- Zeebox: A smart TV solution with associated services to help bridge the digital divide for older adults.
- Biosency: A connected health solution for monitoring COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
- Hoppen: A patient portal, connected hospital rooms, and human-centered support to simplify the hospitalization process.
Virtual reality headset designed to revive seniors’ memories, developed by Live Out. Photo credit required: Live Out.
Mental Health
Numerous organizations in Bretagne are actively working on mental health solutions. Here are some key examples:
- Live-Out: Using virtual reality to treat depression in elderly individuals.
- MINDIG: High-density electroencephalography (EEG) for a personalized approach to psychiatry.
- Living Lab on Aging and Vulnerabilities: A research and experimentation center for Alzheimer’s care.
- Institut NuMeCan: Personalized medicine for eating disorders through neurofeedback technology.
- Abyss Ingredients: Developing nutritional supplements to support cognitive health.
- Syneika: rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) to help patients with depression.
- Emobot: Mood disorder analysis through facial expressions and artificial intelligence.
- CHU de Brest: Advancing research in psychiatry, focusing on prevention, screening, and decision support.
- Réussys: A mobile application offering a personalized daily routine for emotion management.
- Deneo: A digital tool designed to enhance treatment adherence and support healthcare professionals in their practices.
Cancer
Bretagne boasts a dynamic ecosystem for cancer research and innovation, with several key initiatives:
- The Hospital-University Federation CAMIn (Cancer-Microenvironment and Innovation), focused on oncology care pathways.
- The Cancéropôle Grand Ouest, which includes eight thematic research networks:
- CasTHor (Cancers and Hormone-Dependent Tissues),
- Immunotherapies,
- Marine Molecules, Metabolism, and Cancer (3MC),
- Tumor Niches and Epigenetics (NET),
- Pediatric Oncology in Western France,
- Social Sciences and Humanities (SHS),
- Vectorization, Imaging, Radiotherapy (VIR),
- Environmental and Societal Exposome.
- VitaDX (website) has developed a cutting-edge solution combining imaging and artificial intelligence for the early detection of bladder cancer.
What is your primary strength as an ecosystem?
The Brittany region boasts a highly dynamic ecosystem, bringing together innovative companies, world-class academic research, and leading healthcare institutions. What sets this ecosystem apart is its strong capacity for collaboration, both regionally and internationally.
For any inquiries about our ecosystem or to connect with key players in health innovation, feel free to contact the Biotech Santé Bretagne team: https://www.biotech-sante-bretagne.fr/en/service/accompanying-europe/
