In a major step for scientific collaboration, the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) and France’s Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) have formalised a strategic agreement to strengthen Monaco’s role in international clinical research. The signing ceremony, held on February 7, 2025, at the Ministry of State, was attended by key officials, including Christophe Robino, Minister of Social Affairs and Health; Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior; Professor Patrick Rampal, President of CSM; and Professor Didier Samuel, CEO of INSERM.
This partnership marks the launch of the Monaco Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (M-CRIN), a new initiative hosted by the CSM that will integrate the Principality’s researchers and medical professionals into F-CRIN, France’s national clinical research infrastructure. Established in 2012, F-CRIN has been instrumental in elevating France’s global standing in clinical research, supporting large-scale studies on conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and rare illnesses. By linking Monaco’s scientific expertise with F-CRIN’s extensive network, M-CRIN will provide researchers with enhanced resources, training, and regulatory support to conduct cutting-edge medical trials.
A key objective of this agreement is to foster multinational collaboration. F-CRIN plays a critical role in coordinating cross-border studies through ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network), and Monaco’s inclusion in this ecosystem is expected to boost the Principality’s medical innovation efforts. Beyond facilitating new research opportunities, M-CRIN will serve as a hub for clinical investigation, connecting Monaco’s medical community with leading specialists across Europe.
Professor Samuel emphasised the global significance of this collaboration, highlighting F-CRIN’s mission to optimise clinical research structures and improve international competitiveness. Christophe Robino echoed this sentiment, noting that while Monaco has conducted various medical studies, this partnership will streamline the approval and execution of research protocols, ultimately enhancing the country’s medical research ecosystem.
The creation of M-CRIN aligns with Monaco’s broader ambition to attract top medical talent and position itself as a leader in scientific advancement. Professor Rampal underscored that this initiative represents a turning point for the CSM, which has expanded its biomedical research efforts over the past 15 years. With M-CRIN, Monaco’s researchers will not only gain access to world-class infrastructure but also play an active role in shaping the future of medical science on an international scale.
