As a French and worldwide leader in life sciences and health, the Lyon metropolitan area values and promotes a constant balance between human, animal and environmental health. It is home to key players in both the public and private sectors, and offers centres of excellence in innovation. It is a genuine driver of the local economy.


Research and innovation to promote a quality life in good health

In Lyon, the life sciences and healthcare sector is not limited to developing cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of healthcare professionals and patients. It also brings together innovative collaborative projects in the health, medical, social and prevention spheres.

In the Lyon area, the sector focuses on all issues related to maintaining a quality life in good health.

Our vision: a combined approach to care, health and quality of life.

The Lyon area is home to many renowned players in the field, from fundamental research to businesses, in a variety of spheres:

  • immunology and infectiology, including vaccines and diagnostics
  • oncology
  • neurosciences
  • cosmetic dermatology, namely tissue engineering and 3D bio-printing
  • nutrition and health
  • medical technologies, particularly in orthopaedics and medical textiles
  • veterinary public health, with the world’s 1st hub in the field (Hub VPH).

Life sciences and Health in numbers

  • 79,330 jobs 
    • 49,750 jobs in human health (source: Insee-Flores, 31/12/2020)
    • 14,400 jobs in the biotech-pharma-medtech sector (source: Urssaf, 31/12/2021)
  • 2,100 establishments with employees (source: Insee-Sirene, 01/2018)
  • 1,600 clinical trials conducted every year by the Lyon civil hospices

These companies chose Lyon and its region

  • Adocia
  • Aguettant
  • Arrow
  • Baxter
  • bioMérieux
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Charles River
  • CTI Biotech
  • Edelris
  • Enyo Pharma
  • Episkin
  • Gattefossé
  • Medtronic
  • Merck
  • NAMSA
  • Phaxiam
  • Poxel
  • ResMed
  • Sanofi
  • Theranexus
  • Thuasne
  • Viatris

A favourable environment for businesses in the sector

Birthplace of healthcare, medical and social organisations, research institutes and world-renowned pharmaceutical firms, Lyon and its region are at the forefront of developments in health and life sciences. The area is home to world leaders, specialised SMEs and innovative start-ups.

A full ecosystem

Collaborative by design, the local ecosystem covers the entire value chain, from fundamental research to the marketing of goods and services:

Fields of excellence in research and care

The Lyon area boasts top-flight institutes, laboratories, and research and care centres in the fields of immunology & infectiology, oncology, neurosciences and nutrition.

A world-class competitiveness cluster federates the sector

The Lyonbiopôle innovation cluster federates and drives the health ecosystem in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Bringing together a community of over 200 players from the public and private sectors, it supports projects and companies in the health sphere.

Lyonbiopôle

Interactive map

See the key players, companies and research institutes in the life sciences and health sector on our interactive map.

Essential networking opportunities

Entrepreneurs in the sector, their financial, scientific, clinical and technical partners, gather regularly in Greater Lyon at the BioTuesdays event.

This informal networking event for professionals in the life sciences and health sector is held every other month and attracts an average of 150 professionals each time.

Would you like to meet your future partners and expand your network?

Join the BioTuedays community

Two major sites for the health sector in the Lyon area

Two geographical areas bring together a host of public and private life sciences and health organisations in greater Lyon. These flagship sites offer optimal conditions for development and innovation.

Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict 

The Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict, a breeding ground for biotechnological innovation and bio-industries. Major players (companies, laboratories, institutions) have premises here and can take advantage of high-level facilities such as the Inserm Jean Mérieux Bio-safety Level 4 Lab and the Biosciences federative research structure (SFR Biosciences).

Location: 7th district of Lyon

Lyon-Gerland Biodistrict

Lyon Bioparc 

Lyon Bioparc, where intelligence and health meet. Designed to accommodate 40,000 sq. metres of offices and laboratories, this site offers an exceptional working environment for R&D.

Location: 8th district of Lyon

Lyon Bioparc

At your service

If you are in the health or life sciences business, our experts are here to help you develop your projects in the Lyon region.

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Discover the episode of the podcasts “Les Rayonnants” dedicated to the health sector in the Lyon region, offered by ONLYLYON Invest.

Discover the 5th and final episode of our podcast series ‘Les Rayonnants’, dedicated to the healthcare sector in the Lyon region.

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