Sophia Antipolis and BioNegev, the two respective leading innovation-clusters in France and Israel are proclaiming their intent to enter into a collaborative agreement towards joint establishment and nurturing of successful early-stage life science and other knowledge intensive ventures.

Sophia Antipolis, established in 1969 by Senator Pierre Laffitte together with a group of scientists and KOLs around the University of Nice, has become a multicultural, multidisciplinary community focused on innovation which serves as the model for the establishment of competitiveness clusters in France. It is home to the most forward-looking industries and value-creating businesses.  Sophia Antipolis is among the leading R&D hubs in Europe and remains as appealing as ever to companies and research facilities specialized in information technology, life sciences, environmental sciences and fine chemicals. The park includes eight competitiveness clusters and attracts a range of skills that is unique in Europe, alongside major public research organizations, such as CNRS, INRIA, INRA and INSERM. Sophia Antipolis is currently in the process of establishing a dedicated biomedical incubator.

BioNegev  was founded recently under the guidance of BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi, to capitalize on the world renowned academic achievements  of Ben-Gurion University and Soroka University Medical Center, creating  added economic value to the region of the Negev and contributing its knowhow to its sister clusters in Europe. BioNegev will represent the joint efforts of BGU, Soroka University Medical Center, the National Institute of Biotechnology of the Negev, and other regional entities within various European Commission Seventh Framework programs (EC FP7), Competitiveness and Innovation Programs CIP and other EC Innovation related efforts. It also serves as full member in CEBR, the Council of European Bio-regions, representing the State of Israel in CEBR's steering committee. 

This joint effort will bring together the Israeli entrepreneurial spirit and forward looking innovation and the vast richness of infrastructure, resources and skills in France. The potential collaboration is a direct outcome of the first official visit of a delegation of leading French bio-clusters to Israel last summer, which was followed shortly thereafter by a joint proclamation between Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.