URGO, the CNRS and Lyon 1 University inaugurated the OLYMPE joint laboratory on April 1st, 2026 – the first laboratory in France fully dedicated to the prevention, care and healing of wounds.
This laboratory marks a new milestone in a scientific collaboration initiated over 15 years ago between URGO and public research institutions. It will bring together nearly 40 researchers, clinicians and engineers over a six-year period, all working toward a shared objective: to better understand healing mechanisms and accelerate the development of innovative therapeutic solutions for patients.
A scientific partnership of excellence serving patients
OLYMPE is built on a unique complementarity of expertise:
- The CNRS and Lyon 1 University, through the Laboratory of Tissue Biology and Therapeutic Engineering (LBTI), contribute their expertise in tissue biology, pathophysiology and therapeutic engineering.
- URGO brings its industrial and clinical expertise in the management of complex and chronic wounds.
Together, these capabilities enable the exploration of new approaches to better understand, prevent and treat skin fragility.
A major public health challenge
Chronic wounds represent a significant public health issue. In France, they affect nearly 2 million people and have a major impact on patients’ quality of life, autonomy and healthcare systems.
In response to this challenge, OLYMPE aims to significantly advance scientific knowledge and translate these advances into concrete innovations for patients, particularly in the management of:
- Leg ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Diabetic foot
Advancing understanding to drive innovation
The work of the joint laboratory will focus on three main research areas:
- Deepening the understanding of biological tissues, their organization and their pathological environments
- Studying tissue responses to physiological and mechanical stress (inflammation, aging, pressure, stretching)
- Developing and improving existing therapeutic devices, while exploring new approaches to care and prevention
The objective is clear: to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into tangible therapeutic solutions for patients.
A long-standing collaboration reaching a new scale
OLYMPE builds on a long-term partnership between URGO, the CNRS and Lyon 1 University. This collaboration has already led to numerous research projects, scientific publications, PhDs and patented innovations in the field of wound healing.
With OLYMPE, this dynamic is scaling up:
- A structured six-year research program
- Up to six research projects per year
- Integration of a training component to support future expertise in wound healing and regenerative medicine
In a context of rising chronic diseases and an aging population, this joint laboratory represents a strategic lever to strengthen health research in France and accelerate innovation for patients.
A shared vision for healthcare innovation
“The CNRS welcomes the creation of the OLYMPE joint laboratory, a new milestone in a strong and trusted relationship with the URGO Group, built through numerous scientific collaborations since 2009. Dedicated to the study of biological tissues and the development of therapeutic solutions for skin disorders and wound healing, this LabCom perfectly illustrates the complementarity between public research and industrial innovation” said Mehdi Gmar.
“With OLYMPE, we are scaling up: by joining forces with the CNRS and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, we are creating the conditions to transform scientific advances into concrete solutions for patients” added Guirec Le Lous.
“The OLYMPE joint laboratory reflects Lyon 1 University’s ambition: to combine scientific excellence and industrial innovation in the service of patients” emphasized Bruno Lina.