Christine Clerici, President of Université de Paris, and Stewart Cole, Director General of the Institut Pasteur, have formalised the cooperation between their institutions in pursuit of a concerted and shared scientific strategy. The two institutions aim to co-develop and strengthen areas of mutual interest in basic and translational research as well as in teaching. The fields of biology and emerging infectious diseases, resistance to microbial agents and vaccinology are the first objectives identified for future projects and structural programmes.
The Institut Pasteur is a leader in biological research, particularly in the fields of infectious diseases, cell biology, immunology, developmental biology and neuroscience.
Université de Paris is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, research-intensive university with significant strengths in health and biology grounded on an interdisciplinary approach that combines experimental, natural, and formal sciences, as well as the humanities and social sciences in all their diversity.
This partnership enables to build a concerted and shared scientific strategy that will be based on the strengthening and co-development of the existing themes within the two establishments, both in fundamental and translational research.
Both institutions have recognised expertise in the field of infectious diseases, with approximately two-thirds of the Institut Pasteur's research potential and a strong legacy of research and medical care within Université de Paris' Faculty of Health.
While both institutions share areas of excellence such as microbiology, immunology, structural biology, chemistry, there will be mutually beneficial synergies developed in the fields of developmental biology, cell biology, neurosciences, “hard” sciences, humanities and social sciences.
The joint scientific strategy will be characterised by a thorough integration of basic research and clinical research, and supported notably by Université de Paris' university hospital facilities located in the north and center of Paris (Necker, Cochin, HEGP, Saint-Louis, Lariboisière, Bichat).
Finally, the association between Université de Paris and the Institut Pasteur has strong ambitions for its international outreach. With its 33 members spread over 5 continents, the Pasteur Network is an asset with high potential in this field.
A partnership based on a long lasting collaboration and strong ties in training and research
The existing collaborations between Université de Paris and the Institut Pasteur are extensive. There are currently several joint teams already in place and Université de Paris is presently the supervisor of eight Institut Pasteur units. In addition, there are already joint curricula between the two institutions. Finally, 25% of the Institut Pasteur's publications are now being co-authored with Université de Paris.
The pooling of both human, technological resources and the sharing of expertise is already firmly in place, and will be thus strengthened by this association between the two institutions.
For the benefit of the entire community
This partnership will benefit the communities of both institutions: researchers and students will see their mobility facilitated, new technological platforms will be set up, and new research structures will emerge. In addition, interdisciplinary approaches to global health issues could be developed.
These enhancements will contribute to expanding the impact of both institutions in achieving their missions.
“This is an ambitious partnership that is taking shape today. Together, the Université de Paris and the Institut Pasteur want to position themselves as a key force in biology and health, both nationally and internationally," stated Christine Clerici, President of Université de Paris.”
"Becoming a partner organisation of a university represents a major step forward in the history of Institut Pasteur. I am delighted with this cooperation with Université de Paris, which now allows us to be fully involved in this new dynamic and to gain in diversity and agility, in the service of our missions." Stewart Cole, Director General of the Institut Pasteur, added.
Université de Paris and the Institut Pasteur partnership: a balanced governance
The Institut Pasteur becomes a "partner research organisation" of Université de Paris. This statute guarantees mutual respect for the institutional, scientific and budgetary autonomy of both partners.
The partnership results in balanced governance, with the presence of presidents on the boards of directors of both institutions and reciprocal representation in the academic senate of Université de Paris and the Institut Pasteur Foundation Assembly.
The revised statutes of each institution have been approved by their respective boards and will be the result of decrees.