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National Programs

The MONO-CHEM Project

Led by Gustave Roussy with the support of a consortium, the MONO-CHEM research project aims to develop a new generation of cell therapy.

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Expertise in cellular immunotherapies based on modified monocytes

MONO-CHEM aims to develop, by 2030, leading expertise in France in the still largely unexplored field of cell immunotherapies based on modified monocytes.

This initiative is part of the national strategy led by France 2030: 

  • Fostering the emergence of new scientific and industrial experts in biotherapies

  • Strengthen France’s autonomy in bioproduction 

  • Accelerate the rollout of innovative therapies to patients

A Plan to Promote Innovation

France 2030 is an investment plan launched by the government. It aims to boost industrial competitiveness and foster new technologies, accelerate the green transition, and strengthen the country's sovereignty by 2030.

Monocytes: A Source of Hope for Treatment

Current therapies use modified T cells (CAR-T), which are highly effective against blood cancers but significantly less effective against solid tumors. This is due to tumors’ ability to hide, block access by immune cells, and neutralize them.

To overcome these limitations, MONO-CHEM relies on monocytes. These immune cells can easily migrate to tumors and infiltrate tissues, allowing them to directly eliminate cancer cells. MONO-CHEM’s goal is to develop and produce universal CAR-monocytes.

Monocytes

A consortium of complementary partners

Coordinated by Gustave Roussy, MONO-CHEM is a consortium. Led by Jean-Luc Perfettini, research director at Inserm and co-director of the Joint Research Unit UMR 1030 “Molecular Radiotherapy and Therapeutic Innovation” and Alexandre Detappe, a researcher in nanomedicine, in collaboration with the National Center for Precision Medicine in Oncology (IHU PRISM), the consortium brings together: 

  • Inserm and the University of Lille, with Suman Mitra, a researcher 

  • The MTInov/Nancy University Hospital/CNRS/University of Lorraine consortium, with Véronique Décot, professor of cell biology and hospital physician, and Éric Olmos, professor of biotechnology process engineering

  • The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), with Benoît Favier, a researcher in immunology 

3 million euros in funding 

In 2026, the MONO-CHEM project secured 3 million euros in funding over four years, following a call for proposals issued by the Priority Research Program and Equipment (PEPR) “Biotherapies and Bioproduction of Innovative Therapies” (BBTI), led by Inserm and the CEA. This program is funded as part of France 2030 and the “Biotherapies and Bioproduction of Innovative Therapies” acceleration strategy coordinated by the Health Innovation Agency (AIS).

This recognition highlights the Institute’s ability to lead and bring together research initiatives of national importance, directly aligned with France’s strategic priorities for scientific and industrial sovereignty.

See also