Marseille is particularly renowned in the academic and private sectors in the field of immunology, with major state-funded projects and some of the best hospital facilities in France. But Marseille is also a large campus—Luminy—on the edge of the famous calanques in an idyllic setting, offering a range of academic expertise (32 research laboratories, including CNRS, INSERM, INRA, IRD, CEA with 1,500 researchers specializing in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, business, and cutting-edge technology, and six grandes écoles with a recognized training center (CIRM). It is a rich environment in every respect, where it is good to live and work.
The IBEN project will fill a gap, namely the urgent need to translate all this potential for academic discoveries into technological and therapeutic applications. Indeed, the bridge that is essential to this endeavor of translating discoveries into applications that benefit society is missing. Furthermore, with public research funding deteriorating everywhere, including in the US, young doctoral and post-doctoral students are seeking to invest in the private sector in order to try their luck in innovation.
The Ben-Ari Institute for Innovation (IBEN) will make a massive contribution to this demand. It is based on more than 40 years of academic research by its founder, who has headed large units and institutes at INSERM and, for 12 years, has authored more than 530 scientific publications, earning him numerous awards and making him one of the three most cited French neuroscientists. For more information: https://leblogdebenari.com/politique_recherche/. This was followed by 12 years of applied research with the creation of start-ups specialising in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases, from the initial idea to phase 3 (particularly in autism). This long journey has provided a better understanding of the difficulties involved in the transition from academia to the private sector and the need for support and advice. IBEN is the result of this long journey and will include everything needed to simplify and help it succeed.
IBEN is an innovation center on the edge of the Calanques, where everything has been designed to provide an appropriate setting for innovation.
Designed by Rudy Ricciotti, architect of the MUCEM and one of France’s leading architects, the building features clean lines inspired by the Calanques landscape and incorporates sustainable materials such as stone and sculpted concrete. The abundance of natural light will foster an atmosphere conducive to concentration and creativity for researchers and entrepreneurs. The project also aims to obtain dual environmental certification, RE2020 and BREEAM Excellent, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and occupant comfort. Construction will be carried out by Eiffage, a company specializing in this type of construction, and organized and partially financed by Tivoli Capital, which specializes in turnkey office and business premises solutions.
Designed to meet the specific needs of innovative life sciences companies, IBEN will offer a working environment that is technical, flexible and pleasant to live in. The interior spaces have been designed to maximize interaction between residents. Companies will find state-of-the-art turnkey laboratories on site and all the services essential to their scientific activities: technical fluids, biological waste treatment, laundry, secure storage, high-speed internet, security, maintenance, as well as personalized support on regulatory, legal, and intellectual property issues. IBEN will offer plug-and-play laboratories for companies that need to set up quickly, and customized platforms to meet the needs of more mature structures. At its heart, a 200 m² AGORA will serve as a village square with a cafeteria, relaxation areas, a wellness area, and shared meeting rooms. The Institute will also be a place for dialogue between science and art, with a permanent exhibition of sculptures and works of art integrated into the project.
Offers and call for startups to apply
IBEN is a 6,430 m² building on four levels. The ground floor is the base of the building, with research modules that can only be located on this level (heavy and sensitive equipment, animal facilities, laundry, biological waste, video rooms, etc.). Next, the first and second floors have fully equipped laboratories available on request with workbenches, L1 and L2; fume hoods, meeting rooms, etc. The third and fourth floors are dedicated to custom-built laboratories and therefore remain empty (with all electrical, plumbing, and IT connections, etc.), leaving it up to the occupant to furnish them as they wish. Prices are among the lowest in France, at around €240 excl. VAT/m2/year for empty spaces and €365 excl. VAT/year, plus around €35 excl. VAT/m2/year for utilities. We offer customized solutions for each company. At this stage, the company submits a proposal detailing the space and requirements it needs, and we send it a detailed plan of what it will get and a contract based on the plan is signed, committing the company to pay the rent once the building is completed, so no payment is due until then (target opening date is early 2027). Approximately 30% of the building remains available, with part of the ground floor already leased.
What makes this project unique?
It is unique in its construction and its organization, which is based on the idea of exchange and the sharing of a wide range of expertise, with a passion for discovery and success, and expert advice to help overcome the difficult phases that generally cause delays (patents, search for sources of funding, and advertising for this purpose). IBEN will have a well-organized website focusing on the companies located there and offering high-speed internet connections and shared dedicated servers. It is unique due to its location overlooking LUMINY, just a few meters from superb hiking trails in the calanques, and its collection of artworks on display and traveling exhibitions that will be organized; art enriches innovation….
