Gustave Roussy, Europe’s leading center for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education, has announced €150 million investment in a 32,000 sq. m. research complex, scheduled for 2028. This investment is part of a broader ambition to cure 80% of cancer patients by 2040.
Located in Villejuif and Chevilly-Larue, just outside Paris, the Institute additionally plans to invest €375 million in new equipment dedicated to care and research by 2030. This amount aims to strengthen its real estate projects in a rapidly expanding district.
The Institute aspires to become the French “Kendall Square”, in reference to the Boston community dedicated to biotechnologies. Prof. Fabrice Barlesi, General Director of Gustave Roussy, emphasizes the importance of transforming research into therapeutic products for patients.
Estimated to be worth €150 million, the future research complex will be the center’s largest investment project, playing host to research in immunology, oncology and data analysis to promote exchanges between teams. Recruitment is also planned to complement the current teams, with the laying of the first stone scheduled for February 2025.
Reflections on Gustave-Roussy’s Chevilly-Larue site
This isn’t the only major project that Gustave-Roussy will be tackling. Between 2025 and 2030, the institution will also continue the renovation of its main building dating from the 1980s.
“We spend an average of €20 million per year to renovate our fifteen floors,” says Sylvain Ducroz, Deputy General Director of the Institute. Oncology is the most recent department to have benefited from this work.
Simultaneously, discussions are underway on the future of the branch in nearby Chevilly-Larue. With only 150 employees, out of 3 300 in total, the site is primarily dedicated to administration and support care within the new “My Care” center opened in October 2024.
“The administrative teams at Chevilly-Larue will be repatriated to Villejuif by 2027,” explains M. Ducroz. At this stage, the future of part that will no longer be used is still under discussion. “There’s no firm decision been made about this site,” he says.
These numerous investments are ensured by self-financing of up to €190 million, debt and philanthropy. The establishment also benefits from state support up to €30 million.
This new equipment will be added to that under construction as part of the development of the Paris-Saclay Cancer Cluster, of which the Gustave-Roussy Institute is one of the five founding members. It’s a way of bringing together in one place the ecosystem of startups, laboratories, businesses and researchers to fight against cancer.
A model for healthcare in France
With its ambitious investments and development projects, Gustave-Roussy positions itself as a model in the French health sector. By aiming to become a leading research and care center, the Institute is playing its part in strengthening French excellence in the fight against cancer. These initiatives demonstrate France’s commitment to innovate and excel in the field of research and care, thereby attracting the attention and association of national and international partners.