DocCity plans to open 30 new ultra-modern medical centers across France by 2030, expanding its successful model of comprehensive healthcare facilities. We take you inside DocCity Suresnes for a closer look at the medical center and biotech hub combo.
DocCity, a key player in medical real estate, is expanding its operations in southeastern France with ambitious projects in Marseille and Toulon. Following the opening of the medical center in Fréjus in 2023, the company inaugurated a new facility in Toulon earlier this year. Simultaneously, DocCity has embarked on a major project to renovate an 8,000-square-meter building in Marseille, which will be the second DocCity location to house both a medical consultation center and a biotech research hub.
During our visit to DocCity Suresnes, we witnessed firsthand the innovative approach that founder Xavier Boutin, a former executive at Elsan, has brought to the healthcare sector. Established in 2020, DocCity offers a groundbreaking concept of health centers that unite various medical specialties under one roof.
The Marseille project, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2025, will become the largest site in the network. In addition to medical consultations, the facility will host biotech companies like its counterpart in Suresnes, further energizing the local ecosystem, especially in light of the recent national “Bioclusters” call for projects. Marseille Immunology Biocluster project won the call for projects, launched as part of France 2030, for a total state investment of €97 million.
As we await the opening of DocCity Marseille, our visit to Suresnes allowed us to get an on-site view of the complexities and benefits of such a center.
DocCity Suresness, a Medical Center and Biotech Hub
France, most notably Paris, has seen a rise in life science start-ups over the last few years. The city’s historical fabric renders it architecturally complicated when it comes to constructing labs, according to Paul Sarret, Innovations Manager at Biotech DocCity Paris.
“There’s a huge gap between what biotech startups ask for and what the Paris region can provide,” Paul Sarret said during our tour. “It’s hard to create high-quality labs in Paris, and it’s quite expensive. This building presented us with an opportunity to adapt it to include lab spaces.”
Could the inclusion of a biotech hub at DocCity Suresnes, located just outside Paris, be the solution? Opened in December 2022, it marks the company’s diversification into the life sciences sector. The facility is uniquely split between 3,500 square meters dedicated to medical consultations and an equal area designed for biopharmaceutical research and development.
DocCity LifeSciences, the first biocluster established by the DocCity group, offers state-of-the-art laboratories (L1 and L2) that adhere to the highest standards for biomedical research, particularly suited for biotech and medical device companies.
“In the L2, we have controlled pressure and temperature as well as access to medical fluids. As the safety and security ‘rule’ for this type of lab, we say that nothing comes out in terms of infection and nothing comes in. It’s a completely closed environment compared to what you’ll see with the L1s.”
On the other hand, DocCity’s original concept involves providing improved working conditions for medical professionals through high-class medical centers. The medical centers, such as the one in Suresnes, offer a comprehensive range of healthcare services. Among the specialized care available are sports medicine, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, general medicine, and a dedicated mother-and-child unit. The center also houses a state-of-the-art dental clinic, a balance and vertigo treatment center, and a laboratory for medical analyses, ensuring that patients have access to a wide spectrum of high-quality medical services in one convenient location.
Still, it’s the life sciences division that could reshape the healthcare and research landscape in Suresnes while setting the stage for similar projects across France. As the first “Totem” site for the group, DocCity Suresnes exemplifies the company’s ambition to facilitate healthcare access, improve the work environment for medical professionals, and support cutting-edge scientific research.
Specifications of DocCity LifeSciences
DocCity LifeSciences is designed to provide biotech companies with cutting-edge facilities that are crucial for their success. The labs, classified as L1 and L2, come fully equipped with essential resources such as cryogenic storage, backup freezers at -80°C, and comprehensive gas and medical fluid systems.
The service provided for DASRI involves the safe and compliant collection, handling, and disposal of this type of hazardous waste. “DASRI” stands for Déchets d’Activités de Soins à Risques Infectieux, which refers to medical waste that poses an infectious risk, such as used syringes, bandages, and other contaminated materials. The facilities are equipped with specialized systems to manage DASRI.
The center also provides customized support services, including assistance with clinical research, regulatory processes, and market access, all in collaboration with key stakeholders in the Île-de-France region.
In addition to the high-quality laboratory spaces, DocCity LifeSciences offers a full suite of services designed to ease the daily operations of biotech companies. These include on-site dining, meeting rooms, and comprehensive maintenance services. The facility also features event spaces, a rooftop area, and outdoor spaces that encourage collaboration and enhance employee well-being.
Located near major urban centers, DocCity LifeSciences provides an ideal work environment and connects companies to a vibrant ecosystem of local institutions, fostering professional synergies and facilitating innovation in the health sector.
In the House: Biotech Companies at Suresnes
The DocCity LifeSciences hub in Suresnes is home to a diverse array of innovative biotech and health-tech companies, each contributing to groundbreaking advancements in their respective fields. Among them is Curie, which recently joined the campus and launched its “CellAction” platform.
Phagos, specializing in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock, has grown to 30 employees with support from investors like Demeter and Hoxton. Numi, another resident, focuses on developing artificial breast milk through cell culture, aiming to address infant mortality in West Africa. Hepta Medical is at the forefront of MedTech, working on a temperature-guided catheter for non-invasive lung cancer treatment, while Gradient develops ultrasound catheter devices to treat heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension.
Part of the building is currently under construction to welcome a new tenant. Stay tuned.
This dynamic mix of companies underscores the cutting-edge research and development taking place at DocCity Suresnes, fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives. Building on the success of existing centers like Suresnes, DocCity plans to expand significantly with the opening of 30 new centers by 2030. Each new center, including those already secured in cities like Clermont-Ferrand and Strasbourg, will embody DocCity’s commitment to enhancing both patient care and the working environment for healthcare professionals. With over €100 million invested and 25,000 m² of space secured nationwide since 2020, DocCity is rapidly transforming the landscape of urban healthcare in France.
