Monaco Clinical Research Infrastructure Network: the formalization of a large-scale collaboration between CSM and INSERM

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the Monaco Scientific Centre (CSM) and the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) formalized their collaboration by signing a strategic memorandum of understanding at the Ministry of State, in the presence of Mr. Christophe ROBINO, Minister-Counselor for Social Affairs and Health; Mr. Lionel BEFFRE, Minister-Counselor for the Interior; Professor Patrick RAMPAL, President of the Monaco Scientific Centre, and Professor Didier SAMUEL, CEO of INSERM.
With this signing, CSM and INSERM combine their expertise to advance an internationally significant project for clinical research.
Indeed, the French Clinical Research Infrastructure F-CRIN, founded in 2012 and supported by INSERM, has become a key player in clinical research in France thanks to its extensive network of experts and partners. This organization of excellence aims to strengthen the competitiveness of French clinical research internationally, identify and certify research networks, facilitate the implementation of academic or industrial clinical trials, and develop researchers’ expertise by sharing know-how, goals, and resources.
Its research focus is on diseases of international significance, such as Parkinson’s disease, severe asthma, thrombosis, multiple sclerosis, retinal diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiology, strokes, to name just a few, as well as rare diseases and medical devices.
F-CRIN is a true model of integrative organization, unique in France and Europe, acting both as an incubator to help clinical research networks reach their full maturity and as a catalyst for uniting a community committed to a collaborative scientific approach. F-CRIN also facilitates multinational clinical trials for ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network), further enhancing the impact of European research.
The Monaco Scientific Centre, founded in 1960 by Prince Rainier III, is a public institution recognized internationally for the quality of scientific research, both basic and applied, conducted across its three leading departments, as well as for the scientific publications of its researchers. This center’s approach is unique for its multidisciplinary and cross-cutting focus between its Departments of Marine, Polar, and Medical Biology, centered around a general theme: the preservation of human and environmental health.
The partnership between INSERM and CSM aims to strengthen clinical research in Monaco through the creation of M-CRIN (Monaco Clinical Research Infrastructure Network), which will serve as a new relay for F-CRIN-certified thematic networks.
This Monegasque association, hosted by CSM, brings together researchers and doctors from the Principality who wish to develop their clinical research activities in collaboration with F-CRIN.

This strategic agreement aims to:
• Foster a collaborative dynamic by promoting ambitious and innovative projects in the field of human health.
• Connect M-CRIN researchers with F-CRIN-certified networks to share expertise and common practices.
• Offer high-quality support through F-CRIN’s shared services, such as legal expertise, quality assurance, communication, and training.
• Facilitate regulatory compliance for research projects, particularly in clinical promotion activities.

A collective commitment to scientific excellence
The protocol is based on a shared vision: to integrate Monegasque medical teams into an ambitious collective scientific approach and enable them to participate in large-scale international clinical research.
A monitoring committee, composed of members from the three partners, will oversee the development of this collaboration. This committee will meet annually to assess progress and define new directions.
This partnership represents a dual opportunity: for Monaco to strengthen its role in clinical research and scientific innovation, relying on the recognized expertise and resources of a research infrastructure, and for F-CRIN, to integrate new centers and teams into its certified networks.

Professor SAMUEL welcomed the signing of this agreement and expressed his pleasure at the creation of the M-CRIN network, “which will allow clinical research to progress, just as F-CRIN does, playing a key role in research in France and extending its reach in Europe through its partner network E-CRIN.” He also emphasized that “these networks are dedicated to structuring and optimizing clinical research, which is a major lever to improve our competitiveness.”

The Government Advisor-Minister for Social Affairs and Health, Christophe ROBINO, specified that “numerous studies have been conducted so far in Monegasque healthcare establishments, but the promotion and validation of research protocols was still an issue.
This collaboration between CSM and INSERM will facilitate this through M-CRIN.” He then thanked Professor Patrick RAMPAL for his contribution as President of the Monaco Scientific Centre in the development of clinical research in the Principality, which led to the creation of M-CRIN and with whom he had the opportunity to discuss this subject during his medical career.

“This agreement is very important. It represents a major challenge because it is part of activities that, beyond bringing progress in medicine, create an incentive for doctors to come and work in establishments that focus on clinical research. The M-CRIN network will therefore enhance the attractiveness of Monaco’s medical sector.”

Professor RAMPAL concluded the signing by reminding everyone that CSM has diversified in the last fifteen years “into the biomedical field, developing two key areas: translational research and clinical research, creating a Monegasque PHRC. The M-CRIN network will improve coordination and professionalization of local clinical research, but it will also allow scientific and medical stakeholders in Monaco to participate in international research programs.”

For more information: https://www.fcrin.org/