France, an attractive country for international clinical research: 2010 survey assessed by Leem (French association of pharmaceutical companies)

In order to evaluate the attractiveness of France for conducting international clinical trials, a survey is performed every two years among pharmaceutical companies that are based in France or have affiliates in France. Twenty-nine companies (72% of the French market) including 10 newly participants, have participated in the current survey which included 328 international phase II and III clinical studies, 79 countries, 24,337 centres and 249,704 patients (included in 2008/2009). France (291 patients/million inhabitants) ranked among the best European recruiters in second position behind Scandinavia. Since 2008, protocols are still to be given the go-ahead by French Authorities (Afssaps and CPP) within 60 days, in accordance with European directive. The continuation of reduction in deadlines for hospital contracts is encouraging and highlights the positive effect of CeNGEPS. French state-of-art is well recognized in Oncology/Hematology and Orphan disease which could be an example to improve the competitiveness of France in other key therapeutic areas such as Alzheimer's disease and Immuno-Inflammation.