Global Care Initiative(GCI), a consortium of five nonprofit French research institutes, intends to have a representative in Boston, Mass., as it expands in search of U.S. life science research partners.

GCI said this Boston presence will provide better accessibility to American partners. Global Care combines strong skill sets, recognized IP and unique technology platforms in their offering. The consortium functions as a one-stop shop to life sciences companies and research organizations that seek effective R&D partnerships.

The consortium currently runs more than 200 overseas contracts in oncology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neurology. Recent successes include the international phase III trials and registration for Rituximab (a chimeric monoclonal antibody with over $4 billion turnover in lymphoma) and the creation of Fovea Pharmaceuticals, a spin-off of the Institut de la Vision, acquired by Sanofiin 2009. The scientists of the consortium also were involved in the first discovery of HIV 1 and 2 and the first development of associated diagnostic tests for HIV.

Global Care has extensive partnership experience with major U.S. pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech companies, including Pfizer and Bio-Rad. It has led a wide range of innovative projects, including the identification of biomarkers, vaccine and therapeutics development and improvements in diagnostic and imagery tools.

The consortium provides support at any stage, from basic research through late clinical phases. It offers external access to European markets through international KOLs and a range of strategic hospitals and medical staff. Dedicated teams provide specific support on project management, R&D, legal and finance, as required.

“Our one-stop-shop approach makes us a first choice to address the three biggest markets in the biomedical field, namely oncology, infectious diseases and central nervous systems diseases, as well as to address unmet medical needs,” said Pascal Deschaseaux, general manager at CALYM, a member nonprofit. “Fields like lymphoma or ophthalmology are expanding quickly in a fast market. We work alongside international leaders in both of these sectors.”

“Our institutes have unique industrial experience in their specific fields: chemical medicine at the Institut Curie, the originator of the Curie therapy; large multi-centric clinical trials at CALYM; medtech focus at the Institut de la Vision; imaging expertise at ICM; and fast mobilization during public health crises for Institut Pasteur,” said Damien Salauze, vice president, business development and licensing at Institut Curie.

“We are delighted to have a location in the U.S. where the ever-expanding and innovative life sciences market matches our vision of great science in the service of public health,” said Jean-Philippe Arie, chief operating officer at Global Care. “Our facility in Boston will generate strong R&D collaborations with both the industry and RTOs. We also would like to attract new talent to our team.”